Category Archives: Uncategorized

NEW DELHI, 25 MAY

The Supreme Court on Monday stressed that girls should not give up education just because sanitary napkins and functional, gender-segregated toilets are not available at schools and asked the Centre to ensure that its directions regarding this are complied with.

The SC’s observation came after the Centre said its 30 January judgement directing authorities to provide free sanitary napkins to girls and functional, gender-segregated toilets at schools has led to galvanisation of efforts in all states and UTs.

“Now, it is for you to make the most of it and see that as far as possible, the benefits are extended in terms of our judgment,” the bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan told Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave, who was appearing for the Centre.

In the landmark judgment delivered on 30 January to ensure gender justice and educational equity, the SC had directed all states and UTs to provide free oxo-bio-degradable sanitary napkins to girl students and functional, gender-segregated toilets for all students at schools. It had issued a slew of directions to all states and UTs to ensure that these facilities were provided in schools irrespective of whether they were govern-ment-run, aided or private.

NEW DELHI, 25 MAY

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday criticised “naysayers” who claim India’s economy is “crumbling” amid Iran war.

She said a cynical and pessimistic narrative was being created, with critics forgetting the “good being done by common people”, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity appeals. She warned that India cannot afford fear-mongering and stressed the need to instil confidence through words and actions.

cuts on petrol and diesel to shield consumers from inflation triggered by the West Asia conflict. She defended price hikes, saying earlier steps prevented Rs 10 increase at a time.

“The increases now are coming from oil marketing companies (OMCs) because they are the ones procuring (raw material crude oil) and selling (finished product – fuel),” Sitharaman said on the sidelines of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council export awards event.

‘Govt lost Rs 1 lakh cr’

On fuel pricing, Sitharaman said the government had foregone over Rs 1 lakh crore annually through excise duty.

When asked if the RBI’s dividend of Rs 2.87 lakh crore aligned with the government’s expectations, especially given the current need for support, the minister stated that the calculations follow a clear formulation.

>>>More on Page 5

NEW DELHI/ GANDHINAGAR, 25 MAY The government confirmed no Ebola cases have been reported in India, with Union Health Minister JP Nadda reviewing preparedness measures. Nadda instructed all entry points to ensure vigilant screening, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to remain ready for testing and surveillance.

Meanwhile, Gujarat has intensified screening at Ahmedabad Airport for passengers from Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan, with no cases reported.

State health minister Praful Panseriya assured, “There is not a single case of Ebola in Gujarat or India; there is no need to panic,” and additional beds and isolation wards have been set up as a precaution.

>>>MORE ON PAGE 4

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY

Three separate trademark applications have been filed seeking rights over the name “Cockroach Janata Party”, offi- cial records showed, as the satirical political outfit contin- ues to gain rapid online trac- tion.

The filings, made by less- er-known individuals including Azim Adambhai Jam and Akahnd Swaroop, as well as a proprietorship named “Cockroach Janata Party”, seek registration under the category of political and social services.

The development comes amid growing attention on the satiri- cal entity, which has gained millions of online followers in a matter of days for its digital commentary. Its X (formerly Twitter) account was recently withheld in India.

The outfit, also known as CJP, describes itself as the “Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed” and reportedly crossed 10 million followers on Instagram, even surpassing BJP’s online follow- ing.

CJP’s X handle withheld, founder starts new account >>>More on Page 3

BENGALURU, 21 MAY

An Air India aircraft with 181 passengers onboard experienced a tail strike during landing at Bengaluru airport on Thursday morning, leading to the aircraft being grounded for detailed inspection. The narrow-body A321 aircraft was operating flight AI2651 from Delhi to Bengaluru. An airline spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating the plane “experienced a tail-strike during landing”. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.

A source explained that the plane encountered “wake turbulence” near landing, prompting the pilot to perform a go-around manoeuvre, during which the tail strike occurred. The turbulence was reportedly caused by a wide-body aircraft taking off nearby, though details about this aircraft remain unconfirmed. The flight, operated with an A321, had 181 passengers onboard.

