Nation

The Supreme Court’s decision to reject the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots case has been welcomed by the BJP, with party spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla describing it as a “victory of truth.” While the court granted bail to five other accused, it emphasized that the legal position of Khalid and Imam is distinct and denied them pre-trial release. BJP’s Reaction Speaking to the media, Poonawalla targeted the Congress party, asserting that it owes an apology to the nation for defending Khalid and Imam, who he referred to as the “poster boys of the ‘Tukde-Tukde’ gang.” He said, “The Supreme Court’s observations confirm that the Delhi riots were not spontaneous but orchestrated and premeditated. The Congress party continued to protect those who soug...

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court of India has clarified the eligibility of reserved category candidates in government jobs, granting a significant advantage to SC, ST, OBC, and EWS aspirants. The court ruled that if candidates from these categories score above the cutoff for the general category, they will be considered for general category seats. A Major Win for Reserved Category Candidates The ruling effectively allows meritorious candidates from reserved categories to compete for unreserved seats, redefining the concept of general category quotas in government recruitment. The decision comes in response to a petition challenging a Rajasthan High Court ruling, which had previously barred reserved category candidates from being appointed to general category seats, even if th...

The Supreme Court of India on Monday rejected the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. The BJP immediately reacted, calling the verdict a significant setback for Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. BJP Response BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari described the Supreme Court’s decision as a “resounding slap” on the face of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress ecosystem, which, according to him, tried to portray Khalid and Imam—referred to by the party as “Urban Naxal poster boys”—as innocent victims. Bhandari added, “In the eyes of the public and the law, Rahul Gandhi’s urban Naxal narrative has been defeated. Will Congress apologize to the nation for presenting anti-India forces as victims?” Supreme Court Observations A bench of ...

The Supreme Court of India has refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the high-profile Delhi riots conspiracy case, while granting bail to five other accused. The apex court emphasized that the legal position of Khalid and Imam is “qualitatively different” from the other defendants. Case Background Khalid and Imam are accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the February 2020 Delhi riots, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The case alleges a premeditated conspiracy to incite violence. The other accused granted bail are Gulfisha Fatima, Miran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmad, and Mohammad Salim Khan. Supreme Court on Bail Applications A bench comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjari...

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has raised questions about claims of “Love Jihad” being made by BJP leaders. He demanded that if such incidents are indeed occurring, the party should present concrete data in Parliament. Speaking on the issue, Owaisi said, “If Love Jihad is happening, why is no record being presented in Parliament? BJP and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should define what exactly constitutes ‘Love Jihad.’ All states governed by the BJP should provide records of such cases over the past 11 years.” Owaisi also suggested that any measures or laws related to the issue should be based on evidence and a formal definition, ensuring clear criteria for implementation. Legal Age and Consent Matter, Says Owaisi Owaisi emphasized that adults have the legal right to m...

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has undertaken a major administrative reshuffle, transferring 31 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 18 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers across various Union Territories and departments. The transfers involve postings in Delhi, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, Goa, Chandigarh, and Daman. Several experienced officers are also returning to Delhi after previous tenures elsewhere. According to the official order, Shurveer Singh, previously serving as Finance and Power Secretary in Delhi, has been transferred to Ladakh. Meanwhile, senior IAS officers like Sanjeev Khirwar, who had been serving in Delhi during the COVID-19 period but was earlier posted to Ladakh, are returning to the n...

The Supreme Court of India has rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. While the court granted bail to five other accused, it made it clear that Khalid and Imam cannot be released at this stage. The apex court emphasized that each accused must be considered individually, and their bail applications examined on their own merits. “The cases of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam cannot be equated with those of the other accused,” the court stated. “An attempt has been made to avoid a collective approach, and we are satisfied that prima facie, allegations against them are substantial. Legal conditions for appellants apply, and granting bail at this stage is not justified.” Bail was granted to other accused in the case — Gulfisha F...

By Dinesh Mishra, New Delhi: January 2026 marks the 1,000th anniversary of Mahmud of Ghazni’s infamous attack on the historic Somnath Temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent op-ed, described Somnath as a symbol of India’s civilizational faith. Despite being subjected to one of the most tragic events in human history, the temple stands today in all its glory. Behind this iconic temple lies a fascinating story of the goddess Manat and her secret transfer from Arabia to Somnath. Who Was Manat? Manat, also pronounced as Manah, was a pre-Islamic Arabian goddess worshipped in the 6th–7th centuries, before the advent of Prophet Muhammad. She was one of the three principal goddesses of Mecca, alongside Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, and is considered the eldest and most ancient among them. Th...

New Delhi: The past year has been remarkable for the BJP, with consecutive wins across multiple states and a decisive victory in Bihar boosting the party’s momentum. In contrast, the Congress has faced setbacks, raising questions about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership within his party. Five-State Election in FocusThis year, assembly elections are scheduled in Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Each state presents unique political dynamics and challenges for major parties. While these elections may not directly impact national politics, the outcomes will be closely watched for the trends they reveal. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have historically resisted BJP influence. In West Bengal, the BJP is making a strong push, and any victory here would carry significant w...