New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) The Doppler Weather Radar network is set to rise from the current 37 operational radars to 73 by 2025-26, and further to 126 by 2026, the government has said.

The new installations are being planned in high-priority regions such as Bengaluru, Raipur, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Guwahati and Port Blair, among others.

It was announced during a high-level meeting of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and key ministries, chaired by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, to review India's weather and disaster preparedness, and roll out roadmap for accurate forecast.

The minister called for expediting expansion of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) coverage and modernisation of meteorological systems across the country.

At present, Delhi has 18 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in operation. During the review, the Minister directed officials to expedite the installation of 50 additional systems, with a long-term goal of scaling up to 100 AWS.

This move aims to bring Delhi’s weather forecasting infrastructure on par with global standards. These automated systems are designed to deliver highly specific, accurate, and timely forecasts, significantly enhancing the city’s capacity to monitor and respond to changing weather conditions.

Amidst the growing frequency of extreme weather events, Dr Singh emphasised the urgent need for real-time, impact-based forecasting that can help minimise damage and save lives.

“No weather hazard should go undetected or unpredicted,” the Minister asserted, underscoring the government’s resolve to build a resilient early warning system that reaches every corner of the country.

The minister was briefed on the selection of radar sites and the overall progress of the “Mission Mausam” launched by PM Narendra Modi, which aims to revolutionise India’s weather monitoring infrastructure. The plan includes improved satellite meteorology systems, upgraded numerical prediction models, and a more robust radar-based forecasting mechanism.

“The ability to track extreme weather events with greater precision will not only boost disaster management efforts but also directly benefit farmers, fishermen, aviation, and various other sectors,” Dr Singh noted during the meeting.

—IANS

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Ahmedabad, April 26 (IANS) More than 400 illegal immigrants were arrested in Ahmedabad and over 100 in Surat during a pre-dawn crackdown from Friday night to Saturday morning.

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch, in collaboration with teams from the SOG, EOW, Zone 6, and Headquarters, launched a large-scale combing operation targeting illegal foreign immigrants in the city.

The operation began at 3 am on Saturday and led to the detention of over 400 suspected illegal immigrants, mainly from Bangladesh.

Ahmedabad Crime Branch Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Sharad Singhal told IANS that the operation was based on specific Intelligence inputs from the Minister of State for Home Affairs and the Director General of Police (DGP) regarding illegal immigrants residing near Chandola in Ahmedabad.

"As many as 457 infiltrators have been arrested, interrogation of all is going on, all will be deported," JCP Singhal confirmed.

He further stated that two FIRs had already been registered by the Crime Branch since April 2024, through which 127 Bangladeshi nationals had been arrested, and 77 of them had been deported, after which the police received inputs regarding more illegal immigrants living in the area.

"Earlier, 127 Bangladeshi infiltrators were arrested by filing two FIRs, 70 have been deported, and the rest of the proceedings are underway," he added.

The authorities revealed that all of those detained were found possessing fake Indian citizenship documents.

"All of them have fake documents of Indian citizenship, on what basis and with whose help the documents were made we will find out. They will be deported after investigation," JCP Singhal said.

He further added that the process of deportation would begin after the completion of the interrogation and legal formalities.

Meanwhile, in a parallel operation in Surat, city police carried out a widespread search across six different police station areas -- Udhana, Katargam, Mahidharpura, Pandesara, Salabatpur, and Limbayat -- where they detained over 100 Bangladeshi citizens.

These individuals were reportedly living in the city for years using fake documents and were engaged in various occupations.

The Surat police's operation began late on Friday night and is ongoing. Multiple police teams are currently interrogating those detained to ascertain how they acquired forged documents and how long they have been residing in the city undetected.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan has resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). Over the past two days, Pakistani military posts have been targeting Indian positions with small-arms fire. The Indian Army has given a strong and appropriate response to these provocations, official sources said.

Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties on the Indian side during the exchange. A similar incident was reported on Friday, when Pakistani forces once again opened fire across the LoC. The Indian Army responded firmly, demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to maintaining national security.

The increased tension comes in the aftermath of a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists. In a horrifying act of targeted violence, the attackers asked for the identities and religion of the tourists before shooting them.

The incident resulted in the tragic loss of 26 lives and has triggered intensified anti-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

In response to the attack, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in J&K on Friday to review the security situation.

