Congress Only Cares About Muslims, Always Insulted Ambedkar: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday said the BJP was not averse to promoting Dr B R Ambedkar's family in politics and accused the Congress of opposing the principal Constitution maker during his lifetime and ensuring his defeat in elections.Yadav's comments came in the backdrop of a raging controversy over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar in Parliament last week. Opposition parties led by the Congress have been holding protests demanding Shah's resignation for his remarks on the social reformer.

Ahead of the Union Budget, industry stakeholders have urged the government to revisit the 10 per cent Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) introduced on coupon payments from listed bonds.While the policy is aimed at improving tax compliance, it has created unintended challenges for fixed-income investors, particularly retail participants, an official said on Tuesday.

Popcorn, in loose form, sold in movie theatres will continue to attract GST at a 5 per cent rate, same as in restaurants, government sources said.However, if the popcorn is clubbed and sold together with a movie ticket, the supply would be treated as a composite supply and taxed as per the applicable rate of the principal supply, which is the ticket.

However, if the popcorn is clubbed and sold together with a movie ticket, the supply would be treated as a composite supply and taxed as per the applicable rate of the principal supply, which is the ticket.

The 55th meeting of the GST Council clarified the GST applicability in popcorn after it received a request from Uttar Pradesh to clarify the classification and GST rate applicable to popcorn mixed with salt and spices.

Former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla appointed Manipur Governor, an official statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said. 

Former Army chief Vijay Kumar Singh has been appointed as Mizoram Governor, an official statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said. 

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has been appointed Bihar Governor, an official statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan said.  

Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati appointed Odisha Governor, Rashtrapati Bhavan said in an official statement. 

The Indian economy is recovering from the slowdown in momentum witnessed in the September quarter, driven by strong festival activity and a sustained upswing in rural demand, according to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bulletin released on Tuesday. An article on the 'State of the Economy' in the December bulletin noted that the global economy continues to exhibit resilience with steady growth and moderating inflation.

The BSF will step up surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad districts with an increased focus on the unfenced stretches, its Director-General Daljit Singh Chaudhary said on Tuesday.

Chaudhary said this after chairing a high-level meeting of the border-guarding force near Kolkata.

The Telangana police on Tuesday asked top Telugu actor Allu Arjun if he was aware that authorities had denied permission for his visit to a theatre that screened 'Pushpa-2' and also if he knew about the tragic death of a woman in the stampede on December 4 during the premiere.

A single bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed parents of the RG Kar hospital victim to seek clarification from the bench of the Chief Justice whether it can hear their petition seeking further probe in the rape-murder case, as it is already hearing the matter.

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and hoped that the "forces of trust and forgiveness" will be strengthened around the world, bringing people closer to each other.    

 "As we celebrate this sacred day, let us imbibe Jesus Christ's message of love and harmony in our lives. His teachings of brotherhood and welfare of all continue to light the path to a better world. This festival inspires us to foster unity and peace," she said.

Job creation, improving farm productivity, and mobilising public funds for infrastructure development were some of the issues that figured during the interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and economists ahead of the 2025-26 Union Budget. The Prime Minister on Tuesday met eminent economists and sectoral experts at NITI Aayog to hear their views and suggestions for the upcoming Budget.

A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to pass order on Jammu and Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer's regular bail application in a terror-funding case. Additional sessions judge (ASJ) Chander Jit Singh dismissed the application filed by the accused seeking to pronounce order on the bail application.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday said one should not use a vegetable-cutting knife for bypass surgery and asserted that the notice for his removal from the post was actually a “rusted” tool. 

In his first reaction on the notice submitted by the opposition INDIA bloc, Dhankhar said, “Just look at the notice against the vice president. Just look at the six links they have given.”

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Tuesday gave a miss to the convocation of the prestigious Jadavpur University with the Raj Bhavan maintaining that due formalities were not followed in organising it.Bose, who is the chancellor of the state-run varsity, on Monday had written to officiating vice-chancellor Bhaskar Gupta, stating that the convocation was convened flouting several rules and laws, and was "illegal".

In a bid to get battle-ready for challenges ahead, the Congress will decide on an action plan for the next year at its CWC meeting named 'Nav Satyagraha Baithak' being held in Karnataka's Belagavi to mark the 100th anniversary of the Belgaum session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

Vowing that no person would be allowed to bully the people in Beed district where a village sarpanch was recently murdered, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the Opposition wanted to politicise every incident.

