Month: September 2025

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, on Thursday advised the BJP-led Central government to take a lesson from the recent violence in Leh, Ladakh.

The unrest stemmed from long-standing demands for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule. In a press conference, Farooq attributed the violence to frustration over unfulfilled promises, emphasising that similar assurances had been made to Jammu and Kashmir regarding statehood.

He stressed the unrest reflects local grievances, not external influences, highlighting Sonam Wangchuk’s peaceful protests, including a hunger strike and barefoot march from Leh to Delhi.

The JKNC chief also warned of risks in border areas, such as Ladakh, especially with China’s destabilisation efforts, and urged the Centre to engage in sincere talks with the people of Ladakh to address their aspirations and prevent further escalation.

According to him, the violence left four people dead and over 80 injured, including police personnel. Protesters torched the BJP office, police vehicles, and other buildings; police responded with tear gas and live fire.

“The reason behind the violence was that he (Sonam Wangchuk) was on a hunger strike for 14 days… For five years, he has been silently protesting over there that they should be listed in the sixth schedule and also be granted statehood. He even walked barefoot from Leh to Delhi to make himself seen… The youth might have thought that the promises made five years ago were all hollow. As a result, they couldn’t contain their discontent and chose the path of violence. They burned the BJP office, police vehicles, and many other buildings. Police had to use guns and as per reports, four people have died and many are serious. 60-80 people are injured and undergoing treatment… This kind of incident happening in a border state is dangerous for national security, especially when China is always trying to destabilise the country… This should be resolved at the earliest without waiting for another spark. I dont think there is anyone behind this incident… This is the voice of the locals… The government should learn a lesson from this. They had promised J&K as well, that statehood will be given after delimitation and elections… They should learn from Ladakh,” he told ANI.

The unrest followed a 14-day hunger strike by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been peacefully protesting for these demands for five years, even undertaking a notable barefoot walk from Leh to Delhi.

Authorities in Leh have imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, following protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh that turned violent, leading to clashes with the police.

According to an order from the District Magistrate, an assembly of five or more persons is banned in the district; no procession, rally or march is to be carried out without prior written approval in Leh.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, chaired a high-level security review meeting on Thursday to assess the situation following protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status that turned violent, resulting in clashes with the police.

He emphasised the need for heightened vigilance, stronger inter-agency coordination, and proactive measures to ensure peace, security, and public order throughout the Union Territory.

Earlier in the day, Legal Adviser of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, Haji Ghulam Mustafa, condemned the violence during Ladakh protests, and said that their protests over the past five years have been peaceful and that the government has been cooperative throughout.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on September 10, demanding the 6th Schedule and statehood for Ladakh.

It is well known that the Government of India has been actively engaged with the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance on the same issues. A series of meetings was held with them through the formal channels of the High-Powered Committee, as well as the Sub-committee, and multiple informal meetings with leaders.

The process of dialogue through this mechanism has yielded phenomenal results, increasing reservations for the Ladakh scheduled tribe from 45% to 84%, providing one-third of the seats in the councils for women, and declaring Bhoti and Purgi as official languages. With this process, recruitment for 1,800 posts was also commenced.

However, certain politically motivated individuals were unhappy with the progress made under HPC and have been attempting to sabotage the dialogue process. The next meeting of the High-Powered Committee has been scheduled for 6th October. Meetings are also planned for 25th and 26th September with leaders from Ladakh.

People of Ladakh have been demanding the inclusion of the Union Territory in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution contains Article 244(2) and 275(1), which reads, “Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.” (ANI)

Spain and Italy have sent naval vessels into the Mediterranean to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is carrying aid towards Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.

Italy confirmed on Thursday it was sending a second ship, while Spain said its navy would also join the mission. The announcement came after the flotilla came under a drone attack in international waters while en route to deliver aid to Gaza. Rome had already deployed a frigate following the attack, according to Al Jazeera.

“We have sent one ship and another is on its way, ready for any eventuality,” Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told the lower house of parliament.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said his country’s navy would act alongside Italy. Speaking to reporters in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Sanchez said international law must be upheld and the rights of citizens from 45 nations participating in the aid mission should be safeguarded.

“The government of Spain demands that international law be complied with and that the right of its citizens to navigate the Mediterranean under safe conditions be respected,” Sanchez said. “Tomorrow we will dispatch a naval vessel from Cartagena with all necessary resources in case it is necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out a rescue operation.”

Activists said Israeli drones and aircraft carried out a wave of attacks on Wednesday night, targeting multiple vessels. Flotilla organisers described it as “an alarmingly dangerous escalation.” According to passengers, low-flying drones dropped flashbang-type explosives and other “unidentified objects” on and near boats. Deliberate radio jamming also disrupted communication among the ships, Al Jazeera reported.