During his visit, General Dwivedi held crucial meetings with top military commanders and security officials. He met with the Lieutenant Governor of J&K and reviewed security arrangements with the Director General of Police.

The COAS also conducted inspections at the headquarters of the Victor Force and 15 Corps, receiving detailed briefings on the ongoing operations.

The visit underscores India’s multi-pronged strategy to dismantle the infrastructure and ecosystem of terrorism. The Indian government has also announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam attack. This decision is expected to significantly impact the water supply flowing from India to Pakistan, increasing pressure on Islamabad.

India has clearly stated that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan takes concrete steps to curb terrorism.

General Dwivedi's high-level meetings focussed on short-term and long-term security measures and emphasised enhanced coordination among various security agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will unveil a book titled 'The Hindu Manifesto', authored by a senior member of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Swami Vigyananand, on Saturday at the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya in New Delhi.

'The Hindu Manifesto' lays out a vision for national and global transformation through a Dharma-centric lens, rooted in the wisdom of ancient Hindu texts such as the Vedas, Ramayan, Mahabharata, Arthashastra, and Shukranitisar.

Designed as a blueprint for civilisational resurgence, the book outlines eight foundational 'Sutras' or guiding principles -- prosperity for all, national security, quality education, responsible democracy, respect for women, social harmony, respect for one's heritage, and the sacredness of nature.

According to the author, these Sutras provide the framework for a stable, just, and sustainable society. The manifesto argues that both civilisational depth and strong foundational governance are essential to a nation's strength and longevity.

The book presents a model of responsible democracy inspired by the ideals of 'Ram Rajya', promoting governance based on justice, public welfare, and integrity.

It also delves into contemporary reinterpretations of Hindu social frameworks, aiming to dispel long-held misconceptions about 'Varna' and 'Jati', and advocating a non-discriminatory and inclusive social order.

By weaving together ancient philosophical insights and modern strategic thought, The Hindu Manifesto aims to serve as a moral and intellectual compass for India's rise in a shifting global landscape.

It urges the realignment of governance, society, and education with timeless civilisational values to achieve collective prosperity and harmony.

Swami Vigyananand, the book's author, is a distinguished scholar of Hindu Dharma and an IIT alumnus with deep knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy. His expertise also spans modern disciplines like economics, diplomacy, and strategy.

As Joint General Secretary of the VHP, he oversees its international coordination and is the driving force behind platforms like the World Hindu Economic Forum and the World Hindu Congress.

His latest work is seen as a thought-provoking contribution to the ongoing discourse on India's future as a civilisational state in the 21st century.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth in various government departments and organisations through video conferencing on Saturday as part of the 15th edition of the Rozgar Mela.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country and is in line with the Centre's commitment to placing the highest priority on employment generation.

This nationwide initiative aims to provide meaningful opportunities for youth empowerment and to enable them to contribute effectively to the country's progress.

The fresh recruits, selected from different parts of India, will join central government ministries and departments, including the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances and Pensions, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Railways, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, among others.

Since the launch of the Rozgar Mela in October 2022, the Centre has offered over 10 lakh permanent government jobs. During the 14th edition of Rozgar Mela held in December last year, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that 71,000 job offers were distributed.

At the event, he noted that the job fairs were part of the government's broader vision to ensure employment is provided with full transparency and accountability.

Rozgar Mela, which began on October 22, 2022, with the distribution of 75,000 appointment letters in its first edition, marks a crucial step in the government's efforts to create robust employment avenues for the youth. The recruitment drive for 10 lakh personnel was launched to facilitate employment generation and bridge the gap between job seekers and various government sectors.

The initiative is seen as a vital move to not only reduce unemployment but also empower young individuals to actively participate in India's growth story.

At the previous edition, PM Modi had also noted that India had entered into migration and employment agreements with 21 countries in recent years. These include nations such as Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, and Italy, along with several Gulf countries.

--IANS

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Srinagar, April 26 (IANS) Security forces have intensified their crackdown on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives and suspects linked to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22. In a series of targeted actions, multiple houses of active terrorists across South Kashmir were demolished overnight as part of the counterterrorism operations, sources said.

On Friday night, the house of Shahid Ahmad Kuttay, a top LeT commander from Chotipora in Shopian, was reduced to rubble by authorities. Kuttay has reportedly been active in terror-related activities for the past three to four years and is accused of playing a major role in coordinating anti-national operations, according to the sources.

