'India Hopes Canadian Govt Will Take Due Action': MEA After Brampton Temple Attack

Days after the chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province called for 'climate diplomacy' with India to jointly address the issue of smog, the MEA on Thursday said New Delhi has not heard anything formally from Islamabad so far on this matter. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query during his media briefing here.

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Kashmir Zone Police posted on X, said, "Acting on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in Panipora Sopore area of Baramulla, a joint anti-terrorist operation was launched by police and security forces. During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place." The police said further details of the operation were awaited.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong discussed various geopolitical issues, ongoing conflicts, and India's “security concerns,” the MEA said on Thursday. New Delhi also alleged that Canada blocked an Australian media outlet hours after it broadcast a joint press conference addressed by Jaishankar and Wong in Australia in Canberra.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Friday on a vexed legal question whether the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) enjoyed a minority status under Article 30 of the Constitution which empowers the religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. A seven-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud will pronounce the verdict.

With the result of the closely fought presidential election in the US declared, India on Thursday said as a fellow democracy it celebrates the expression of people's mandate in America and wants to further strengthen the partnership. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a question at a media briefing here a day after Donald Trump registered a remarkable political comeback to win a second term at the White House.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, on Thursday campaigned for party candidate Nawab Malik, and held a roadshow in his support, ignoring ally BJP's stiff opposition to his candidature. Pawar also held a roadshow for Malik's daughter Sana, who is contesting her maiden assembly poll from Anushakti Nagar in the city.

West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari held an election campaign in support of the BJP candidate for the Medinipur assembly bye-election, Subhajit Roy. 

Police in a southern Mexico region rife with drug cartel violence have found 11 bodies, including two of minors, dumped by a highway, prosecutors in the state of Guerrero. The bodies were found late Wednesday after police received a tip about an abandoned pickup truck on the main thoroughfare of the city of Chilpancingo, the state capital. The city of 3,00,000 has been the scene of gruesome drug gang violence as two rival cartels fight for control of the area.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray unveiled his party's manifesto for the Maharashtra assembly polls, promising scrapping of controversial Dharavi redevelopment project, extending free education scheme for male students, and stabilising essential prices. The manifesto, released at Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' here, also promises that every district in Maharashtra will host a temple dedicated to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Releasing the manifesto, he emphasised that while many of the promises align with the broader assurances of the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), certain points warranted special focus.

Indian Navy showcased six of its conventional submarines at the capability demonstration to President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at sea. The submarines included vessels from the latest Kalvari class, Russian-origin Kilo class and German-origin Shishumar class.

In the run-up to the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls, police and election officials on Thursday seized Rs 1 crore from a van in Thane district. The seizure was made in Mira-Bhayander township, on the outskirts of Mumbai, an official said.

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu slammed Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring for allegedly cracking a "sexist" joke on his wife Amrita Warring, who in turn hit back at the BJP leader for "failing to comprehend" what her husband wanted to convey.

Opposition members have decided to boycott the five-day tour of the Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill starting Saturday to hear views of diverse stakeholders on the matter. All the opposition members of the JPC have decided to boycott the tour and its meetings as the chairman is working in an arbitrary and high-handed manner, Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Kalyan Banerjee told reporters at a press conference jointly addressed with party MP Nadimul Haque at the Press Club in Kolkata. Opposition members accused Committee chairman Jagdambika Pal of taking unilateral actions and visiting Karnataka to look into some "local matter".

Over 500 petitions were received by Chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Jagdambika Pal, on Thursday from farmers in Karnataka's northern districts, who alleged that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, according to Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya's office.

Pal, along with Surya, also a JCP member, visited Hubballi, Vijayapura and Belagavi, during which he met farmers and members of various organisations who complained that their lands were being claimed by the State Waqf Board.

BJP-turned-Congress leader and former minister Deepak Joshi on Thursday went back to the saffron party at a meeting in Madhya Pradesh’s Budhni in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. BJP has nominated Ramakant Bhargava for the November 13 bypoll in Budhni in the Sehore district. The seat was vacated by Chouhan, who won from the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat earlier this year and subsequently became the Union minister. In the run-up to the 2023 assembly polls, Joshi had resigned from the BJP and joined the Congress.

Jaiswal said Jaishankar, in his media interactions in Australia, had spoken about the allegations levelled against India by Canada without sharing any specific evidence.