Following the incident, the Italian navy said a frigate would be sent to assist in any rescue operations, with Crosetto condemning the attacks. Two Italian opposition lawmakers are among those on board the flotilla, which organisers said now includes nearly 50 civilian boats carrying aid supplies.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed that “Italian citizens, along with members of parliament and MEPs,” are in the flotilla. The group also includes human rights activists, lawyers, journalists, and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

“To ensure their safety, the foreign ministry had already notified Israeli authorities that any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution,” the ministry said. “Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board,” it added.

In a statement, the GSF said Israeli intimidation attempts would not succeed and urged UN member states attending the UNGA to put the attacks on the agenda. “This mission is about Gaza, it isn’t about us. And no risks that we could take could even come close to the risks the Palestinians are facing every day,” one participant said in a video call from on board.

However, Crosetto urged the flotilla to avoid entering Gaza’s territorial waters. He suggested activists accept Italy’s proposal to hand over the aid to the Catholic Church in Gaza for distribution. “We cannot guarantee the safety of our fellow citizens if they enter the territorial waters of other countries,” he warned, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt embarked on a spiritual journey to Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, seeking blessings at the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

Visuals from inside the temple show the actor taking part in the puja rituals and appearing deeply immersed in devotion alongside fellow visitors. Seated at the front, Sanjay was dressed in a simple ethnic attire as he made the visit amid the ongoing Navratri festivities.

The actor also attended Bhasm Aarti at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. He arrived at the temple premises during the early morning hours, surrounded by heavy security and temple authorities.

The Mahakaleshwar Temple, situated on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain, holds immense religious significance as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

The Bhasm Aarti is one of the most revered rituals at the Mahakaleshwar Temple, performed during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta, between 3:30 and 5:30 AM. According to temple traditions, the ritual begins with the opening of Baba Mahakal’s doors in the early hours, followed by a holy bath with Panchamrit, a sacred mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar, and honey.

Coming to Sanjay Dutt’s work front, he was recently seen in ‘Baaghi 4’, also starring Tiger Shroff and Harnaaz Sandhu. The film made a decent opening at the box office, collecting Rs 13.20 crore on the first day.

“#Baaghi4 opens in double digits on Day 1, boosted by the 50 per cent off offer… The film’s performance now hinges on its Saturday and Sunday growth. #Baaghi4 [Week 1] Fri ₹ 13.20 cr. #India biz | Official Nett BOC | #Boxoffice,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote on X.

He also has films like “The Raja Saab’, ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘KD – The Devil’ in the pipeline. (ANI)

The US State Department’s Hindustani Spokesperson, Margaret MacLeod, on Thursday underlined Washington’s stance on H-1B visas and reiterated concerns over continued trade with Russia, particularly in the context of oil imports, amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“H-1B is a policy to prioritise investment in the American IT sector. We want to invest in American citizens, first and foremost, in training them.”

She also addressed the issue of purchasing oil from Russia, linking it to the war in Ukraine. “You also mentioned buying oil from Russia. US President Trump clearly stated that he wants to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible, so that no more lives are lost, and as long as Russia makes income by exporting oil, these economic resources will be used to purchase weapons. That’s why America wants to minimise trade with Russia,” she said.

She further referred to US President Donald Trump’s address at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), stating that the country’s diplomatic focus remains anchored on key principles, “peace, sovereignty, and independence.”

“The US government is focusing on three priorities this year. We’re focusing on peace, sovereignty, and independence, and we believe that these principles are not only the foundation of the United Nations’ founding charter but also the foundation of a prosperous, stable, and peaceful world,” she said.

“At times, over these 80 years, the United Nations has drifted away from this primary objective. We aim to collaborate with other member states to make the United Nations a more accountable, equitable organisation,” she added.

Meanwhile, President Trump, during his hour-long speech at the General Debate of the UNGA, accused China and India of being the “primary funders” of the Ukraine war through their continued purchase of Russian oil.

“China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil,” Trump said.

The remarks came amid global discussions dominated by various conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Trump’s comments also follow his administration’s recent decision to raise tariffs on India’s imports of Russian oil. The additional 25 per cent levy imposed by the US pushed the total tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent, one of the highest globally. (ANI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially lodged a complaint against Pakistan cricketers Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for their inappropriate actions during the high-voltage Asia Cup’s Super Four encounter on September 21.

According to BCCI sources, a complaint has been filed with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and match referee Andy Pycroft. The Indian team has demanded strict action against both players for conduct that they believe crossed the line of acceptable on-field behaviour.

During Pakistan’s innings, opener Sahibzada Farhan celebrated his half-century in controversial fashion by holding his bat like a gun, a move that has been widely criticised as being insensitive and provocative.