In another operation, the house of active terrorist Zahid Ahmed from Matalhama in Kulgam was also demolished during the night, further escalating the campaign against terrorists operating in the region.

Meanwhile, in Pulwama district, the double-storey home of LeT terrorist Ehsan Ahmad Sheikh, active since June 2023, was torn down.

Another Lashkar terrorist, Haris Ahmad -- also active since 2023 -- had his residence destroyed in a blast in the Kachipora area of Pulwama.

In the Murran area of Pulwama, the house of Pahalgam attack suspect Ahsan Ul Haq Sheikh was also levelled in an explosion. Ahsan, who underwent terror training in Pakistan in 2018, had recently re-entered the valley, raising concerns among intelligence agencies.

Earlier on Friday, a house in Monghama, Tral, linked to suspected terrorist Asif Sheikh, was destroyed in a powerful explosion. Sheikh, reportedly a local LeT commander, is under investigation for his potential involvement in the Pahalgam attack.

Sources indicated that security forces discovered suspicious materials inside the house during a search operation and retreated for safety. Shortly after, a massive blast tore through the building, suggesting the likely presence of explosive substances.

In another significant development, the residence of Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Adil Thokar, also known as Adil Guree, was demolished in Guree, Bijbehara.

Authorities believe Thokar played a crucial role in the April 22 attack. He had legally visited Pakistan in 2018, where he is suspected to have received terror training, and returned to the region last year. Since then, he has been on the radar of security and intelligence agencies for his involvement in insurgent activities.

The widespread demolition drive comes amid heightened counterterrorism efforts and follows sweeping retaliatory actions by India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

On April 22, terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), carried out a massacre in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

--IANS

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Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Moeen Ali has called for a more expressive batting approach ahead of their crucial rematch against Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Saturday at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ali addressed the team's recent batting struggles that have led to consecutive defeats, including a collapse against the same Punjab side just two games ago.

"We have to go out there and express ourselves as players and just have a bit more fun," Ali said. "I think sometimes from the outside you can see that the pressure is a lot on players generally, but it's just about taking that pressure off, enjoying yourself, and showing your skills."

The veteran England international believes KKR's batting lineup remains one of the strongest in the competition despite their inconsistent performances. He highlighted the team's diverse batting talent, from Sunil Narine's aggression to Ajinkya Rahane's classical approach.

"Our real strength is obviously that we have guys who can go and play shots, almost ultra-aggressive in someone like Sunil Narine, but then you also have Ajinkya, who is a more classical type of player who plays beautiful shots and is in red-hot form," Ali noted.

When asked about KKR's playoff chances, Ali remained optimistic despite their midseason slump. "If you look at history, even if you look at Mumbai for example, they had a bit of a bad start, now they've won I think four in a row, five in a row, and they're flying," he said.

The 37-year-old also addressed the psychological challenge of facing Punjab Kings again after their recent batting collapse against Yuzvendra Chahal, who claimed four wickets in their previous encounter.

"You never forget, obviously it is very difficult to forget," Ali admitted. "But this tournament is such that you will have a couple of bad games in between and real tests, and tomorrow is going to be a real test."

Ali suggested KKR's batters need to approach Chahal differently this time: "There are two ways to go. You either think that he is going to destroy you again, or you take him on a bit more and be confident. So hopefully, we will do the latter."

--IANS

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Shivamogga (Karnataka), April 26 (IANS) Karnataka BJP MLA S.N. Channabasappa has stirred a controversy, saying that Robert Vadra, husband of the Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, should be shot for his controversial remarks over the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

MLA Channabasappa was arrested 10 years ago for hate speech against the then CM Siddaramaiah. He had publicly threatened to behead CM Siddaramaiah if he dared to consume cow meat.

Speaking at a press conference held at his office in Shivamogga, MLA Channabasappa, expressing his outrage, stated that Robert Vadra has committed treason by speaking in favour of terrorists, and demanded that he be shot dead.

The MLA stated, “Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, late PM Indira Gandhi's assassination, and late PM Rajiv Gandhi's assassination have occurred. You (Congress) talk about Godse regarding Gandhi's assassination. Khalistanis assassinated Indira Gandhi. Did you call Khalistanis traitors?”