"You would have seen that the External Affairs Minister, in his media engagements, spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence," he said.

The spokesperson said the second thing he highlighted was surveillance of Indian diplomats happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable.

"The third thing which he highlighted was the political space which has been given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that, why the Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada," Jaiswal said.

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Thursday congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.

Trump won the US presidential election for a second term in one of the most remarkable comebacks in American electoral history.

In a statement posted on the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Dalai Lama said, "I have long admired the US as the champion of democracy, freedom and the rule of law." The world places great hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the US. In these times of great uncertainty and upheaval in several parts of the world, "it is my hope that you will provide leadership in bringing about peace and stability", he said.

“It looks strange to us. But nonetheless, what I will say that these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech. You would have seen that EAM in his media engagements, spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence. The second thing he highlighted was surveillance of Indian diplomats happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable. The third thing which he highlighted was the political space which has been given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that, why Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada,” he added

In a press conference today, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that “We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which is an important diaspora outlet, has been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong...We were surprised.” 

MEA explains “You would have seen that EAM in his media engagements, spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence. The second thing he highlighted was surveillance of Indian diplomats happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable. The third thing which he highlighted was the political space which has been given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that, why Australia Today was blocked by Canada…”

On Canada blocking or banning the prominent outlet there- Australia Today, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which is an important diaspora outlet, has been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong...We were surprised. It looks strange to us. But nonetheless, what I will say that these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech. You would have seen that EAM in his media engagements, spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence. The second thing he highlighted was surveillance of Indian diplomats happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable. The third thing which he highlighted was the political space which has been given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that, why Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada..."

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday confirmed that the Indian army has resumed all key points in both Depsang and Demchok. "The Indian Army has started patrolling in all checkposts in Depsang and Demchok," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

On the Chabahar Port project, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We had a delegation led by the JP Singh, Joint Secretary in charge of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, in MEA. He visited Kabul on 4th and 5th November. During the visit, he had several meetings with Afghan minister, including with the acting Defence minister. He also called on former President Hamid Karzai. He also met the head of UN agencies there and several other senior ministers. They had discussions on India's humanitarian assistance, also how the Chabahar port can be utilized by the business community in Afghanistan for transactions and for export and import and any other thing that they would like to do for. I also want to recall here that providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan is an important part of our assistance program and so far in the last few months, and few years, we have dispatched several shipments of humanitarian assistance...We have longstanding ties with the people of Afghanistan,and these ties will continue to guide our approach towards the country..."

MEA responds on consular camps being cancelled in Toronto. “Consular camps have been cancelled for now. As you know, Canada has a large Indian diaspora, many of whom require various documents to continue receiving pensions and manage other activities in India. These consular camps serve as an important resource for both Indian nationals and people of Indian origin who are Canadian citizens. This is why the camps are so valuable to the community. However, I understand that consular camps will still take place in other parts of Canada, such as Vancouver, where community organizations have requested them. We will continue to organize these camps in locations where the community feels comfortable and where there is a demand for such services,” he said.  

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the violence at the Hindu temple in Brampton. "We hope that the Canadian government will take necessary actions," said Jaiswal. 

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responds about the lack of security for Indian diplomats. 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed on Thursday that he will be campaigning for Nawab Malik. 

Addressing CEOs and business leaders in Sydney, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar says, "I think this is very important and something to which I personally attach a great deal of significance. Now, I am the Foreign Minister, not the Finance Minister or the Trade Minister, but I am a member of what we call the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs, along with a small group of ministers and the Prime Minister, who are focused on economic policymaking for the country. As a working proposition, the Finance Minister, the Trade Minister, and I meet and work in very close consultation... This is really how we take forward our foreign economic relationship. In this regard, the responsibility of the Foreign Minister and the Foreign Ministry is also to create that broader enabling environment. Often, it is not just narrow trade or finance policies that can drive a relationship; there are many other factors that contribute to it..."

India shares a special relationship with Australia, said EAM Jaishankar while addressing in Sydney. 

India embracing digital transactions in quick pace, said EAM Jaishankar. 

Indian aviation doing better than many countries, said Jaishankar in Sydney. 

Educational institutions have doubled in last 10 years: Jaishankar 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is addressing the CEOs & business leaders in Sydney 

The Supreme Court on Thursday has refused to transfer trial in RG Kar to other state. The SC has directed the CBI to file fresh status report. 

