Natioanal

New Delhi: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid political unrest, has broken her silence for the first time on the plight of minorities in Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with Navbharat Times, Hasina spoke candidly about attacks on Hindus, the upcoming February elections, and the impact of the current Yunus administration on Bangladesh’s democracy. On Tarique Rahman’s ReturnHasina criticized the return of BNP leader Tarique Rahman, noting, “The people of Bangladesh must remember that Tarique Rahman spent several years in exile in London, far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. He fled the country after allegedly aiding in the misappropriation of public funds during his late mother, former PM Khaleda Zia’s tenure. This is not a ...

New Delhi: The Earth’s rotation and atmospheric patterns create some of the most complex weather phenomena on the planet. Among them are the Furious Fifties—powerful westerly winds that sweep across the Southern Hemisphere’s open oceans, creating roaring gales that historically terrified sailors. What Are the Furious Fifties?The Furious Fifties refer to strong westerly winds blowing between 50° and 60° south latitudes over the Southern Hemisphere. Their force increases as they traverse vast, uninterrupted ocean expanses, producing thundering, roaring gusts that have earned them a fearsome reputation. In earlier times, sailors often abandoned their ships and jumped into the sea to survive these violent winds. Global Wind Patterns Behind the PhenomenonThe winds originate from the flow ...

New Delhi: The government is preparing to grant ‘Vande Mataram’ a status similar to the national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana’, with formal rules and protocols for its rendition. In a recent high-level meeting, officials discussed whether the singing of the national song should be subject to official guidelines, conduct rules, or legal obligations, akin to those governing the national anthem. This initiative is part of the ruling BJP’s efforts to elevate the stature of ‘Vande Mataram’. Historical Significance of ‘Vande Mataram’Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the 1870s, ‘Vande Mataram’ became a slogan of the Swadeshi Movement (1905–08) and has deep associations with India’s freedom struggle. The BJP has criticized the Congress for removing key portions of the song in 1937, which th...

New Delhi: Legal experts and think tanks have raised concerns over a proposed anti-corruption bill that allows the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, or ministers to be removed from office after 30 days of arrest on serious criminal charges. Representatives from the Law Center for Legal Policy, National Law University (NLU) Odisha, and National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata highlighted potential loopholes before a joint parliamentary committee. Experts warned that the bill could become a tool for political vendetta, particularly against high-ranking officials, and may contravene the will of the people. Two of the institutions suggested that removal from office should be tied to the confirmation of charges, introducing a judicial safeguard into the process. The Law Cente...

Dhaka/New Delhi: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has pinned the blame for the recent strain in India-Bangladesh relations on the Yunus administration. In an exclusive interview with Navbharat Times, Hasina expressed deep concern over the growing influence of extremist elements and attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. She also criticized the upcoming parliamentary elections, describing them as largely symbolic and questioning the country’s democratic process. Tensions Under the Yunus AdministrationHasina highlighted that under the Yunus government, Bangladesh’s diverse society is facing significant challenges. She noted that Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and Ahmadi Muslims have been particularly vulnerable to worrying incidents. She further alleged that the adm...

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan delivered a powerful address at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Friday while commemorating the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, underscoring that national security in today’s world extends far beyond territorial defence. Speaking to students and faculty, General Chauhan said that national security now includes safeguarding the nation’s people and its ideological foundations, not merely protecting land borders. He stressed that in an era of global uncertainty and rapidly changing geopolitical realities, Netaji’s assertive diplomacy and realistic worldview remain deeply relevant. Netaji’s Strategic Vision Still Relevant Highlighting Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s leadership, the CDS said that Bose was not only a vi...

A political storm has erupted within the Congress ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections after senior party leader and former MP Sandeep Dikshit launched a sharp attack on party MP Shashi Tharoor for skipping a crucial election-related meeting. Reacting to Tharoor’s decision to stay away from the high-level Congress meeting, Dikshit remarked that leaders who are “irrelevant to the party” do not matter, adding bluntly that “it makes no difference whether they attend the meeting or not.” Speaking to news agency IANS, Dikshit said that all strong and relevant Congress leaders from Kerala would be present at the meeting.“Those who are important to the Congress and those who are strong leaders are attending. Those who are not relevant or not big leaders — whether they come or not — it mak...

The Delhi High Court has set aside the bail granted to an accused allegedly involved in the stone-pelting incident during an anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque at Turkman Gate earlier this month. Justice Prateek Jalan, while remanding the matter back to the subordinate court for reconsideration, observed that although courts exercise extreme caution while interfering with relief granted to an individual, the present case falls under the category of an “exceptional” one. The High Court noted that the accused, a street vendor identified as Ubaidullah, had been granted bail through an order that was “vague and irrational.” The court held that such an order warranted judicial scrutiny and intervention. The incident had taken place during a drive to remove encroachmen...

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will not attend the party’s strategic meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss preparations for the Kerala Assembly elections, sources said. Tharoor is reportedly “hurt” over recent developments, including what he perceives as being repeatedly sidelined by the party’s state leadership. According to sources, Tharoor was particularly upset after Rahul Gandhi, during a recent public programme, did not mention his name despite his presence on the stage. The incident, coupled with what Tharoor believes is a consistent effort by state leaders to marginalise him, has contributed to his decision to stay away from the crucial meeting. The meeting is expected to focus on the Congress party’s electoral strategy and organisational preparedness in Kerala. Thar...