“Rajiv Gandhi's assassination took place in Tamil Nadu, and now you hold them in high regard. Why don't you talk about the failures of our state? You talk about Kashmir and call it a security failure. Robert Vadra is an ordinary man; just because he is an MP’s husband, can he say whatever he wants? That's why I say Vadra should be shot dead,” he stated.

He questioned whether jihadists who kill ordinary people will go to heaven, stating that they will not.

MLA Channabasappa further demanded that the slogan "Bomb Pakistan, flower Bharat mata" should be made a reality.

He said that the killing of Indian citizens by entering Indian borders is condemnable, and the Indian government will give a suitable response.

He said that it is necessary to see how Muslims live in India and how Hindus live in Pakistan.

Congress criticises India while claiming to be with it. Terrorism must be condemned, and nothing more should be said there, he maintained.

“We know that surgical strikes have taken place. The decision taken against Pakistan is appreciated worldwide. The Indian government has cancelled all visas for Pakistan, closed the embassy, and sent back officials. Air travel, Pakistani media, and Twitter accounts have been banned,” the MLA said.

The people of the country do not need to be afraid. The work of levelling Pakistan flat will be done. Hindus have always been the target, even during late PM Jawahar Lal Nehru's time. Congress is doing the work of treason. What is the condition of Shias and Hindus in Pakistan? We know what you did to Hindus in Pakistan. The concept of Pakistan nation will be packed up. It seems there is no doubt that undivided India will be a reality, MLA Channabasappa stated.

Where else should we talk about Hindutva if not in a Hindu nation? Congress should stop supporting and instigating terrorists, he said.

Addressing Karnataka Chief Minister, he said, “Siddaramaiah, if you have the courage, say that you will support the eradication of terrorism, he challenged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will teach Pakistan a fitting lesson, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should support this.”

“You who talk about Bharat Jodo (Unite India) should not support traitors. The origin of those who create terrorism must be eradicated. A powerful India needs to teach Pakistan a fitting lesson. India is the only Hindustan for Hindus, and it is necessary for us to preserve it. Therefore, a fitting lesson must be taught. It seems to me that India is preparing for war,” he concluded.

When questioned about the statement of the MLA on shooting Robert Vadra, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated on Friday that he won’t answer for those statements.

Vadra, speaking a day after the attack, suggested that the violence was rooted in the growing divide between Hindus and Muslims in India, which, he argued, was being exacerbated by the BJP-led government’s ‘Hindutva’ agenda.

"In our country, we see that this government will talk about Hindutva, and the minorities feel uncomfortable and troubled...If you dissect this terrorist act that took place, if they (terrorists) are looking at people’s identity, why are they doing this? Because there's a divide that has come about in our country with Hindus and Muslims..." Vadra said.

--IANS

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Mysuru, April 8 (IANS) Responding to the criticism over the hike in LPG cylinder prices, Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra took a swipe at the Congress party leaders, saying that if someone like Rahul Gandhi had become the Prime Minister, the price would have been Rs 2,500 instead of Rs 850.

Speaking to media representatives in Mysuru on Tuesday, Vijayendra responded to the critical remarks made by the Chief Minister and other ministers about the hike in LPG prices.

He said, "Even after the Rs 50 increase, it now stands at Rs 850. In August 2023, it was reduced by Rs 200 to Rs 907. The Central government has increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 2 due to rising crude oil prices in the international market. But this burden hasn’t been passed on to the common people.

"It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who launched the Ujjwala scheme so that even the poor living in huts could use LPG. In March 2023, the price of a gas cylinder was Rs 1107. If someone like Rahul Gandhi had become the Prime Minister, the cylinder price would have been Rs 2,500,” he remarked.

“The Central government has made decisions on petrol, diesel, and gas cylinders based on rising international crude prices. But isn't it the state government that raised milk prices? Aren’t you taxing garbage? Haven’t you increased water charges? Are you importing milk from the international market?” he questioned.

"The government led by CM Siddaramaiah in the state has increased the prices of 48 essential commodities. It appears that CM Siddaramaiah has formed an expert committee solely for hiking prices," criticized Vijayendra.

Vijayendra said, “No other state government has burdened the common people like this. In Karnataka, the Congress and Siddaramaiah are doing just that.”

“This government has no direction. They've increased the prices of petrol, water, and diesel. They’re even levying taxes on garbage. The price of milk has gone up by Rs 9. They have increased taxes on petrol and diesel by Rs 7.50,” he stated.

