An auto-rickshaw driver was arrested here for a daring maneuver on a bustling pedestrian overpass, which he used as an escape route to avoid traffic snarl.

This incident took place at the Hamdard Nagar Red Light Sangam Vihar Traffic Circle.

“We have taken custody of the auto-rickshaw and arrested a 25-year-old driver named Munna, a resident of Sangam Vihar. Additionally, Amit, another resident from the same locality who provided assistance and joined the driver inside the auto, was also apprehended,” said a senior police official.

Remarkably, the auto-rickshaw operator found himself trapped in a traffic congestion on the road beneath the foot-over bridge.

As per video doing rounds on social media, in a bid to break free from this predicament, he executed a daring sequence of maneuvers.

Initially, he skillfully executed a sharp turn, positioning the auto-rickshaw onto a pedestrian pathway. Subsequently, he defied gravity by propelling the vehicle up the stairs of the foot-over bridge.

Video footage of the incident reveals that the auto-rickshaw was unoccupied when it ascended the bridge. However, another man was observed entering the vehicle after assisting the driver in negotiating the challenging terrain of the stairwell.

Meanwhile, pedestrians on the bridge were left astonished by this audacious feat and promptly cleared a path to allow the auto-rickshaw to pass through.

High-Level Committee’s Formation Sparks Controversy

New Delhi, – In a scathing criticism of the Modi government’s recent move to form an eight-member high-level committee to examine the feasibility of ‘one nation, one election,’ Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of attempting to dismantle India’s federal structure. Kharge, supported by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asserted that the proposal posed a threat to the states’ autonomy and aimed at transforming democratic India into a dictatorship.

Kharge questioned the government’s rationale for establishing the committee without consulting national and state-level political parties and without the involvement of elected state governments. He emphasized that implementing such a significant change in the Indian electoral process required at least five amendments to the Constitution and substantial modifications to the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

He further raised concerns about the absence of a representative from the prestigious Election Commission of India on the committee and questioned the wisdom of undertaking such a major disruption in the electoral process unilaterally.

“The Modi government wants to slowly turn democratic India into a dictatorship. This gimmick of forming a committee on ‘one nation, one election’ is a subterfuge for dismantling the federal structure of India,” Kharge declared on X, formerly Twitter.

Kharge also challenged the idea of synchronized elections, suggesting that the cost-saving argument was shortsighted, considering the Election Commission’s expenditure on elections between 2014-19. He proposed alternative solutions, such as adjusting the moratorium length or relaxing restrictions on developmental activities during election seasons, which could garner wider consensus among political parties.

Furthermore, Kharge criticized the BJP for its alleged penchant for overthrowing elected governments, leading to a surge in by-elections since 2014 and rendering the anti-defection law ineffective.

On Saturday, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury — who was the lone opposition voice in the committee — declined to be a member of the panel, saying he cannot be part of the committee, the “terms of reference” of which “have been prepared in a manner to guarantee its conclusions.” He called the exercise an “eyewash.”

As the debate over ‘one nation, one election’ continues to intensify, political tensions remain high, with opposition leaders raising significant concerns about the potential implications for India’s federal structure and democratic principles.

In a momentous announcement, the Indian National Congress has revealed its plan to orchestrate the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in every district throughout the nation, commemorating the first anniversary of its groundbreaking yatra on September 7.

The ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ originally initiated in Kanyakumari on September 7 of the preceding year, led by the prominent Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, concluded its epic journey on January 30 in Srinagar, after an awe-inspiring odyssey encompassing 3,970 kilometers. This remarkable expedition traversed 12 states, two Union territories, and spanned over an astonishing 130 days.

During the initial leg of this extraordinary yatra, Rahul Gandhi traversed an astonishing distance of nearly 4,000 kilometers, embarking from Kanyakumari and concluding in Kashmir. In an exhilarating development, it has been officially confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will embark on a brand-new ‘padayatra’ (foot march) commencing from Gujarat and culminating in Meghalaya.

“Education should be a beacon of enlightenment, not a battleground for divisive ideologies.” – Karn Thapar

Karn Thapar has emphasized in Hindustan Times that schools should not be used for religious polarization. Referring to recent incidents at two schools, the author has highlighted the need to educate teachers and expressed the expectation that the government should address such issues.

Drawing from personal experience, the columnist mentioned that even when one recalls making a mistake, it often feels right. However, in recent incidents at different schools, teachers from various communities behaved remarkably differently with their students. In these instances, children were not physically punished but rather humiliated, not to acknowledge their mistake and correct it, but to demean them. It was driven by differences in beliefs, fueling sectarian hatred.

Karn Thapar writes that in Khair, Uttar Pradesh, a teacher and principal, Tarpti Tyagi, imposed a severe punishment on a Muslim child for not doing homework. Classmates from his community took turns beating the child. The child was referred to as a “Muslim boy” while being humiliated. Another example is from Jammu and Kashmir, where a student in the 10th grade wrote “Jai Shri Ram” on the blackboard. When Professor Farooq Ahmed saw this, he scolded the student severely in front of others and then took him to the principal’s office. They jointly punished the student, warning that they would give him a harsher punishment if he repeated such an act.

The columnist narrates these examples to highlight that these are not good times, and they don’t reflect well on humanity.

