Wednesday, April 1

Politics

UGC Controversy: Nitish Kumar’s Party States Stand, Union Minister Nityanand Rai Avoids Questions, Raises Slogans Instead
Bihar, Politics, State

UGC Controversy: Nitish Kumar’s Party States Stand, Union Minister Nityanand Rai Avoids Questions, Raises Slogans Instead

Patna, Bihar: The new UGC (University Grants Commission) Regulations 2026 have sparked political uproar across India, including Bihar. While Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party, JD(U), has clarified its position, Union State Minister Nityanand Rai appeared to dodge questions on the matter, responding with religious slogans rather than addressing the controversy. JD(U) Emphasizes Constitution and JudiciaryIn the midst of growing unrest among upper-caste communities, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar made the party’s position clear. “Neglecting any section of society is not in the spirit of democracy. The Supreme Court’s decision will be final in this matter,” he said. Neeraj Kumar stressed that every citizen has the right to express their opinion under Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution and haile...
NEET Student Death Case: Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Meets Victim’s Family, Vows Perpetrators Will Not Be Spared
Bihar, Politics, State

NEET Student Death Case: Deputy CM Vijay Sinha Meets Victim’s Family, Vows Perpetrators Will Not Be Spared

Jehanabad, Bihar: Political tensions escalated in Patna following the tragic death of a NEET student, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties over the state’s law and order. Amid this, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha visited the victim’s family in their village in Jehanabad on Tuesday, offering them reassurance and promising a fair investigation. Assurance of JusticeDuring his visit, Vijay Sinha assured the bereaved family that the government would ensure strict action against the culprits. Speaking to the media, the Deputy CM stated, “Under good governance, no one who commits such a crime will be spared. Every aspect of the incident is being thoroughly and impartially investigated. Those found guilty will receive the strictest punishment.” Meeting With the FamilyPosting on...
Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash; PM Modi and Amit Shah Speak to CM Fadnavis
Nation, Politics

Ajit Pawar Dies in Plane Crash; PM Modi and Amit Shah Speak to CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both contacted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to express their condolences and seek updates on the situation. CM Fadnavis briefed them on the details of the crash. The accident, which occurred during the aircraft’s landing, has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra and across the country’s political landscape. The Deputy CM was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati on a chartered plane to address multiple public rallies when the aircraft crashed. Preliminary reports indicate a technical fault during landing may have caused the crash. A total of five people, including Ajit Pawar...
UGC Law Poses Major Challenge for BJP Amid Widespread Protests
Nation, Politics

UGC Law Poses Major Challenge for BJP Amid Widespread Protests

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing mounting challenges over the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new regulations, as protests and opposition from the general category escalate across the country. The revised rules, aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions, have sparked widespread outrage among general category students and organizations, with many taking to the streets in demonstrations. Reports of resignations from key BJP leaders at district and state levels are adding to the government’s predicament. Students Raise Concerns Over EqualityThe UGC’s “Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026” was issued on 13 January 2025, expanding the definition of caste-based discrimination to include SC/ST, OBC, and other ma...
CM Yogi Smiles at Young Boy’s Speech, Child Mimics Bulldozer Model in Gorakhpur Event
Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

CM Yogi Smiles at Young Boy’s Speech, Child Mimics Bulldozer Model in Gorakhpur Event

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh:A video of a young boy giving a speech in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s style has gone viral on social media. The child, dressed in saffron robes similar to the CM, humorously referenced the CM’s bulldozer model, saying that anyone building a house on the road would face the bulldozer. The crowd applauded, and even CM Yogi could not hide his smile. The event took place on the second day of the CM’s three-day visit to Gorakhpur, during the inauguration of the Khajanchi Chauraha Flyover and the Bargadwa-Nakha Rail Overbridge. MP Ravi Kishan was also present on the occasion. Child Steals the Show During the event, a loud voice over the microphone surprised everyone:"Namaskar, I am Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh!" Soon after, the young ...
Shashi Tharoor Misses Another Key Congress Meeting, Cites Dubai Travel Plans
Nation, Politics

