Prime Minister Modi Condoles Death of Devotees in Hathras Stampede | LIVE

 U.S. officials have approved another Alzheimer's drug that can modestly slow the disease, providing a new option for patients in the early stages of the incurable, memory-destroying ailment.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly's Kisunla on Tuesday for mild or early cases of dementia caused by Alzheimer's. It's only the second drug that's been convincingly shown to delay cognitive decline in patients, following last year's approval of a similar drug from Japanese drugmaker Eisai.

The delay seen with both drugs amounts to a matter of months — about seven months, in the case of Lilly's drug. Patients and their families will have to weigh that benefit against the downsides, including regular IV infusions and potentially dangerous side effects like brain swelling.

Physicians who treat Alzheimer's say the approval is an important step after decades of failed experimental treatments.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and some other opposition leaders from Maharashtra on Tuesday and discussed ways to strengthen the INDIA bloc.

Pawar met Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on the Parliament House premises.

Sources said ways to strengthen the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra and the political situation in the state was also discussed.

Assembly polls are due in Maharashtra later this year in which the Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP (SCP) will look to oust the BJP-Shiv Sena combine from power. 

 Scores of bodies were lying on blocks of ice inside the government hospital here on Tuesday night in the aftermath of the deadly stampede at a religious congregation, as the wailing relatives of the victims waited outside in drizzle to take mortal remains back home.

Officials have put the death toll at 116 - 108 of them women and seven children. The victims were part of the crowd of thousands that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for the 'satsang' by religious preacher Bhole Baba.

The stampede took place at around 3.30 pm when Baba was leaving the venue.

Outside Sikandra Rao Community Health Centre, the closest healthcare facility from the stampede site, many continued searching for their missing family members late into the night.

Supporters of the BJP and Congress clashed in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening during a protest over remarks made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha.

The incident happened outside the state Congress headquarters where the BJP was holding a demonstration over Gandhi's remarks.

"When we were staging a peaceful protest outside the Congress Bhawan, stones were pelted at our workers. Some police personnel and journalists were also attacked," alleged state BJYM president Abhilash Panda.

"We demand unconditional apology from Rahul Gandhi for insulting and hurting Hindus," he said.

A complaint has been lodged at the Capital police station against the Congress workers for the violence, another BJP leader said.

 Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in a stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras.

Over 50 people died and several others were injured in the stampede at a religious congregation in Pulrai village.

"Got sad news about the untimely death of many people in a stampede during a Satsang in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured," Soren posted on X.

Former chief minister Hemant Soren termed the loss of lives "extremely sad and heartbreaking".

"In this sad situation, we pray that the Marang Buru (supreme religious deity of the tribals) may grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this difficult time," he said.

After the massive tragedy in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras claiming lives of over 100 people, mostly women and children, security has been beefed up outside the Ashram of self-styled godman Bhole Baba. Notably, the victims were part of the crowd of thousands that had gathered near Phulrai village in the Sikandrarau area for the 'satsang' by religious preacher Bhole Baba. The stampede took place at around 3.30 pm when Baba was leaving the venue.

 Himachal Pradesh BJP chief Rajiv Bindal on Tuesday attacked the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government, alleging that mining and drug mafias are ruling the roost in the state.

Campaigning for BJP candidate K L Thakur for Nalagarh assembly bypoll, Bindal also said the Congress government has betrayed the educated unemployed youth in Himachal.

Dubbing the Sukhu government as "government of husband-wife", the BJP leader said Chief Minister Sukhu is camping in Dehra, which is not his home.

"The question is being asked whether the CM hails from Dehra, Nadaun or Shimla," he said in a statement.

Sukhu's wife Kamlesh Thakur is the Congress candidate from Dehra assembly seat.

Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday that the Centre is working on a vision document to develop officers for a rapidly changing scenario in the future.

Interacting with senior officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and civil services at the 50th (Golden) Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPA) at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) campus here, he said the advanced courses imparted to the officers serving the government are crucial to make them future ready as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Singh, the minister of state for personnel, said the government's emphasis is on a shift from rule-based to role-based approach in governance to empower citizens.