The airline stated that the aircraft has been grounded for a thorough inspection, and the incident will be investigated following established procedures with relevant authorities. The return flight, AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi, has been cancelled, and alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers. Ground teams in Bengaluru are providing assistance, and the airline has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, “wake turbulence” results from lift-generated vortices trailing behind an aircraft, which can impact other aircraft depending on the vortices’ strength, duration, and direction.

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

Tension escalated in Jaipur on Thursday as Congress workers protesting the alleged NEET paper leak clashed with police during a march towards the BJP headquarters. Police used water cannons and erected barricades near the Martyrs’ Memorial and Police Commissionerate to prevent protesters from advancing, resulting in scuffles between demonstrators and security personnel.

The protest was led by Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, who marched alongside party leaders and workers demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Amid the protest, Congress workers carried Dotasra on their shoulders while police sprayed water cannons on the crowd.

Former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas staged a sit-in outside the Police Commissionerate, while former MLA Ved Prakash Solanki was pushed back by police during the confrontation. MLA Manish

Yadav also attempted to cross barricades but was stopped by police.

The march began from the Congress state headquarters and included women, youth, and supporters, with some participants dressed as NEET aspirants to symbolically represent students affected by the alleged paper leak. Addressing protesters, Dotasra accused the National Testing Agency of losing public trust and demanded strict action against those responsible for jeopardising the future of nearly 22 lakh students.He called for a court-monitored investigation and renewed demands for the Education Minister’s resignation.

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY One of the masterminds of the 14 February, 2019 attack on Indian security personnel in Pulwama, which left over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel dead, was killed by unknown gunmen in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Hamza Burhan had been designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry in 2022.

Burhan was allegedly involved in radicalising and indoctrinating youth in South Kashmir. Security agencies said he provided explosives and grenades to those who carried out the Pulwama attack.

He was also found to be involved in the grenade attack on CRPF personnel on 18 November, 2020.

Burhan’s killing comes after a series of attacks targeting members of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, attributed by local reports to “unidentified gunmen.”

The Pulwama incident was carried out by a member of the JeM who rammed an explosives-laden car into a CRPF convoy. The attack led the Indian Air Force to launch a strike in Balakot, Pakistan, a few days later, raising tensions between the two countries.

MELODY POLITICS

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

Amid protests against Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore distributed chocolates among party workers and mocked Gandhi over his alleged “Melody toffee” remarks. Rathore termed Gandhi’s comments “childish” and said they reflected political frustration. Speaking during a BJP protest at the party headquarters in Jaipur, Rathore claimed Rahul Gandhi was unable to understand Modi’s diplomacy and foreign policy achievements. He further alleged that Gandhi’s statements were harming the Congress party and pushing it towards decline.

BJP workers held a procession from the state office to Chaumun House Circle, raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi, and burned his effigy over alleged derogatory remarks against top BJP leaders. Rathore said Congress was increasingly losing public support and accused the opposition of relying on “cheap and frivolous rhetoric” instead of constructive politics. Rathore denied BJP links to NEET leak, calling Congress allegations baseless and politically motivated.

KOLKATA, 21 MAY

The West Bengal government has issued an official order mandating the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at assembly prayers in all madrasas with immediate effect.

The order by the Directorate of Madrasah Education came nearly a week after the state’s BJP government made singing the national song mandatory in all state-run and aided schools. Heads of institutions have been instructed to ensure strict compliance from all students.

The latest order stated the directive would apply to the government’s model madrasas, government-aided madrasas, approved Shishu Shiksha Kendra and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras, as well as recognised unaided madrasas functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.

A senior official of the department said the decision was made “with the approval of the competent authority” and was aimed at bringing “uniformity in assembly practices” across institutions under the department.

The move comes shortly after the Union proposed amendment to the Prevention of Insults National Honour Act, 1971, making obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram punishable offence.

>>>More on Page 3

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for severe heatwave conditions across Rajasthan over the next four days, with a yellow alert in place for many districts.

Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest temperature in the state at 46.5°C, followed by Pilani at 45.3°C. Phalodi, Bikaner, Churu, Kota, and Alwar also witnessed extreme temperatures above 44°C.

Authorities in Jaipur and Kota have started sprinkling water on roads and at cattle shelters to reduce heat impact.

Intense heat and hot winds have affected normal life, leaving roads deserted during peak afternoon hours in several parts of Rajasthan.