 The opposition BJP in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday said it was "unfortunate" that the ruling National Conference has "compromised the integrity" of the assembly, and made a "joke" of democracy by bringing a resolution that questions a decision of the country's Parliament.

"This is a fraud, a drama, that has been attempted with the people of J-K," BJP MLA from Ramnagar, R S Pathania, told reporters here after the assembly was adjourned for the day following an uproar over the special status resolution.

"Article 370 is a history now. The Supreme Court has said that there is nothing like special status. It is as simple as that. This assembly which is a statute under the Reorganisation Act cannot question Parliament and the Supreme Court. There is no question of that," he said.

Pathania said the resolution, which was passed through voice vote by the assembly on Wednesday, was "a piece of paper, a piece of scrap", and "even if a peon or a clerk receives it, he will throw it into the dustbin".

"They (NC) have compromised the integrity of the House. They have made a joke of parliamentary democracy. This is unfortunate, and this needs to be taken note of by the people of J-K. They have been exposed. This (resolution) is a huge joke with the people of J-K," he added.

Union minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday asserted that ties between India and the US would grow "stronger" under President-elect Donald Trump with whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "good friendship".

Talking to reporters here, Paswan slammed the Justin Trudeau administration in Canada for allegedly encouraging "pro-Khalistani" activities on its soil which got manifested into "anti-Hindu" protests at a temple.

"Our Prime Minister always had a good friendship with Trump. Their relations were cordial even while Trump was out of power. In the current scenario, the Indo-US ties are bound to grow stronger", the Union minister added.

Asked about the violent protests outside a temple in Canada recently, the leader said, "The incident is deplorable and raises concerns about the Canadian government's stance which has been anti-Hindu and pro-Khalistani".

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Kankavli assembly constituency, Nitesh Rane on Thursday supported MNS chief Raj Thackeray's statement over loudspeakers on mosques and called them illegal and a violation of the High Court's order.
Reportedly, Raj Thackeray has said that if given power he would ensure that no mosque in Maharashtra has loudspeakers.

 Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has received a death threat and a demand for Rs 50 lakh, Mumbai police said on Thursday, adding an extortion case has been filed in this connection.

The threat to Shah Rukh Khan follows a series of threats issued to fellow actor Salman Khan, allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

An FIR has been filed against unknown individuals for allegedly tampering with the railway signal by stuffing a piece of cloth into one of its lights at the Reoti railway station in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district, police said on Thursday.

 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, was trying to seek support from "urban Naxals and anarchists" by holding a "red book" in his hand.

Notably, Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, has been displaying an abridged version of the Constitution in a red cover during his rallies.

The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order which has allowed cash-strapped Jet Airways ownership transfer to Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC).

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) leader Sharad Pawar on Thursday expressed confidence in his party's victory in the upcoming assembly polls, stating that the people of Maharashtra desire change.
He added that he will hold three meetings in Nagpur today, and tomorrow he will hold a meeting in Hinganghat. After that, meetings will continue in the rest of Maharashtra.
Speaking to ANI, Pawar said, "Our campaign for the Maharashtra Assembly elections has started. 

The Centre has doubled the fine for farmers burning crop residue in view of the deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-NCR region, the penalty going up to Rs 30,000 for those with more than five acres of farmland.

"In the last 10 years, since PM Modi took charge, the Government of India has adopted a strong approach against terrorism. PM Modi's call for 'zero tolerance against terrorism' has been hailed by the world. In the last 10 years, a strong ecosystem has been developed in India to fight against terrorism. However, plenty of work is yet to be done," says Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing the inaugural session of the 'Anti-Terror Conference-2024' in Delhi

A group of MLAs, including from the PDP and the Peoples' Conference, on Thursday submitted a fresh resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly demanding immediate restoration of Articles 370 and 35A in their original form.

The Supreme Court on Thursday exercised its extraordinary constitutional powers and ordered the liquidation of grounded air carrier Jet Airways' assets.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra set aside the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) decision upholding the resolution plan of Jet Airways and approved the transfer of its ownership to Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC). Pronouncing the judgement for the bench, Justice Pardiwala allowed the plea of SBI and other creditors against the NCLAT decision that upheld the resolution plan of Jet Airways in favour of JKC.

The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border was inaugurated at Darranga in Assam on Thursday, officials said.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the ICP in presence of Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay.