“Who is burdening the people by increasing the prices of 48 essential goods -- Siddaramaiah or PM Modi? You tell me,” he questioned.

He pointed out that though the Central government has increased excise duty on petrol and diesel, it hasn’t passed the burden on to the people; instead, the companies are bearing the cost, according to the Central ministers.

“The police department was supposed to receive salaries on the 1st of the month, but even by the 7th, they haven’t received them this month. Teachers, too, have not been paid. Government employees haven’t received their salaries. This is a clear indicator of the state’s poor financial condition,” said Vijayendra.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed a plea filed by the Jharkhand government challenging the Jharkhand High Court order barring power cuts during Ram Navami and other festivals.

A bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar decided to close the proceedings after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Jharkhand government, submitted that the state discom kept power cuts restricted only to procession routes in terms of the previous order of the apex court.

Sibal said that an affidavit of the Managing Director of the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) regarding compliance with the directives issued by the top court will be placed on record.

On Friday, the CJI Khanna-led Bench stressed that power cuts should be kept to a minimum duration during festivals and ordered restricting power cuts be limited to procession routes during Ram Navami this year. It modified the Jharkhand High Court order barring power cuts during Ram Navami and other festivals, clarifying that essential services, including hospitals, must not be affected by the power cuts.

In its special leave petition filed before the Supreme Court, the Jharkhand government had argued that temporary power cuts were a necessary safety measure as long flags carried during processions posed a risk of electric shocks.

The JBVNL has been routinely suspending power supply for several hours on festival days to prevent accidents.

The issue gained attention after a five-to-ten-hour power outage in Ranchi during the Sarhul festival on April 1. Taking suo motu cognisance, a bench of Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roshan of Jharkhand High Court on April 3 stayed the state government’s practice, questioning the lack of alternative safety measures and the hardships caused to residents. It expressed concern about the effects of the outages on local businesses, which faced forced closures and revenue losses. Such disruptions, the Jharkhand HC said, not only cause inconvenience to the residents but also pose safety risks.

The Chief Justice Rao-led Bench had ordered the JBVNL not to undertake long power cuts unless absolutely necessary.

Aggrieved with the directives, the Jharkhand government petitioned the Supreme Court, saying that past electrocution incidents during Ram Navami and other religious processions justified these precautionary power cuts.

--IANS

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Patna, April 8 (IANS) In its first cabinet meeting after the Budget Session of the Bihar Legislature, the Nitish Kumar-led government on Tuesday approved 27 major proposals including the creation of over 25,000 posts in various departments, signaling a focus on employment generation ahead of the Assembly elections to be held later this year.

The meeting, held at the Cabinet Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saw the participation of a majority of state ministers.

Among the significant decisions was an amendment to the 2006 rules governing the salary and allowances of ministers -- a move seen as politically crucial in an election year.

In a major recruitment drive, the cabinet approved the creation of 2,590 posts in the Agriculture Department; 3,306 posts for Urdu translators; 35 Data Entry Operator posts in the Staff Selection Commission; 36 positions in AYUSH hospitals; 48 new posts in the Liquor Prohibition Department; and over 20,000 additional positions in the Health Department.

Within the Health Department, the sanctioned posts include government doctors and staff nurses for medical colleges, Sadar Hospitals, Community Health Centres, and Primary Health Centres.

To push digital governance, the cabinet approved Rs 38 crore for setting up video conferencing facilities across all revenue courts in the state.

Several new administrative rules were also cleared, including the Bihar Education Administration Relation Rules, 2025; the Bihar Drug Laboratory Technical Shortage Contract Rules, 2025; and the Bihar Dental Education Service Rules, 2025.

Other key decisions include land approval for Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, increasing the Bihar Contingency Fund to Rs 10,000 crore, and extending the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy, 2016, until 2025.

Additionally, two officers -- Baidyanath Yadav and Pankaj Kumar -- were appointed as consultants in their respective departments, while Dr Ramraj Raman was dismissed from service.

These approvals underscore the government’s emphasis on strengthening public services and infrastructure while laying the groundwork for an electorally significant year.

--IANS

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Jaipur, April 8 (IANS) BJP's senior leader Gyan Dev Ahuja has been suspended from the primary membership of the party after sprinkling Ganga jal following the visit of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Tika Ram Jully, to a Ram Mandir.