He also guided the participants to develop communication and interpersonal skills, according to a Personnel Ministry statement.

 The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to its Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman for making statements supporting the public flogging of a couple that rocked the state.

The incident that happened last week in Uttar Dinajpur district was caught on camera, and the video that showed a man flogging the couple in public sent shockwaves.

"The party has show-caused Rahman for his remarks and has sought an explanation from him. The party in no way supports the incident or the remarks made by him," a senior TMC leader said.

The man seen in the video thrashing the couple with a stick was identified as Tajmul alias 'JCB', purportedly a TMC leader of Chopra and a close associate of Rahman.

 The ongoing night curfew will be withdrawn from all areas of violence-hit Balasore town in Odisha as the law and order situation has improved, an official said on Tuesday.

Curfew was imposed in the north Odisha town following a group clash on June 17. Later, only night curfews were imposed.

“From Tuesday midnight, the curfew imposed in the Balasore municipality jurisdiction will be completely lifted. However, in view of the upcoming Ratha Yatra and Muharam festival, strict vigil will be there to ensure the law and order situation,” Balasore collector Ashis Thakare said.

Earlier, as the situation of law and order gradually improved, partial curfews with the relaxation of timings were granted by the administration phased-wise, in the Industrial, Sahadevkhunta and Town police station areas.

A micro-level peace committee with elected people’s representatives and eminent citi

 Workers of BJP and Congress hurled stones at each other outside Gujarat Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad on Tuesday during a protest against "anti-Hindu" remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

Several workers and leaders from both sides were detained from the spot in the Paldi area after the violent clash and stone pelting, a city police control room official said.

While the BJP accused Congress workers of attacking a "peaceful protest," opposition leaders blamed BJP cadres for initiating the violence.

Both parties claimed their workers were injured in the incident and they will lodge complaints with police.

Local TV channel visuals showed party workers from both sides thrashing each other outside Congress' Gujarat headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. Some individuals were seen throwing stones at each other, even as police attempted to intervene.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday mounted a stinging counterattack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as he mocked him as 'balak buddhi' (childish mind), accused him of linking Hindus with violence and making false claims in Lok Sabha, and sought stringent action against him to protect parliamentary democracy.

Replying to a nearly 18-hour-long discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the Lower House, Modi said the Congress and its "ecosystem" are working day and night to impress upon people that the BJP-led NDA has been defeated in the elections despite voters handing his government a historic third-term for stability and continuity.

"I will tell Congress leaders to not suppress people's mandate under the garb of fake victory celebrations," he said and added the opposition party was behaving as if it had won 99 out 100 seats and not out of 543, the actual strength of the House. The Congress turned into a "parasitic party" in these polls, feeding off its partners' votes to boost its tally, he said.

 A defamation suit filed by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to be taken up for hearing before the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday.

Bose filed a defamation case against Banerjee on June 28, a day after she claimed that women complained to her saying that they were afraid to visit the Raj Bhavan because of the activities there.

The defamation suit filed by Bose against Banerjee is listed for hearing on Wednesday before the bench of Justice Krishna Rao, according to the high court's website.

Following Banerjee's remarks, the governor had said that it was expected of public representatives not to create "erroneous and slanderous impressions." During an administrative meeting in the state secretariat, Banerjee on June 27 claimed that "women have informed her they are afraid to visit Raj Bhavan due to recent incidents reported there".

BJP workers and leaders organised a morcha in Panaji on Tuesday in protest against "anti-Hindu" remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

"Rahul Gandhi has been insulting Hindus frequently. We will not tolerate his behaviour. He is behaving childishly in Parliament, violating all rules," alleged BJP leader Sankalp Amonkar.

Later, BJP workers burnt the effigy of Rahul Gandhi in front of the state Congress office.

Another BJP leader accused Rahul Gandhi of inciting the people on religious lines after taking charge as the Leader of the Opposition.

