Jaipur, April 19 (IANS) Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday said that efforts to promote border tourism in the region, particularly near Tanot Mata, continue unabated.

“The BSF has assured completion of ongoing works within the stipulated timeframe. Discussions were also held with the Chief Minister regarding further development. An amphitheatre is under construction near Tanot, where daily programmes can be held in collaboration with the Army and BSF. Its design is currently underway,” the Union Minister told media persons after a review meeting in Jaisalmer

The minister said that the plans are also being considered for constructing a grand entry gate at the site, adding that the Home Minister has instructed that arrangements be made for tourists visiting Tanot to view the international border.

“A joint meeting of the Defence, Home, and Tourism ministries was earlier held under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in this context. Positive outcomes of these discussions will be visible soon,” he added.

When asked about the condition of the Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shekhawat emphasised that its preservation is a collective responsibility.

“Illegal construction in restricted zones is harming the fort’s aesthetics and heritage value. The ASI has issued multiple notices, and I’ve instructed the administration to take strict action,” he said.

Shekhawat also stated that efforts are being made to promote tourism in the district, even during the summer season.

Meanwhile, he strongly criticised the current law and order situation in West Bengal, calling it “painful” and likening it to the pre-Partition era.

Referring to the recent violence in Murshidabad, he said, “What is happening in Bengal today reminds one of Jinnah’s Direct Action. The majority community is being targeted, atrocities are being committed on religious grounds, and the state government remains a mute spectator.”

He accused Mamata Banerjee and her party of allowing Bengal to burn for political gain.

“This is a matter of grave concern in a free and democratic India,” Shekhawat stated.

Responding to questions on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Shekhawat said the changes were necessary to safeguard the interests of poor Muslims.

On the controversy surrounding the Disha meeting, Shekhawat clarified that notices were issued 15 days in advance, in accordance with official protocols.

--IANS

arc/dan

Rajouri, April 19 (IANS) The Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the GMC Associated Hospital in Rajouri has become a crucial pillar of support for the local population and migrant workers alike. Functioning under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), the government-run pharmacy Jan Aushadhi Kendra is now serving over 500 to 600 people daily, offering quality generic medicines at prices up to 90 per cent lower than those found in private pharmacies.

In a region where many struggle with limited incomes, the Kendra is easing financial pressure by making essential medications affordable and accessible. For countless families, this has eliminated the difficult choice between buying high-cost medicine and meeting other basic needs.

Shazia, a local resident, expressed her appreciation for the initiative: "I can now afford my blood pressure medicine without worrying about the cost. This scheme has been a blessing for people like me."

Doctors at GMC Rajouri have also lauded the programme, noting that affordable medicine has improved patient adherence to treatment plans and overall health outcomes.

Toheed Shehzad, who works at the Kendra, told IANS: "I've been working here for a while, and we see a huge crowd every day, even on half-working days like today. Around 600 people visit us daily. Our doctors support the scheme and regularly prescribe these affordable medicines. We have all the commonly required medicines for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and acidity. For example, a medicine that costs Rs 22 here is sold for Rs 130–140 in private stores. Another medicine we sell for Rs 50–60 per strip is available outside for Rs 250. We source our stock from suppliers in Jammu or Delhi."

Customers have echoed similar sentiments, calling the initiative a major relief for economically weaker sections.

Alam Din Dar, a regular customer, shared: "I am truly thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting these affordable medicine outlets. Medicines that cost Rs 1,500–2,000 in private pharmacies are available here for just Rs 100–200. These shops are a blessing for the poor. I come here regularly, and it has really helped me and many others."

Mukesh Kumar Sharma, a daily wage worker from Supaul, Bihar, added: "I want to thank PM Modi for this initiative. The low-cost medicines here help me save a lot of money. If I had to buy these from a private shop, I wouldn't be able to afford them. I'm really happy and grateful to the government for making this possible."

As the popularity of the Jan Aushadhi Kendra grows, residents remain hopeful that the centre will continue to meet rising demand and play a vital role in bridging the healthcare gap in underserved communities.

--IANS

brt/pgh

Haveri, April 19 (IANS) An incident involving the suicide of a Dalit college student, allegedly following harassment by a man from a minority community, was reported in Haveri district in Karnataka on Saturday.

The victim has been identified as Shilpa (22), a resident of Chikkamallur in Shiggaon taluk, while the accused was identified as Ramzan Nadaf.

The former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai has said that the truth has come out in the Dalit student suicide case, saying that the accused belongs to the minority community.

“The truth behind the suicide of a Dalit woman named Shilpa from Chikka Mallur village in Shiggaon taluk has come out that harassment by a person from another community was the reason behind it,” the former Chief Minister posted on X.