He was responding to a reporter's question about state BJP legislator Suresh Dhas demanding the arrest of local NCP leader Valmik Karad in the case. Dhas also stated that the CM himself should become guardian minister of the district.

 The Assam Congress on Tuesday said its protests against Union Home Minister Amit Shah's alleged remarks against Babasaheb Ambedkar will continue until he publicly apologises and resigns.During the day, the party held demonstrations in Guwahati, Tezpur and Goalpara and other places led by Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah, deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia.

Railway officials said that the Dadar-Porbandar Saurashtra Express derailed at Kim station near Surat. 

No injuries were reported in the incident, officials said. 

The rupee extended the slide for the second straight session and depreciated 9 paise to settle at a fresh all-time low of 85.20 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, dragged by a strong greenback against major crosses overseas and subdued domestic equities.

Paris Olympics' double bronze-medallist Manu Bhaker on Tuesday admitted that "there has been a lapse may be on my part" while filing nominations for this year's National Sports Awards amid a raging controversy over her exclusion from the list of Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees.

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, the pioneer of the parallel cinema movement in Indian cinema in the 1970s and 1980s, was cremated on Tuesday with full state honours and a three-gun salute here.        Benegal, known for films such as "Ankur", "Mandi", "Nishant", and "Junoon", died on Monday at a hospital here due to chronic kidney disease.

Double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker's coach Jaspal Rana on Tuesday castigated the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India and the National Rifle Association of India, holding them responsible for "ignoring" his ward's credentials for the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.

"I will hold all of them responsible. How can anyone even say Manu did not apply? She made history by becoming the first Indian to win two Olympic medals in the same Olympics. Her name should have been there automatically. Don't the people at the helm know who Manu Bhaker is and what are her credentials? This humiliation might just affect her progress," Rana, who was the personal coach of Manu when she won the medals at the Paris Games, told PTI.

"The purpose of this press conference is to highlight the unconstitutional and unethical insult being done to Baba Saheb from time to time by the Congress and other opposition parties... Baba Saheb played an important role during the independence of the country and the creation of the Constitution. Every Indian has a feeling of reverence and respect for Baba Saheb... The Bharatiya Janata Party has worked to build the country of Baba Saheb's dreams. The Bharatiya Janata Party has given respect to Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar..." UP CM Yogi Adityanath said. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru never wanted BR Amebdkar to become a member of the Constituent Assembly. 

“It's not hidden from anyone that Nehru never wanted Ambedkar to become a member of the Constituent Assembly. Nehru was against his nomination to the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. Nehru never wanted Ambedkar to get elected in the Parliament,” UP CM Yogi said.  

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the Congress has repeatedly disrespected Ambedkar in the past, while the BJP-led NDA has actively worked to uphold his ideas and principles. 

Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Chairman Parmar Ravi Manubhai on Tuesday ruled out cancellation of the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 held earlier this month which got mired in allegations of question paper leak.

He, however, made it clear that the BPSC was going ahead with re-examination of candidates who were assigned to the Bapu Pariksha Parisar examination centre on December 13 and disclosed that the re-examination will be held on January 4, 2025.

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said that Congress got exposed in the Constitution debate and edited the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah after getting frustrated. 

"The Congress party should first apologize for editing the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah and doing politics on it. They spoiled the Parliament session. The way Prime Minister Modi exposed the Congress during his speech in the Parliament, how the Congress continuously insulted the Constitution from Nehru to Indira to Rajiv to Sonia...Congress is frustrated after all this has been revealed how Congress leaders, from Nehru ji to Rahul Gandhi, have constantly insulted the Constitution and denied reservation and in frustration, it is acting like this. This is the same Congress which has constantly insulted Baba Saheb..." said Maharashtra CM Fadnavis. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to develop a data-rich platform aimed at assisting investigation officers and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
Shah's direction came while chairing a review meeting on the implementation of three new criminal laws with the NCRB here in the national capital.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday claimed that he was also a victim of chit fund scams and urged people to be aware of the activities of ponzi firms to save their hard-earned money.

Majhi said this while addressing a function to celebrate the State Level National Consumers Day here.

The Congress on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and expressed hope that the apex court will help restore the "fast eroding" integrity of the electoral process.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to determine whether there is sufficient cause to declare the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), including all its factions, wings, and front organisations, as an unlawful association.