 The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed an MoU to establish three state-of-the-art testing facilities in Chennai for the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor, one each in unmanned aerial system, electronic warfare and electro-optics domains.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), was exchanged between senior officials of the ministry and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi, the ministry said in a statement.

With an outlay of Rs 400 crore, the DTIS was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2020 to set up state-of-the-art testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and central or state government, promoting indigenous defence production, reducing military equipment imports and enhancing self-reliance, the statement said.

 In a bid to make Uttar Pradesh a one trillion dollar economy, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday passed draft of Uttar Pradesh Nodal Investment Region for Manufacturing (Construction) Area Bill (NIRMAN)-2024.

This draft of the Bill to make a Special Investment Region (SIR) was approved in the cabinet meeting held in Lok Bhavan under chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a senior official said.

Through this, the big investors of the country and the world can be attracted to invest in UP, he said.

The official also said according to draft Bill, at least four such SIRs will be created in UP, which will be in the four geographical areas of the state. He said the state has around 20 thousand acres of land bank available.

) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday expressed grief over the stampede at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh in which over 50 people were killed.

She extended condolences to the family members of those killed in the mishap.

"Just now learnt that in a sad incident of stampede, at least 27 devotees (including 23 women and 3 children) have succumbed to death at Hathras, UP. My heart goes out to their family members. Sincere condolences to the bereaved kins," Banerjee posted on X.

The number of deaths, however, later increased from 27 to more than 50 in the stampede at a religious event in Hathras. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed profound sorrow over the stampede in Hathras and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The stampede occurred during a religious congregation at a 'satsang' event in Uttar Pradesh's Pulrai village where a large number of people had gathered.

More than 50 people were killed and several others injured in the stampede.

Amidst his reply to a two-day debate on the motion of thanks on the President's address to both Houses of Parliament, Modi condoled the death.

"In the midst of discussions, I have also been given sad news. It has come to my attention that there have been many tragic deaths in the stampede in Hathras, UP," PM Modi said in Lok Sabha.

"I express my condolences to those who lost their lives in this incident. I hope for the speedy recovery of all the injured," he said.

The prime minister said senior officials of the central government are in constant contact with the Uttar Pradesh administration to coordinate aid efforts.

"Through this forum, I assure everyone that all possible assistance will be provided to the victims," he said.

The PM Office (PMO) announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Hathras.

"The injured would be given Rs 50,000," the PMO said in a post on X.

Senior officials reported that among the deceased were 23 women, three children and a man. Reports from the scene indicated that victims, either deceased or unconscious, were transported to medical facilities in Sikandara Rao.

Hathras MP Anoop Pradhan told PTI Videos outside Parliament that this is an extremely unfortunate incident.

"I have spoken with our district officer, the district's legislator and the superintendent of police. There is no exact figure yet, but many people have tragically died and many others are injured. They are being treated in nearby hospitals," Pradhan said. 

 Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in a stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras.

Over 50 people died and several others were injured in the stampede at a religious congregation in Pulrai village.

"Got sad news about the untimely death of many people in a stampede during a Satsang in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured," Soren posted on X.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren termed the loss of lives "extremely sad and heartbreaking." "In this sad situation, we pray that the Marang Buru (supreme religious deity of the tribals) may grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this difficult time."

Workers of BJP and Congress hurled stones at each other outside Gujarat Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad on Tuesday during a protest against "anti-Hindu" remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

Several workers and leaders from both sides were detained from the spot in Paldi area after the violent clash and stone pelting, a city police control room official said.

While the BJP accused Congress workers of attacking a "peaceful protest," opposition leaders blamed BJP cadres for initiating the violence.

Local TV channel visuals showed party workers from both sides thrashing each other outside Congress' Gujarat headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. Some individuals were seen throwing stones at each other, even as police attempted to intervene.

 Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to facilitate a debate on the NEET issue in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

He said the Opposition's request to discuss the issue related to the medical entrance exam NEET was denied in both Houses of Parliament on June 28 as well as on Monday, and added that the Lok Sabha speaker had assured the Opposition that he would discuss the matter with the government.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the aim was to engage "constructively to find a way forward".