Later in the match, pacer Haris Rauf came under fire for multiple incidents. After dismissing Sanju Samson, Rauf showed aggression, and later when he was stationed near the boundary rope, responded to the jeers from Indian spectators by lifting his fingers to indicate “0-6”, a reference to Pakistan’s groundless claims that they downed six Indian fighter jets during the four-day clash at the border after India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year.

Rauf’s reaction spread like wildfire, and videos of his gesture went viral on social media. The 31-year-old drew flak from numerous Indian fans, who trolled and lampooned him for his action. During the incident, Rauf was teased by the fans with the chants of “Virat Kohli”, as the legendary batter had hit him for two successive sixes during a tense run-chase of 160 runs at Melbourne during the T20 World Cup 2022, one of which has been described by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ‘Shot of the Century’.

Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier lodged two complaints with the ICC against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.

PCB was against Suryakumar Yadav’s comment after the game on September 14 on the Pahalgam incident, as according to them, he made it political.

“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” Suryakumar Yadav said after the win. (ANI)

The Delhi High Court will hear an application filed by Priya Sachdev Kapur, widow of the late businessman Sanjay Kapur, on Thursday, seeking details of his personal assets to be disclosed only under strict confidentiality.

The matter is listed before Justice Jyoti Singh.

In her plea, Priya Sachdev has requested permission to submit a list of Kapur’s movable and immovable assets in a sealed envelope, citing cybersecurity risks and the potential misuse of sensitive financial information. She has further sought that all parties, including Kapur’s children from his first marriage with actor Karisma Kapoor and his mother, Rani Kapur, be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before accessing the documents.

Alternatively, she has suggested creating a Confidentiality Club that restricts access to designated advocates and representatives.

The application stems from the court’s September 10 order, which directed Priya to file a comprehensive statement of Sanjay Kapur’s assets and liabilities as of June 12.

At that hearing, Justice Jyoti Singh also issued a summons in the case, set timelines for pleadings, and ordered that the purported Will of Sanjay Kapur currently in Priya’s custody be submitted in a sealed cover.

The suit has been filed by Samaira and Kiaan Raj Kapur, through their mother Karisma Kapoor, seeking partition of the multi-crore estate, rendition of accounts, and a permanent injunction against Priya and other family members.

The next substantive hearing is scheduled for October 9, when the court will consider the plaintiffs’ plea to restrain the defendants from selling, alienating, or encumbering estate properties.

During earlier hearings, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the children, questioned the authenticity of the Will, alleging it was forged and produced under “suspicious circumstances,” including its sudden disclosure at the Taj Hotel and the executor learning of it just a day earlier.

He argued that the unregistered will had never been disclosed to the family despite repeated assurances from Sanjay Kapur regarding his children’s financial security.

On the other side, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Priya Sachdev, contended that the children are already beneficiaries of family trusts and had recently received Rs 1,900 crore, further stating, “It’s not as if these people are left on the streets. I am a widow with a six-year-old child. For 15 years, they were nowhere to be seen.”

Sanjay Kapur’s mother, Rani Kapur, has also raised objections through Senior Advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, alleging that her rights under the family trust were undermined after Priya’s marriage.

Expressing concern for her grandchildren, she told the court, “There’s something unholy going on. I am 80 years old and concerned for my grandchildren. Despite repeated mails, I never received a copy of the will.” (ANI)

French President Emmanuel Macron, on Wednesday, during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), urged Iran to immediately release three French citizens held under harsh conditions and stressed that Tehran must comply with its nuclear obligations.

In a post on social media platform X, Macron wrote, “I met with Iranian President @drpezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. First and foremost, I reiterated my demand: Cecile Kohler, Jacques Paris, and Lennart Monterlos — state hostages arbitrarily detained in Iran under inhumane conditions — must be released immediately.”

He emphasised France’s firm stance, stating, “France never abandons its children. Our position is clear: Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons.”

Macron further addressed the issue of Iran’s nuclear non-compliance, announcing coordinated action with Germany and the United Kingdom. “In light of Iran’s failure to comply with its nuclear obligations, together with Germany and the United Kingdom, we have decided to trigger the Snapback mechanism, allowing sanctions to be reimposed on Iran,” he stated.

Highlighting the urgency for renewed negotiations, Macron said, “I once again made clear to the Iranian President the demands on which we will not compromise: full access for IAEA inspectors in Iran, transparency regarding enriched material stockpiles, and the immediate resumption of negotiations.”

“An agreement remains possible. Only a few hours are left. It is up to Iran to respond to the legitimate conditions we have set. For the security of the region, for the stability of the world,” he added.

Meanwhile, the United Nations General Assembly’s annual General Debate continued into its second day on Wednesday (local time), with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivering brief remarks that ended with a pointed appeal to the UN for action.