A show cause notice has also been issued, and the BJP has demanded a response from Ahuja within three days.

The suspension of Ahuja from the BJP and the show cause notice come days after he sprinkled Ganga jal at a temple in Alwar to 'purify' the premises after Congress leader Tikaram Jully, a Dalit, attended the temple's consecration ceremony.

Determined not to let Ahuja's 'purification' stunt harm its prospects in eastern Rajasthan, where Dalit voters play a key role, the Rajasthan BJP leadership has sent a notice to Ahuja.

The notice, issued by BJP MP and senior Rajasthan leader Damodar Agarwal, has sought an explanation from Ahuja within three days.

The notice warns that if the former MLA does not send his response to state party chief Madan Rathore within three days, he will face disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Congress workers across the state held protests against Ahuja on Tuesday.

In a symbolic act of dissent, late on Monday night, activists of an organisation smeared the nameplate outside Ahuja’s residence in Mansarovar, Jaipur, with soot.

LoP Jully visited the Ramlala temple in Alwar’s Shalimar area on April 6.

Following this, Ahuja made the following statement: “Tika Ram Jully is anti-Hindu. He visited the Karni Mata temple and also the Shri Ram temple. After he leaves, I will go to those places and wherever his unholy feet fell, wherever his hands touched the idols, I will sprinkle Ganga jal and offer my prayers to Lord Shri Ram.”

The very next day, on April 7, former Ramgarh MLA Ahuja visited the Ram temple and sprinkled Ganga jal.

Ahuja defended his actions, saying: “During the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ramlala temple on Ramnavami, Congress leaders were invited, which I believe led to the temple being defiled. I have now purified it by sprinkling Ganga jal.”

The show cause notice issued to Ahuja on Tuesday by Damodar Agarwal condemned the BJP leader’s actions, stating that after Jully’s visit, Ahuja’s act of sprinkling Ganga jal at the Ram temple had tarnished the party’s image and was a clear instance of gross indiscipline.

In the notice, Damodar Agarwal also reminded Ahuja of the historical significance of the Ram Mandir’s foundation stone laying ceremony.

He emphasised that the first stone of the temple was laid by Dalit leader Kameshwar Chaupal, underscoring the inclusiveness of the temple's construction.

--IANS

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Chennai, April 25(IANS) Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, whose film 'Thudarum' opened to positive reviews on Friday, has now expressed gratitude for all the love that is being showered on the film, saying that he was "deeply moved and truly humbled by the love and heartfelt response" for Thudarum.

Taking to his X timeline soon after it became evident that the film was a sureshot success, the actor wrote,"I’m deeply moved and truly humbled by the love and heartfelt response for #Thudarum. Each message and every word of appreciation has touched me in ways I can’t fully express."

He then went on to say,"Thank you for opening your hearts to this story, for seeing its soul, and for embracing it with such grace.This gratitude is not mine alone. It belongs to every single person who walked this journey with me, giving their love, effort, and spirit to every frame.

"To Renjith M, Tharun Moorthy, KR Sunil, Shobhana, Binu Pappu, Prakash Varma, Shaji Kumar, Jakes Bejoy and our extraordinary team — your artistry and passion made Thudarum what it is," Mohanlal said.

The actor pointed out that Thudarum was made with care, with purpose, and above all, with truth.

"To see it resonate so deeply is more than a reward. It is a true blessing.With all my heart, thank you. with love and gratitude always," he signed off.

Directed by Tharun Moorthy, Tharunam hit screens on Friday. The film had triggered huge excitement among fans for a number of reasons.

The first and foremost reason was that this film featured actress Shobana opposite Mohanlal after almost 19 years. Their onscreen pairing is among the most loved in Malayalam cinema. Some of the landmark films in which the two actors have been featured together include Manichithrathazhu, Thenmavi Kombathu and Mambazhakkalam.

The next reason was that this film was actor Mohanlal’s 360th film and his 56th film with actress Shobana.

The film has music by Jakes Bejoy and cinematography by Shaji Kumar. Written by K R Sunil and Tharun Moorthy, the film has editing by Shafeeque V B and Nishadh Yusuf.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) "Sky Force" actor Veer Pahariya was on daddy duty for his furry baby during his latest gym session.

Taking to his Insta handle, Veer dropped a video having a gala time with his furry buddy in the gym.

