Dumka : – In a shocking turn of events, tragedy struck a local football match in Jharkhand’s Dumka district as lightning struck a playground, claiming the lives of two spectators and leaving three others injured, according to local authorities.

The incident unfolded as heavy rain and a thunderstorm swept through the area on Saturday evening, prompting several spectators to seek refuge under a tent erected beside the playground in the Hansdiha locality.

Tragically, lightning struck the tent, resulting in the immediate loss of two lives. The victims were identified as Shivlal Soren (32) and Santlal Hembram (20). Additionally, three other individuals suffered injuries in the lightning strike.

Hansdiha police station Officer in Charge, Jitendra Kumar Sahu, provided details on the incident, stating, “The lightning hit the tent killing two persons – Shivlal Soren (32) and Santlal Hembram (20) – and injuring three others.”

Prompt action was taken to attend to the injured individuals, who were swiftly transported to the Saraiyahat Community Health Centre for medical care.

District Civil Surgeon Bachcha Prasad Singh offered an update on the condition of the injured, stating, “One of them was discharged after receiving first-aid, while the two others were referred to a hospital for further medical attention.”

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable and sometimes devastating forces of nature, casting a pall of sorrow over the local community and the world of sports in Jharkhand.

Jaipur: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge declared on Saturday that his party would revise the women’s reservation bill if it assumes power at the Center in 2024.

Kharge criticized the Narendra Modi government for delaying the implementation of the bill for a decade, despite the absence of significant legal complications.

During their support for the bill in Parliament, the Congress called for immediate implementation and inclusion of a quota for women from Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Addressing a party rally in Jaipur ahead of the Rajasthan elections, Kharge stated, “When our government comes in 2024, the first thing we will do is make amendments to the bill.”

The Parliament recently passed the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. This bill was the first to be discussed and passed in the newly constructed Parliament building.

In his speech, Kharge alleged that former President Ram Nath Kovind was not invited to the foundation-laying ceremony of the new Parliament building because of his caste, referring to him as “untouchable.”

He also noted that President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, which he deemed an insult to the president’s office.

Kharge questioned the Modi government’s intentions behind introducing the women’s reservation bill, suggesting that the BJP is reluctant to grant women reservation despite not explicitly stating so.

Kharge emphasized that the idea for the bill came about when Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and himself initiated the INDIA bloc, an alliance of several opposition parties.

He criticized the BJP for utilizing a special parliamentary session to showcase the new Parliament building, emphasizing that the parliament’s purpose is to address people’s issues, not for exhibition.

Kharge accused the BJP of previously opposing the women’s reservation bill when the Congress-led government introduced it, only to later portray themselves as champions of the cause.

He asserted that the Congress has a history of respecting women, citing prominent female leaders from the party’s ranks.

Kharge urged the public to protect the Constitution and democracy, warning that failure to do so would result in servitude.

He questioned Prime Minister Modi’s repeated inquiry about the Congress’s achievements over 70 years and claimed that the BJP pits four candidates against the Congress: one from the BJP, one from the Enforcement Directorate, one from the Income Tax Department, and one from the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Meanwhile, at a press conference in Delhi, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate expressed the party’s wholehearted support for the women’s reservation bill and urged the BJP to ensure its prompt implementation. She voiced concern that the promise might become another political slogan.

Shrinate also noted that the wait for women’s reservation might extend until 2039 due to the upcoming census in 2031. She accused the BJP’s women parliamentarians of ignoring crimes against women and claimed that the BJP introduced the bill hastily out of fear of defeat by the opposition INDIA bloc.

Jaipur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who embarked on a day-long visit to Jaipur, delighted locals with an unexpected scooter ride. A video capturing Mr. Gandhi riding pillion on a college student’s scooter outside a local institution has rapidly gained traction on social media.

The 13-second video clip portrays the former Congress chief, surrounded by students, educators, and his security detail, enjoying a brief scooter journey.

Mr. Gandhi was spotted engaging in conversation with the student in photographs he shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. In his post, he declared, “Empower women like Mimansha Upadhyay, and they’ll lead our country to a brighter future.”

Upon his arrival at the Jaipur airport earlier today, he was warmly greeted by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, core committee convener for state polls Sukhjinder Randhawa, and the party’s state unit chief, Govind Singh Dotasra.

Mr. Gandhi, accompanied by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, laid the foundation stone for the new Pradesh Congress Committee building and unveiled a commemorative plaque. Both leaders also addressed a public rally in the state, where upcoming elections loom.

During an address to Congress workers, Mr. Gandhi passionately advocated for a caste census and questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared to be “afraid” of it, as reported by PTI. He further called for the immediate implementation of women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, stating, “As soon as I began raising the issue of a caste census in Parliament, BJP MPs attempted to silence my voice.” He emphasized an ongoing ideological battle between the BJP and the Congress.