'Security, law and order at the border should be better handled by the state': Amit Shah

'We need to spread awareness against terrorism", said Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses at anti-terror conference 2024 in New Delhi

The priest of a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton has been suspended for spreading "violent rhetoric" during recent clashes between protesters carrying Khalistani flags and the people present there.

The year 2024 is on track to become the warmest ever recorded, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), which issued the statement on Thursday.

 Popular folk singer Sharda Sinha was cremated with full state honours here on Thursday.

The last rites were performed by her son Anshuman Sinha, who lit the pyre in an emotionally surcharged atmosphere.

Hundreds of fans had gathered outside Gulbi Ghat crematorium in Patna’s Mahendru area for her last glimpse. Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ashwani Choubey was also present.

The Mumbai district election officer has said all establishments, businesses and other workplaces within the Brihanmumbai limits are mandated to grant leave to their employees for voting in the Maharashtra assembly polls on November 20.

Violations to this directive by employers will result in action under the Election Commission's guidelines, district election officer and Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said in a release issued on Wednesday.

Ruckus erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday as BJP members protested against the passage of a resolution on special status for the erstwhile state, leading the speaker to adjourn the proceedings briefly.

As soon as the House met for the day, BJP members created uproar over the passage of the resolution on Wednesday which asked the Centre to work out a constitutional mechanism for restoring special status of the erstwhile state.

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman Jagdambika Pal on Thursday morning visited Karnataka amid the ongoing Waqf row and said that farmers in north Karnataka are claiming that the Waqf board was claiming land that belonged to them. The JPC has been formed to review the Waqf Amendment Bill introduced this year in the Parliament.
The farmers say that they have been here for almost 70 years, but despite that the Waqf board is claiming ownership of their land, Pal added.

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty fell in early trade on Thursday after two days of rally as investors remained on the sidelines ahead of the US Federal Reserve interest rate decision.

Market analysts said unabated foreign fund outflows and mixed global cues further dented investor sentiments.

Massive ruckus in Jammu and Kashmir assembly over Article 370, house adjourned

Delhiites woke up to toxic air on Thursday morning as the air quality continued to be in the "very poor" category.

While the Air Quality Index at 9 am stood at 367, nine stations -- Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Wazirpur -- reported air quality in the "severe" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The bodies of a 32-year-old woman and her three children were found hanging inside their hut in Bihar's Purnea district, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place in Kilapara village in Rauta police station area.

The last rites of renowned folk singer Sharda Sinha will be performed with full state honours today.
The folk singer passed away on Tuesday at around 9.20 pm due to refractory shock as a result of 'septicaemia', said an AIIMS Delhi official.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that the last rites of the singer, Padma Bhushan awardee, would be conducted with full state honours, as per an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday greeted the people of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Chhath Puja on Thursday.

Chhath is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The four-day festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and involves fasting, holy bathing and meditation while standing in water.

Indian mission in Canada cancels consular camps over security concerns

The Odisha government disbursed Rs 423 crore to various districts across the state to compensate for the losses incurred during Cyclone Dana.
Suresh Pujari, Odisha's Revenue and Disaster Management minister said on Wednesday that the government assessed the loss due to the cyclone to be around 616.19 crore as the various districts and departments submitted their reports.

 The Modi government is committed to building a terror-free India with its policy of zero tolerance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday.

Shah also said that a two-day anti-terror conference, beginning here on Thursday, will further enhance coordination among agencies to strengthen Bharat's security bastion.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan visited Assam to review the progress of the Assam-Meghalaya-Arunachal Pradesh border agreements to finalize boundaries within six months.
He held a meeting with the senior officials of the Assam government and Assam Police to assess the law and order situation in the state, as per a tweet by the Chief Minister Office.

Residents of Vadluru village, the residential village of Usha Vance, wife of US Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance, took to the streets to celebrate after Donald Trump crossed the 270-majority mark in US elections.

Canada announced Wednesday it is ordering the dissolution of TikTok's Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media app but said it won't block access.

Residents of Vadluru village, the residential village of Usha Vance, wife of US Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance, took to the streets to celebrate after Donald Trump crossed the 270-majority mark in US elections.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday announced five guarantees ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls at a joint rally here including Mahalakshmi Yojana for women under which Rs 3,000 will be given per month to one woman in every family and free bus travel for women.