The clip opens with the pet chasing Veer all around the gym, followed by him doing push-ups with his furry friend on his back. Later on, these two were also seen playing with each other after the workout was done.

"On Daddy Duty," Veer captioned the post.

Reacting to the post, actress Khushi Kapoor commented, "His haircut", whereas Janhvi Kapoor penned, "Nepo the menace."

Earlier this month, filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan fulfilled her longtime dream involving Veer.

Farah was seen doing the viral one-legged dance move with Veer from the song "Rang" of "Sky Force". The video started with Farah performing the song with a group of dancers with Veer joining them later. As the two performed the one-legged dance move, others cheered for them.

Farah captioned the post, “I'v been dying to do this step ever since i saw @veerpahariya doing it ! Agar kisi cheez ko dil se maango.. (pls remember im 60 now).” (sic)

Veer made his Bollywood debut with the action entertainer, "Sky Force".

Starring Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan as the leads, the project also saw Nimrat Kaur, and Sharad Kelkar in pivotal roles, along with others.

Made under the direction of Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, "Sky Force" centered around India’s retaliatory strike on Pakistan's Sargodha airbase during the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965, marking India’s first-ever airstrike.

Jointly produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, the drama was released on 24 January 2025.

Meanwhile, Veer is yet to announce his next project after "Sky Force".

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) After making a strong mark for herself in the South, actress Khushi Mukherjee is working hard for her next big Bollywood film with Arbaaz Khan titled "Mutra Visarjan Varjit Hai".

Beyond her character on-screen alongside Arbaaz Khan, Khushi will also be mesmerising her audience with interesting dance performances in the film. In a historic move, this special song will bring together regional superstars like Ravi Kishan, Pawan Singh, Khesari Lal, Nirahua (Dinesh Lal Yadav), and others for the first time together. Khushi's character requires her to be in her best avatar in terms of fitness and glamour and she is leaving no stone unturned to get her act right.

On being asked more about the hard work she is putting in for "Mutra Visarjan Varjit Hai," Khushi shared, "Well, I like to be in my best version all the time and when there's something as nice and special as this, I have to be on point."

Sharing her intense routine, she added, "Currently, my routine involves around 3 hours of intense yoga and dance training. Yoga helps me in keeping my fitness and flexibility in check and we all know how much flexibility plays an important role when dancing. Apart from that, I also follow up my yoga and dance with about 2 hours of meditation daily. Meditation helps me improve my focus and concentration and enhance emotional regulation, an aspect all actors need to have while playing characters on-screen. Besides that, it also helps me improve my sleep which keeps me healthy and energetic to work harder."

Excited about her next, Khushi concluded saying, "So yes, these have already started and soon the movie will be on floors. I can't wait for my audience to see me in a totally new and different avatar. I am super excited and charged up. Looking forward to love from my audience."

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Bollywood stunner Malaika Arora flew to New York for some downtime. Her latest trip to the Big Apple was all about food, fashion, and good music.

Giving her InstaFam a glimpse of her New York diaries, Malaika dropped a sizzling picture of herself in a red gown with a deep neckline.

The 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' actress also shared a sneak peek into the beautiful New York skyline from her window, along with pics of some yummy treats that Malaika enjoyed in NYC.

From where she stayed, to the Broadway shows she witnessed, Malaika's latest IG post says it all.

She further posted a photo of the church she visited while in New York, along with some images of the streets.

At the end of the post captioned "Nyc", Malaika attached a video of a live musical performance she enjoyed in a restaurant.

Earlier this month, Malaika decided to give an insight into her lovely week gone by.

The photographs shared by her on social media included some of her cozy moments at home, along with her stylish outings and wellness rituals. From a serene walk, a fun catch-up with friends, or a quiet moment with her pet, each photo captured a slice of joy from her everyday life.

Taking to her Instagram account, Malaika posted a series of photos and captioned them, “Been a lovely week.”

Malaika loves to share updates from her personal and professional life with the netizens and her Insta feed is proof.

Work-wise, Malaika is seen as a judge in the dance reality show “Hip Hop India 2", alongside Remo D'Souza.

The judges were recently joined by ‘The Hip Hop Army’ to push the bar even higher.

The dance reality series welcomed high-octane performers Akash Thapa, Saumya Kamble, Deepak Shahi aka Nepo, Vartika Jha, and Sushant Khatri, bringing their signature flair to the challenge.

--IANS

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