He said that it is extremely painful that a student who was supposed to pursue higher education and make a living lost her life due to harassment by a person from another community in a case that had nothing to do with her.

“The truth behind Shilpa’s suicide has come to light late, and there is a possibility that the police may cover up or divert the direction of the case. The police should immediately arrest the person who harassed the young woman and caused her death and give her severe punishment,” he said.

The former Chief Minister also demanded that the state government provide Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the family of the young woman who lost her life through no fault of hers.

The police identified the deceased has been identified as Shilpa (22), a resident of Chikkamallur in Shiggaon taluk, while the accused has been identified as Ramzan Nadaf, the owner of a furniture shop.

An official said that Shilpa, a BCA student studying in Belagavi, was in a relationship with a man named Naveen, who worked at the furniture shop owned by the accused.

He added that Ramzan Nadaf allegedly obtained Shilpa’s phone number and began making frequent calls to her, harassing her relentlessly.

“Unable to cope with the harassment, Shilpa allegedly ended her life by hanging,” he said.

Police said Shilpa and Naveen had been in a relationship for three years, and she was residing in a hostel during her studies.

“Recently, Naveen was accused of theft at the shop. Nadaf allegedly seized Naveen’s mobile phone, went through his messages with Shilpa, and obtained her contact number,” the police said.

The police official said that as per Naveen’s statement, Nadaf repeatedly called Shilpa and claimed that Naveen had stolen money from the shop and transferred it to her.

“He allegedly blackmailed her, threatening to expose their relationship and also inform others about the money. A case has been registered at the Belagavi Market Police Station, and an investigation is underway,” the police official added.

Meanwhile, Pramod Muthalik, the Founder of the Sriram Sene, demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.

He said that Naveen and the deceased Shilpa were in love, and Naveen had been working at Nadaf’s shop.

“Naveen came from a poor family and was supposed to purchase medicine for his ailing mother,” said Muthalik.

He said that the accused had not paid Naveen his salary, due to which Naveen took a few items from the shop to buy medicines.

“Nadaf allegedly assaulted Naveen and also filed a police complaint against him,” he said.

Muthalik claimed that Nadaf had confiscated Naveen’s mobile phone and, after obtaining Shilpa’s contact number from it, began to harass her.

“Unable to bear the torture, Shilpa took her own life. Ramzan Nadaf should be immediately arrested and thrown behind bars,” said Muthalik.

--IANS

mka/dan

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) The demolition of an ancient 90-year-old Jain temple at Vile Parle in Mumbai suburbs has evoked an angry reaction across the political parties, particularly among the members of the Jain community.

The ruling and opposition parties, apart from the Jain community, have strongly condemned the demolition, which they claimed was done without a proper notice being served by the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The civic body demolished the temple, terming it an “illegal construction.” Amid strong protests, BMC transferred an Assistant Commissioner, Navnath Ghadge, who was in charge of K East Ward, with immediate effect.

The BMC justified its action, saying it had a court order, but the Jain community alleged that the temple was demolished without giving them any notice. A peaceful rally was organised today to protest the incident in which the Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and the BJP legislator Parag Alavani also participated.

Protestors gathered from Mumbai city and suburbs and raised slogans like “We are Jain, we will not stop, we will not give up.”

Lodha condemned the demolition and assured, “The temple will be rebuilt on the same spot within ten days. This is not just about a building, it’s about our community’s honour.”

He called upon the community to boycott the hotelier who has been accused of influencing the BMC to demolish the temple, and called for the immediate suspension of ward officer Navnath Ghadge, who authorised the demolition.

“This is not just an administrative decision, it’s a cultural and spiritual assault,” said Jamnalal Hapawat, national president of the Digambar Jain Global Mahasabha. The Jain community plans to organise a rally in the coming week, and is preparing legal battle. They are expected to soon meet the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.

The Congress Legislature Party leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, also condemned the demolition of the temple.

“Jain community is a tolerant and peace-loving community. Yet their old temple was demolished without any notice. This incident is highly condemnable. Why are minority communities being targeted again and again? Does the government not want peace in the society?” he asked.

He demanded that strict action be taken immediately against those officers who have taken this wrong action.

--IANS

sj/dan

New Delhi, April19 (IANS) India remains engaged with "selected partners" on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) despite the current political and security situation in the region, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Saturday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia, next week.

Emphasising that efforts will be made to take forward work on IMEC during PM Modi's two-day visit to Saudi Arabia scheduled from April 22-23, the top diplomat hoped that engagement on IMEC across the original and prospective partners will fructify on the ground soon.