Zelenskyy stressed that while the G7 and G20 play important roles, ultimate responsibility lies with the entire UN membership. (ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday congratulated the concerned agencies involved in the successful launch of the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile, which is designed to cover a range up to 2,000 km.

“India has carried out the successful launch of Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile from a Rail based Mobile launcher system. This next generation missile is designed to cover a range up to 2000 km and is equipped with various advanced features,” Singh posted on X.

The Defence Minister asserted that the success of the flight test has put India in the group of selected nations that have developed “canisterised launch system from on the move rail network”.

“Congratulations to DRDO, Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and the Armed Forces on successful test of Intermediate Range Agni-Prime missile. This successful flight,” Singh said.

“The first-of-its-kind launch carried out today from specially designed Rail based Mobile Launcher, has the capability to move on Rail network without any pre-conditions that allows User to have a cross country mobility and launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility,” he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rajnath Singh highlighted that India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat was not merely to manufacture for its own needs, but to develop capabilities that allow India to become a credible source of advanced technology and high-quality products for the world.

Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco, on Tuesday. Rajnath Singh described the occasion as a historic moment in the evolving strategic partnership between India and Morocco.

Spread over 20,000 square metres, the facility will undertake production of the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, jointly designed by TASL and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

“For India, this initiative reflects the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’ A self-reliant India, which is also an active and responsible player at the global level. The goal of our self-reliant India is not only to manufacture for its own needs but to create an ecosystem where India becomes a credible source of advanced technology and high-quality products for the world,” Singh said.

“For India, self-reliance does not mean isolation rather, we aim to develop strategic autonomy under self-reliance. We want to develop such capabilities that allow us to independently protect our nation while also maintaining engagement with global partners,” he added. (ANI)

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of service of General Anil Chauhan as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who shall also function as Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Military Affairs, upto May 30, 2026, or until further orders.

General Chauhan was appointed as CDS on September 28, 2022, according to the Ministry of Defence.

General Chauhan was commissioned in the Indian Army in 1981 and has had a distinguished and illustrious career with key command & staff appointments. He was awarded with Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary services to the Indian Army, the release added.

Meanwhile, the inaugural edition of the Tri Services Academia Technology Symposium (T-SATS) commenced on Monday at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, synergising the Services-Academia R&D ecosystem for development of niche and futuristic technologies tailored for the Indian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence said in an official statement.

The symposium was inaugurated by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan. The event witnessed participation from Directors and Heads of Departments of academic and premier R&D institutions, along with students from 62 institutes including IISc, IITs, IIITs and Private Technology Institutes.

In his address, the CDS highlighted the changing nature of modern warfare, driven by convergence across kinetic and non-kinetic domains, necessitating advanced integrated technological solutions. He emphasised the critical role of academia, startups and industry in developing doctrines and indigenous capabilities across platforms, weapons, networks to meet future operational demands. He called for a whole-of-nation approach, urging academia to scale innovation and commit to making India a global leader in next-generation defence technologies.

The CDS also inaugurated a Technology Exhibition showcasing 43 selected innovative exhibits by academia. These innovations were evaluated by Subject Matter Experts from various technology domains of the three Services for their potential military applications. Projects showing promise will be considered for R&D collaboration and funding support in future. (ANI)

Ahead of the Asia Cup clash against Bangladesh, Pakistan seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi spoke on his teammate Haris Rauf’s and Sahibzada Farhan’s provocative gestures during their previous clash against India, saying, “Our job is to play cricket, and everyone’s job is to play cricket”.

During Pakistan’s innings, opener Farhan, after completing his half-century, celebrated by holding his bat like a gun.

In the second innings, Rauf, who was stationed near the boundary rope, responded to the jeers from Indian spectators by lifting his fingers to indicate “0-6”, a reference to Pakistan’s groundless claims that they downed six Indian fighter jets during the four-day clash at the border after India’s Operation Sindoor in May this year.

“Look, our job is to play cricket. Honestly, whatever we think, everyone has their own respect. Everyone thinks the way they think. But our job is to play cricket. And we have come to win the Series. We have come to win the Asia Cup. And we are doing our best,” Afridi told the media.

Rauf’s reaction spread like wildfire, and videos of his gesture went viral on social media. The 31-year-old drew flak from numerous Indian fans, who trolled and lampooned him for his action.

During the incident, Rauf was teased by the fans with the chants of “Virat Kohli”, as the legendary batter had hit him for two successive sixes during a tense run-chase of 160 runs at Melbourne during the T20 World Cup 2022, one of which has been described by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ‘Shot of the Century.

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in their last fixture of the Super Four on Thursday. The match against Bangladesh could play a significant role in their qualification for the final.

Pakistan is heading into the clash with a commanding five-wicket win in the must-win Super Fours fixture at the ongoing Asia Cup at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday against Sri Lanka. (ANI)