"I am writing to request for a debate in Parliament on NEET," Gandhi said in his letter to the prime minister on Tuesday.

"Our aim is to engage constructively to find a way forward. At this moment, our only concern is the welfare of nearly 24 lakh NEET aspirants across India," he said.

Referring to the government's move to postpone other examinations and replace the Director General of the National Testing Agency, he said these moves are to "cover up the systemic breakdown of our centralised testing system".

"The NEET examination deserves immediate attention because it has exposed the deep rot in our higher education system. The past seven years have seen over 70 paper leaks, affecting over two crore students," the Congress leader said.

He said lakhs of families have made tremendous personal sacrifices to support their children, and for many, the paper leak is a betrayal of a lifetime dream.

Gandhi said those families are looking up to their public representatives to take "bold and decisive steps" to resolve the issue.

"Our students deserve answers. A parliamentary debate is the first step towards rebuilding and restoring their faith," he said.

"Given the urgency of the matter, I request the government to facilitate a debate in the House tomorrow. I believe that it would be fitting if you were to lead this debate in the interest of the students," Gandhi added.

Opposition INDIA bloc parties sought debate on the NEET issue in both Houses of Parliament on Friday. A number of adjournment notices were submitted in Lok Sabha, and under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to take up a debate on the issue immediately.

It was, however, not allowed in either of the Houses. While Lok Sabha was adjourned little after noon amid opposition demand for NEET debate, the Rajya Sabha also witnessed protests but had proceeded with debate on Motion of Thanks to President's address.

Later, opposition MPs had staged a walkout in the Upper House after a Congress MP fainted while protesting, and the Chair refused to adjourn the House.

Prime Minister Modi Condoles Demise of Victims in Hathras Incident 

Speaking about the alleged NEET scam, PM Modi said, “We are taking the matter of paper leak seriously. Those responsible will not be spared. Accused are getting arrested across the country.” 

“Our forces didn't even had bulletproof jackets," said PM Modi in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. 
 

“Our forces were weak during Nehur Ji's tenure,” says PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

“Nation is witnessing how our defence sector has grown, reforms are happening and how we are strengthening our forces.” 

“Congress has always been against reservation,” PM Modi refers Nehru in Lok Sabha. 

“Congress Buried Mandal Commission Report For Many Years,” PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

PM Reminds Congress Of Historical Blunders & Injustice To Downtrodden, says “Baba Saheb Ambedkar ji quit after being insulted by Nehru Ji. He conspired to get Ambedkar ji defeated. Nehru celebrated the victory.” 

"Can't forgive only because the behaviour is childish": PM Modi's swipe at LoP Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha yesterday

“Opposition has always misled people on reservation,” says PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

“These theatrics is an insult to the traditions of the Parliament,” says PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

While speaking in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, PM Modi said, “Rahul Gandhi should not be forgiven for behaving like a child.”

"Congress is openly creating new narratives and spreading new plans every day to put one caste against another...It was clearly announced from various platforms that if the result they want is not achieved, the country will be set on fire on June 4. People will gather, anarchy will be spread and these appeals were made in large numbers. Spreading anarchy is their aim...": PM Modi 
 

During his reply to the Motion of Thanks in Lok Sabha, PM Narendra Modi said, "This is the third-biggest defeat in the history of Congress. It would have been better if Congress had accepted its defeat and respected the mandate of the people, but they are busy doing some 'Sirsasana' and Congress and its ecosystem are trying to establish in the minds of the citizens of India that they have defeated us... Bachhe ka mann behlane ka kaam chal raha hai."

“Congress and its ecosystem trying to impress upon people that they have defeated us,” PM Modi takes dig at Opposition in Lok Sabha. 

“The people of this country have given a mandate to the Congress in the 2024 elections and the mandate of this country is that you sit there, sit in the opposition and when the arguments end, keep shouting,” said PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

Opposition parties resort to hooting after heckling and sloganeering as PM Modi continues his speech 

"We built 4 crore houses for poor, we will build 3 cr more houses and ensure no one is without a house": PM Modi in Lok Sabha

Speaking in Lok Sabha PM Modi says, “People have voted for us, our stability and our consistency.” 