“In the newly opened KARNATAKA store of love, the effects of hatred still remain.”
“Teaching is not merely a profession; it’s a sacred duty to nurture the minds and hearts of the next generation.”

In a recent development, the Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy has taken swift action by transferring a teacher and launching a departmental inquiry in response to allegations that she told two Muslim students to “go to Pakistan” at a government school in Shivamogga. The teacher, identified as Manjula Devi, vehemently denies these claims.

The incident occurred at a school in Tipu Nagar, where Manjula Devi, allegedly addressing two Class 5 students, made the controversial statement. The move to initiate an inquiry and transfer the teacher comes after a formal complaint was filed by A Nazrullah, a leader from the JD(S) party in Shivamogga.

Parameshwarappa C R, Deputy Director of Public Instruction in Shivamogga, confirmed the actions taken, stating, “We received the complaint on Thursday. Action was initiated against the teacher based on a preliminary inquiry by the block education officer.”

According to Parameshwarappa, during the preliminary investigation, the teacher asserted that she made the remarks as a form of discipline, citing unruly behavior and a lack of respect from the students in her class.

Nazrullah’s complaint alleges that while admonishing the two students, Manjula Devi declared that India is “not your country. This is a country of Hindus. You should go to Pakistan.”

Following the incident, the students reported it to their parents, who subsequently alerted local leaders. In response, the block education officer conducted a preliminary probe and submitted a report.

This incident has sparked debate and concern, highlighting the importance of ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment within educational institutions. Further developments in the departmental inquiry will be closely monitored.

In a significant development, high-ranking officials from the Union Law Ministry convened on Sunday for a crucial preparatory briefing session with former President Ram Nath Kovind. Kovind currently chairs a distinguished high-level committee tasked with the examination and formulation of recommendations for the implementation of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The government’s announcement of the formation of this pivotal eight-member committee took place on Saturday, signaling the administration’s commitment to exploring this electoral reform.

Sources with insights into the matter have disclosed that during the briefing session, Law Secretary Niten Chandra and Legislative Secretary Reeta Vasishta, among other key officials, engaged in discussions with Chairman Kovind. The primary objective was to gain clarity on Kovind’s strategic approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with simultaneous polls.

Notably, Secretary Niten Chandra holds the dual responsibility of serving as the secretary to the high-level committee, highlighting the significance of his insights in the process. Meanwhile, Legislative Secretary Reeta Vasishta’s department specializes in matters related to elections, the Representation of the People Act, and the associated regulatory frameworks.

This meeting between Chairman Kovind and top Law Ministry officials marks a crucial step in the deliberations and preparations for potential simultaneous elections, a reform that has been a topic of debate and discussion within the Indian political landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on this important development.

Udhayanidhi Stalin has since clarified his statement, saying, “I have never advocated genocide against those who follow Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people based on identity and religion. Eradicating Sanatan Dharma means upholding humanity and equality. I stand by every word I said.”

New Delhi — Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and a state minister, has stirred up a political storm with his contentious comments regarding Sanatana Dharma. According to NDTV, Udhayanidhi Stalin stated during a conference this week that Sanatana Dharma is contrary to the concept of social justice and should be “eliminated.” Furthermore, he compared Sanatana Dharma to diseases like dengue and malaria, drawing strong criticism from BJP leaders.

Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP’s IT cell, strongly opposed Udhayanidhi’s statement. The controversy over Udhayanidhi’s comments has also ignited a heated debate on social media.

In response to the public outcry, a complaint has been filed with Delhi Police by Supreme Court lawyer Vineet Jindal on Sunday. Jindal alleges that Udhayanidhi Maran made a provocative, inflammatory, derogatory, and inciting statement against Sanatan Dharma.

In his complaint, Jindal stated, “As a Hindu and a follower of Sanatan Dharma, my religious sentiments have been hurt by the statements made by Udhayanidhi Stalin, who called for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma and compared it to mosquitoes, dengue, corona, and malaria.”

Udhayanidhi’s remarks were made during a conference in Chennai, where he argued that Sanatana Dharma is not just a difference of opinion but should be eliminated. He claimed that Sanatana Dharma inherently promotes divisions based on caste, creed, and religion, opposing equality and social justice.

Udhayanidhi Stalin has since clarified his statement, saying, “I have never advocated genocide against those who follow Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan Dharma is a principle that divides people based on identity and religion. Eradicating Sanatan Dharma means upholding humanity and equality. I stand by every word I said.”

He added, “I am ready to present the extensive contributions of Periyar and Ambedkar on any platform. I am prepared to conduct extensive research on the negative effects of Sanatan Dharma on society. I am ready to face any challenge that comes my way, whether it be in court or in the court of public opinion. Stop spreading fake news.”

This controversy has sparked a debate about freedom of speech, religious sentiments, and the role of public figures in shaping discourse. The unfolding events will determine whether any legal action is taken in response to the complaint.

New Delhi— Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has been admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi due to a mild fever. However, sources confirm that her condition is stable, offering reassurance to her well-wishers.

Ms. Gandhi’s admission to the central Delhi hospital took place on Saturday evening, according to a senior doctor who spoke with PTI. The medical team attending to her has noted that while she does have a mild fever, she is in good health overall.

A team of dedicated doctors is closely monitoring her condition, ensuring she receives the best possible care. Sources close to the situation emphasize that her condition remains stable, alleviating concerns regarding her health.