NDA leaders to hold key meeting tomorrow at BJP chief JP Nadda's residence in Delhi to discuss BR Ambedkar remark row

Delhi Police on Tuesday conducted checks in the Kalindi Kunj area of the national capital to identify potential Bangladeshi immigrants.
According to a resident, the checks were thorough, with police asking for basic information about the residents and their government-issued identification cards. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday lay the foundation stone of the Ken-Betwa river linking project, the first such initiative under the national river interlinking policy, at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Nearly 44 lakh people in 10 districts of Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh will get drinking water under the project, which is estimated to cost Rs 44,605 crore, MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday.

As the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas intensified ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Parvesh Verma on Tuesday termed these communities as "enemies" of the country, who never voted for the BJP but supports opposition parties like AAP, Congress and TMC.
Speaking to ANI, Verma alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party MLAs support these people and protect them and the whole "conspiracy" of Arvind Kejriwal has been "exposed."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Khajuraho in Chhatarpur district on December 25 to lay the foundation of the Ken-Betwa river link project which will change the destiny of Bundelkhand region.

Actor Allu Arjun reached Hyderabad's Chikkadpally police station on Tuesday to appear for questioning in connection to the tragic incident that occurred during the premiere of his movie Pushpa 2 on December 4.

The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will hold meetings on December 26 and 27 to record oral evidence from state representatives as part of its deliberations on the proposed legislation.

 Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun on Tuesday appeared before the Chikkadpally police here for questioning in connection with the death of a woman in a stampede during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' here on December 4.

The actor was issued a notice to appear before the police at 11 AM today. Security was stepped up at his residence and he waved to the crowd before leaving for the police station.

South Korea's main opposition party said Tuesday it will seek to impeach acting leader Han Duck-soo after he missed an opposition-set deadline to approve independent investigations into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife

 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate 10,000 newly formed multipurpose Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS), dairy, and fisheries cooperative societies on Wednesday.

Rescue operations are underway to save a 3.5-year-old girl who fell into a borewell in Kiratpur village of Kotputli in Rajasthan. Authorities including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration, have been working tirelessly to ensure her safe recovery.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate 10,000 newly formed multipurpose Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS), dairy, and fisheries cooperative societies on Wednesday.

The Dehradun district administration has ordered the authorities to maintain law and order and ensure smooth traffic management in Mussoorie during the tourist surge for Christmas, New Year and winter vacations, according to a release.

North India is reeling under cold weather with temperatures plummeting across several states. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with a thin layer of fog enveloping parts of the national capital. On Monday, the minimum temperature stood at 8 degrees Celsius, while the maximum reached 20 degrees Celsius.

Senior diplomats from India and the United States, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries. Welcoming Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, Verma emphasised their shared commitment to advancing the India-US relations.

Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun was issued notice to appear before police on Tuesday as part of ongoing probe into the stampede during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4, police sources said. The actor was asked to appear at 11 AM, Chikkadpally Police Inspector Raju Naik said.

Allu Arjun has earlier said he would cooperate with the investigation.

The notice came a day after police commissioner C V Anand released a video showing the sequence of events at the theatre.

Two criminals allegedly involved in the robbery at the Indian Overseas Bank's Chinhat branch in Lucknow were killed in separate encounters with Lucknow and Ghazipur police, officials said on Tuesday.

While Sobind Kumar, 26, was killed in an encounter with the Lucknow police near Kisan Path, Sunny Dayal, 28, was gunned down by the Ghazipur police and SWAT surveillance team in a separate encounter, they said.

Delhi Police has busted a major illegal immigration racket, arresting 11 individuals, including document forgers, Aadhaar operators, and tech experts involved in creating fake websites, officials said.

 Two Bangladeshi women were detained at Tripura's Agartala railway station on Monday for illegal entry into India, according to the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Agartala Government Railway Police (GRP).

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday expressed her condolences to the family of renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal following his death, referring to it as the "end" of a glorious chapter in Indian cinema.
Benegal, a pivotal figure in Indian cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 90 at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central, where he had been undergoing treatment for chronic kidney disease.

 Moreover, in another news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal and praised Benegal's storytelling, saying that it had a profound impact on Indian cinema.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan tweets, "We have lost another stalwart of the Film Industry today .. Shyam Benegal passes away .. Prayers and condolences"

A fresh spell of heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh's Manali on Monday left several vehicles stuck and tourists stranded in their vehicles for hours between Solang and Atal Tunnel, Rohtang.