Hitting out at the Opposition, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, “This kind of ruckus amid PM's speech is not right.” 

“In the 3rd term, we will work at 3x speed,” PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

"If we remember those days of 2014, we will realise that the people of our country had lost their self-confidence. The country had drowned in the abyss of despair....for some time, it used to come out from the mouth of a common man that 'nothing can happen to this country'": PM Modi in Lok Sabha 
 

"We want to assure people that we will make tireless, honest, committed efforts to fulfil our resolve for 'Viksit Bharat'": PM Modi in Lok Sabha 
 

"Before 2014 terrorists used to attack after 2014 Hindustan ghar mein ghuskar marta hai, said PM Modi in Lok Sabha. 

PM Modi while addressing the Lok Sabha said, “We stand with confidence and pride as an Indian.” 

PM Modi goes for strong THEN VS NOW focus in his response to Motion of Thanks to President's address in Lok Sabha. “Before 2014 terrorists used to attack after 2014 Hindustan ghar mein ghuskar marta hai,” he says. 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said, “Today, I want to promise to the people of our country that we will continue to work with dedication. I assure the people of India our work towards Viksit Bharat will continue.” 

Expressing gratitude for 3rd consecutive term serving the nation, PM Modi says, “We feel fortunate to serve our country for the third consecutive time.” 

Speaking in Lok Sabha, PM Modi said, “Appeasement has destroyed our country.” 

Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, PM Modi said, "Our every Niti, decision have always worked towards ‘Nation First’ 

In a decisive address to the Lok Sabha today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his government's unwavering stance against corruption since assuming office in 2014. Speaking passionately, PM Modi stated, "In 2014, when we formed the government for the first time, we made it very clear that there will be zero tolerance against corruption."
 

Speaking in Lok Sabha, PM Modi said, “People of the country gave their verdict, they saw our ten year track record.” 

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Opposition, “I can understand the pain of the Opposition as we have the mandate from the people this election.” 

Opposition MPs demand that Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam be allowed to speak. Speaker Om Birla says he has already been given an opportunity to speak in the Lower House.

PM Modi says, “For the President's exceptional duties, I express heartfelt gratitude.”

Our honorable President has elaborated on India's commitment to development. The President has raised important issues and provided guidance for all of us and the nation. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rises to address the Lower House to resounding chants of his name from the party MPs

Speaking in Lok Sabha on Tuesday BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said, "I feel proud sitting in a train like Vande Bharat, I feel proud seeing the progress of our country."

'Modi Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' chants in the house 

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Lok Sabha, to reply to motion of thanks on the President's address

PM Modi set to make his 1st address in Lok Sabha

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting Hindus during his speech in the Lok Sabha and demanded he and the Congress apologised to the people of the country.

Saini also said several Congress leaders are trying to justify Gandhi's speech when they should help him enhance his knowledge and advice him not to lower parliamentary dignity.

"He has insulted Hindus. He has spoken lies... He always defames Hindus... I strongly condemn it," Saini said during a press conference, slamming Gandhi.

In his first speech as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Gandhi had launched a no-holds-barred attack on the BJP, accusing the leaders of the ruling party of dividing people on communal lines.

Heavy rainfall causes a flood-like situation in Panchala village of Keshod Junagadh, Gujarat. 

 The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday fielded Milind Narvekar, a close aide of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, in the biennial elections to 11 seats from the legislative council, taking the number of candidates in the fray to 12.

All candidates - nine of the ruling Mahayuti and three of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.

The legislative assembly is the electoral college for the elections. The current strength of the assembly is 274 due to 14 vacancies. The quota for the winning candidates is 23.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated former minister Pankaja Munde, Amit Gorkhe, Sadabhau Khot, Yogesh tilekar and renominated Parinay Phuke.

While Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has fielded former MPs Krupal Tumane and Bhawana Gawli, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has fielded Rajesh Vitekar and Shivajirao Garje.