Shashi Tharoor Misses Another Key Congress Meeting, Cites Dubai Travel Plans

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor once again did not attend a crucial party meeting on Tuesday. Speaking about his absence, Tharoor said he received the meeting invitation at the last minute, by which time his travel plans to Dubai were already finalized. Repeated Absences Raise EyebrowsThis is not the first time Tharoor has skipped an important meeting. A few days ago, he had also missed a high-level discussion at Congress President Kharge’s residence regarding the Kerala elections. Sources suggest that his repeated absences are being attributed to differences with both the party leadership and local Congress leaders. Dubai Travel Plans ConfirmedCommenting on Tuesday’s meeting, Tharoor said, “The invitation arrived only yesterday or the day before. By then, my travel plans were already fin...
Rahul Gandhi a Good Leader, Country Needs Him: Mohammad Javed Responds to Shakeel Ahmed’s Comments
Nation, Politics

Rahul Gandhi a Good Leader, Country Needs Him: Mohammad Javed Responds to Shakeel Ahmed’s Comments

Following public criticism of Rahul Gandhi by former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed, several party leaders from the minority community have come forward in support of the Congress leader. After Tariq Anwar, the next in this chain is Congress MP Mohammad Javed from Kishanganj. Support for Rahul GandhiAddressing Shakeel Ahmed’s remarks, Mohammad Javed described them as incorrect. “Everyone has their opinion, but Rahul Gandhi is a capable leader, and the country needs him,” he said. Javed added, “In my view, Shakeel Ahmed’s statement is entirely wrong. Decisions to expel a leader are not taken lightly by the Congress party. Whenever a leader leaves the party, it is by their own choice. We never hold differences with leaders who have chosen to part ways.” Focus on Employment in the Bud...
Supreme Court Defers Hearing on Kejriwal, Atishi Plea in BJP-Linked Defamation Case Till April 21
DELHI (national capital territory), Politics, State

Supreme Court Defers Hearing on Kejriwal, Atishi Plea in BJP-Linked Defamation Case Till April 21

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing on a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi in connection with a defamation case linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), postponing the matter until April 21. The petition challenges an order refusing to quash criminal defamation proceedings initiated against the AAP leaders over their alleged remarks concerning the deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls. A bench comprising Justice M. M. Sundresh and Justice N. K. Singh said the case required a detailed hearing and, therefore, adjourned the matter. Arguments Before the Court Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the AAP leaders, submitted that the bench had indicated the matter should be t...
Akhilesh Yadav Pledges Full Support to Mamata Banerjee, Says Only She Can Challenge BJP
Politics, State, West Bengal

Akhilesh Yadav Pledges Full Support to Mamata Banerjee, Says Only She Can Challenge BJP

Kolkata: In a significant political development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav at Nabanna on Tuesday afternoon. Following the meeting, Akhilesh praised Mamata Banerjee for her resilience in facing attacks from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and asserted that she is the only leader capable of challenging the party at the national level. Speaking to the media, Akhilesh Yadav stated that Mamata Banerjee’s courage in confronting the BJP is unmatched and highlighted that the Samajwadi Party (SP) will extend its full support to her struggle to safeguard democracy. He also criticized efforts in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists is being used as a pretext to implement the NRC and harass c...
All-Party Meeting Held Ahead of Budget Session; Congress Raises Questions on Legislative Agenda
Nation, Politics

All-Party Meeting Held Ahead of Budget Session; Congress Raises Questions on Legislative Agenda

A day before the commencement of Parliament’s Budget Session, an all-party meeting was held to discuss legislative business and other key issues. The session is scheduled to run from 28 January to 2 April 2026, with the Union Budget to be presented on 1 February. The first phase of the session will focus on the President’s address and the subsequent discussion and passage of the Vote of Thanks, followed by deliberations on the budget. Discussion on Legislative AgendaUnion Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju attended the meeting on behalf of the government. Leaders from opposition parties, including Congress’s Jairam Ramesh and Kodikunnil Suresh, Trinamool Congress’s Sagarika Ghosh, Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav, and DMK’s T.R. Baalu, par...