The Congress has renominated Pradyna Satav and the NCP (SP) is supporting sitting MLC and Peasants and Workers' Party (PWP) leader Jayant Patil.

The last date of withdrawal of nominations is July 5 and the election will take place on July 12.

The BJP has 103 members in the state assembly, followed by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP's 40, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's 38.

The Congress has 37 MLAs, Shiv Sena (UBT) 15 and Sharad Pawar-led NCP 10.

The biennial elections are necessitated because 11 MLCs are retiring. These legislators are Manisha Kayande (Shiv Sena), Anil Parab (Shiv Sena-UBT),Vijay Girkar, Nilay Naik, Ramesh Patil, Ramrao Patil (BJP), Abdullah Durrani (NCP), Wajahat Mirza and Pragya Satav (Congress), Mahadev Jankar (RSP) and Jayant Patil (PWP). 

The Tripura government has decided to impose a ban on registration of all types of three-wheeler passenger and goods vehicles in Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) from July 10, an official said.

The move is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and promoting alternative transportation systems in the civic body areas, the official said.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 115 of the MV Act 1988 and for the interest of promoting sustainable urban mobility, the Transport Department, Government of Tripura hereby imposes ban on registration of all types of three-wheeler passenger and goods vehicles on and from 10th July 2024 in Agartala Municipal Corporation area of West Tripura District," the notification issued on Monday said.

It clarified that all the three-wheeler passenger and goods vehicles include e-rickshaws, e-carts, e-autos, petrol autos, diesel autos, CNG autos and vehicles driven on bio-fuel (methanol & ethanol).

BJP MP Jagadish Shettar on Rahul Gandhi's controversial remark said, "Congress leaders are anti-Hindu, anti-Sanatan. They want to appease the minorities and strengthen their vote bank..."

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi adjourns the arguments on Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's plea seeking summoning of foreign travel stay documents etc. as the public prosecutor was not available due to health reasons.

The next date of hearing is July 11.

Amid the following rage over Rahul Gandhi's controversial statement, BJP Yuva Morcha's national president Tejasvi Surya said that it will hold protests outside Congress offices across the country today.

Speaking on Rahul Gandhi's anti-Hindu remark, BJP leader CR Kesavan said, "Rahul Gandhi's first speech as LoP yesterday is a toxic rant...He maliciously distorted facts and twisted truth in his speech yesterday and misled the august House of the people and the nation. His cantankerous speech yesterday not only clearly showed that this man lacks the maturity, lacks sincerity and lacks grace to even be an MP, leave alone be the LoP...I want to reiterate by saying this - everybody thought Rahul Gandhi, being an entitled dynast, would show some responsibility as LoP. But no sane thinking person as an LoP would behave like this in the Parliament. Rahul Gandhi, it is time you apologise to crores of followers of Hindu faith and other religions & also to our Agniveer and our armed forces for the blatant mistruths you have tried to peddle in Parliament."

The flood situation in Assam remains critical with over 6.5 lakh people still reeling from the second wave of flooding, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) rescued 13 stranded fishermen from the severely-hit Dibrugarh district, an official said.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) had requested the IAF to rescue the fishermen from Hatia Ali, a 'char' (sandbar) area in Dibrugarh, who were stranded in the floodwaters.

''ASDMA requested IAF to airlift these 13 stranded fishermen. All the expenditure for airlifting the people will be borne by ASDMA'', the official said.

(Inputs from PTI)

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow, July 3.

This is his first visit as Army Chief after assuming charge the day before yesterday

Army Chief will review the security arrangements and operational preparedness of the Indian Army in Jammu region

The visit will be a day long and includes a forward area operational review, depending on the weather.
 

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wrote to Speaker Om Birla over the remarks and portions from his speech expunged; requesting that the remarks be restored.

The letter reads, “...Shocked to note the manner in which considerable portion of my speech have been simply taken off from the proceedings under the garb of expunction...Taking off from records my considered remarks goes against the very tenets of parliamentary democracy...”

Reacting to Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "... You cannot every time run down the chair. You cannot every time disrespect the chair... You stand suddenly and speak whatever you want without understanding what I am saying. Never in the history of this country and Parliamentary democracy and Rajya Sabha proceedings, there has been such disregard for the chair, as from you... Time for you to reflect... Your dignity has been attacked multiple times... I have always tried to protect your dignity..."

Speaking on Rahul Gandhi's anti-Hindu remark, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said, ".Yesterday in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi called Hindus 'violent', liars and hateful. He not only lied but also insulted 125 crore Hindus...He failed for the third consecutive time, Congress tried to launch him again and again but you can see that he was unable to get launched. He has been rejected. This was the first speech of Rahul Gandhi as the LoP and it was a speech full of lies, despair and baseless things. He did not say a word on the President's Address though the discussion was on the same. He only lied in the Parliament...It doesn't suit the LoP to display the photo of a deity in the House and politicise it..."

Speaking in Lok Sabha, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav said, "We are in favour of caste census…We can never accept the Agniveer scheme. When the INDIA alliance comes to power, the Agniveer scheme will be scrapped....Legal guarantee of MSP on crops has not be implemented. Horticulture crops should also be given MSP..."

At the NDA's parliamentary party meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Rahul Gandhi's 'anti-Hindu' remark.

"The first meeting of NDA parliamentary party was held today. PM Modi was felicitated by NDA leaders for the historic third term. During the meeting,   PM Modi shared an important 'mantra' to all the MPs and NDA leaders. He said that MPs have come here (Parliament) to serve the nation and advised everyone to keep the nation first always," said Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as the NDA Parliamentary party meeting concluded.

The National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) parliamentary party meeting is currently underway at the premises.

More details are awaited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the NDA meeting shortly. 

Union ministers like Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, JP Nadda and other NDA leaders arrived at the Parliament premises for the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting.

The National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) parliamentary party will be holding a meeting following discussions in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to President Droupadi Murmu's address to a joint sitting of Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the NDA parliamentary party meeting at 9:30 am. 

Samajwadi Chief and INDI leader Akhilesh Yadav spoke about Rahul Gandhi's remark in Lok Sabha on Monday.

"The issues of Agniveer (scheme), OPS and farmers persist. The government may be new but the issues are old...Yeh BJP ki strategy hai," Yadav said while talking to the media.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has no knowledge of Indian tradition and Hindu culture and he should apologise to the entire nation for his speech in Lok Sabha.

In a post on 'X' in Hindi, Sai said, "Rahul Gandhi's statement in the Parliament calling the entire Hindu society violent is extremely objectionable and condemnable. He has insulted crores of Hindus of the country. Rahul Gandhi has no knowledge of Indian tradition and Hindu culture".

Hitting out at LoP Rahul Gandhi's remarks in Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "This is not just shameful but also punishable."

"He wants to ruin the image of Ayodhya on international platform. The people of Bharat will answer back soon. The LoP wants to defame the state of Uttar Pradesh," the Chief Minister added.

Amid Rahul Gandhi's controversial statement insulting Hindus, the Bharatiya Janata Party launched a massive attack on Congress MP.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. The leader of Opposition has categorically said that those who call themselves Hindu talk of violence and do violence. He does not know that crores of people proudly call themselves Hindu. He shold apologise."

Furthermore, Coming down heavily on LoP Rahul Gandhi's anti-Hindu remarks, Union Health Minister and BJP leader JP Nadda said, "Rahul Gandhi must apologize to all Hindus."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today is likely to respond to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's remark 'Prime Minister Modi, BJP are not Hindu.'

"The Abhayamudra is the symbol of Congress," Gandhi proclaimed, “It represents fearlessness, reassurance, and safety, dispelling fear and invoking divine protection and bliss.”

However, Gandhi's speech took a contentious turn as he criticized certain factions within Hinduism.

During his speech in Lok Sabha, he said, "All our great men have spoken about non-violence and eliminating fear," he stated, "But those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, and untruth. Aap Hindu ho hi nahi..." (You are not even Hindu...), Gandhi said in Lok Sabha.