"The political and security in the regions seems like progress of IMEC has frozen, but India has engaged with selected partners and exchanged views on what needs to be done. We don't necessarily need to wait for the security situation to completely settle down for work to start on IMEC," said Misri.

It was on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023 that the leaders of India, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE and US announced an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing to work together to develop a new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The IMEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and northern corridor connecting Gulf to Europe.

"After the signing of the framework understanding on IMEC in September 2023, all partners had an urgent regional situation to address. It meant that the kind of groundwork that was foreseen between all the partners could not begin immediately. That however, does not mean individual countries or groups of countries that are part of the original agreement have not discussed or engaged on what the contours of the agreement will look like and what kind of work will be required to effect progress under this agreement," Foreign Secretary Misri said on Saturday.

The IMEC corridor, which aims at integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East involves multiple stakeholders and will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship to rail transit network to supplement existing maritime routes. It intends to increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, enhance economic cooperation, generate jobs and lower greenhouse gas emission, resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East (West Asia).

"Much of the work related to some of the missing infrastructure linkages in the IMEC corridors is work that makes sense for many of those countries to undertake, whether those links become part of IMEC eventually or not, as they have national relevance and national salience as well," said Misri.

Earlier this week, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, while addressing the IMEC High-Level Roundtable on Connectivity and Economic Growth in New Delhi, said that the visionary concept - a powerful endorsement of the leadership and partnership of India and Middle East and East Europe - has caught the fancy of the world.

Goyal stated that IMEC is not merely a trade route, but a modern-day Silk Route — a partnership of equals — that fosters synergy, connectivity, and inclusive prosperity.

"It will bring down logistics costs by up to 30 per cent, reduce transportation time by 40 per cent, and create seamless trade linkages across continents," he said. "We will not only be linking trade; we will be linking civilizations and cultures — from Southeast Asia to the Gulf, from the Middle East to Central Europe."

--IANS

int/scor/as

New Delhi, April 19 (IANS) The BJP on Saturday mounted pressure on the Congress over the National Herald money laundering case, claiming that the newspaper’s holding company received bogus advance rent payments totalling Rs 38.41 crore from various parties and shell entities.

BJP National Spokesperson Pratyush Kanth said, “Corruption in the National Herald case was executed in three main ways: Through fake rent agreements, advance rent agreements, and bogus advertisements.”

He said AJL received bogus advance rent payments totalling Rs 38.41 crore from various parties, some of whom claimed they acted on the instructions of Congress leaders. There were no valid rent agreements, and the parties involved were shell entities that are used in hawala transactions.

Ahead of a hearing in a special Delhi court on April 25 on ED's prosecution complaint against Congress MPs Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, Kanth said: “Young India, a private company beneficially owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi with 76 per cent holding, received donations worth Rs18.12 crore from various persons and entities which were not found to be genuine."

He said when the ED tried to reach out to these donors it found that these donors do not exist.

“The money donated was ill-gotten and the donations were used as a cover for parking such funds,” he said, drilling a hole into some Congress leaders' defence that the ED’s charges against the Gandhis were ‘politically motivated’ as there was no payment or receipt of money in the case.

Referring to bogus advertisements for which National Herald was paid money by some Congress state governments, Kanth said the Himachal Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid Rs 2 crore to the media outlet for publishing government ads in a newspaper which does not get printed or circulated.

The ED investigation also revealed that Young Indian acquired National Herald or Associated Journals Limited (AJL) properties worth Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth.

The ED probe also indicated that Young Indian and AJL properties were used for the generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore.

The investigation by ED commenced in 2021, based on a cognizance order issued on June 26, 2014, by the Metropolitan Magistrate Patiala House Courts in New Delhi, following a private complaint filed by Subramanian Swamy.

The complaint highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering case.

--IANS

rch/pgh

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) The action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald case is aimed at protecting the nation’s assets from being “taken over by the Gandhi family for personal use”, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters here, the Union Minister said the ED’s actions were about “safeguarding national assets from being siphoned off under the guise of political legacy.”

“It should be utilised for the people and not the Gandhi family, which was trying to keep it for its own interests,” said the minister.

According to Goyal, senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were involved in a conspiracy to take control of the property, which was originally meant for public interest.

The remarks come after the ED filed a chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case.

The Special Court has fixed April 25 for hearing arguments on taking cognisance of the chargesheet. Others named in the chargesheet include Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others.

The fresh trouble for Congress-controlled AJL comes close to the ED serving notices to registrars of property in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow to take possession of attached properties worth Rs 661 crore. These properties were attached after the investigation revealed signification generation, possession and use of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 988 crore.

Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleged a “deep conspiracy” behind the inclusion of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s names in the chargesheet. He claimed the action was politically motivated and part of a broader campaign of vendetta by the BJP-led Centre.

“You must have noticed how, as part of a big conspiracy, the names of CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have been included in the ED chargesheet in the National Herald case. But no matter whose names are included, we are not afraid,” Kharge said, addressing a meeting of AICC general secretaries, state in-charges, and heads of party frontal organisations.

--IANS

na/uk

Patna, April 19 (IANS) In the wake of the violence and tensions in West Bengal's Murshidabad, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee -- the Chief Minister of the neighbouring eastern state, accusing her of failing to maintain law and order.

Sinha alleged that the West Bengal government is "silent" on the attacks against those who believe in Sanatan Dharma, claiming that a particular community is being shielded while the Hindu community is facing persecution.

“People who approach the police are being ignored. Officers are switching off their phones and advising victims to stay indoors. What kind of government is Mamata Banerjee running in West Bengal?” he wondered.

He went on to accuse Mamata Banerjee of trying to “turn West Bengal into Bangladesh”, asserting that Hindus are being targeted in a manner similar to incidents across the border.

Calling the situation “alarming”, Sinha demanded that the Central government take action while assuring that the Centre is closely monitoring the developments in West Bengal.

The unrest comes in the aftermath of the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in both Houses of Parliament, which has since become law following the President’s assent.

Several Muslim organisations have launched protests in opposition to the law, and tensions have reportedly flared in parts of West Bengal, including Murshidabad.

Amid the controversy, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha also made strong remarks, criticising the BJP and demanding a withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Act.

“They (BJP) may run a government with a majority, but they lack the moral authority to run the country,” Jha said.

He likened the current protest to the farmers' agitation, predicting that the central government would eventually be forced to roll back the Waqf law as it did with the farm laws on Guru Nanak Jayanti.

--IANS

ajk/pgh

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

mka/dpb

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

pds/vd

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

ajk/skp

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

arc/rad

Chennai, April 18 (IANS) The makers of director Karthik Subbaraj's action extravaganza, 'Retro', featuring Suriya and Pooja Hegde in the lead, on Friday released the trailer of the film at a grand event in the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor stadium in the presence of fans and film buffs.

The action-packed trailer, which seems to have been edited by well-known Malayalam director Alphonse Puthren, gives the impression that the film will deliver double the action that the teaser, which was released a few weeks ago, promised.

The eagerly-awaited trailer begins with actor Sujith Shankar's character welcoming Suriya and his supporters, saying, "Welcome. In ten minutes, a deer biryani will be ready. Until then, put on a show." Suriya turns to Jayaram who is beside him and asks, "Shall we begin the show?" to which Jayaram says 'yes'. The villains of the film are then introduced with one saying, " The high we get from war is ecstatic. How can we accept if suddenly one says peace, democracy and asks you to give up everything, stay at home, eat and sleep?"

The trailer also adds to what was disclosed in the teaser.

In the teaser, audiences were shown Suriya's character Paari promising Pooja Hegde's character that he would completely give up violence and bloodshed. However, the trailer shows Paari going back on his word. As a result, the soulmates part ways. The separation turns Pooja almost like Buddha while it turns Paari into a demon. Pooja's character is seen telling Paari, "You have made me cry a lot."

In the meantime, Paari's battles with his rivals intensifies and they dread what he'll do next. His punchline,"Thattunen Pollundhuduchi.( I struck and it shattered)" is repeated even as a series of action-packed scenes are presented. The trailer ends with Joju George's character saying,"Dear son, daddy's coming."

The trailer has a number of giveaways to offer. The first is that it is made it evident that Jayaram plays a comedian in the film. It also gives away a couple of crucial details like Joju George playing Suriya's father and actor Jayaram's character having the belief that laughter can cure issues.

In all, 'Retro' seems to be a story in which one man, who has parted ways with the love of his life, takes on a number of battle-hardened criminals. The eagerly awaited film, which has music by Santhosh Narayanan, is scheduled to hit screens on May 1 this year.

--IANS

mkr/

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) The makers of Sunny Deol-starrer 'Jaat' have issued an official statement addressing the recent controversy surrounding a scene in the film that sparked objections from members of the Christian community.

In response to concerns over religious sensitivity, the makers clarified that the scene in question has been removed, reaffirming their respect for all faiths and communities. In a statement released on Friday, the team behind the Sunny Deol-starrer acknowledged the concerns raised by members of the Christian community regarding a specific scene that was perceived to be hurtful to religious sentiments.

Responding promptly to the criticism, the makers clarified that their intention was never to disrespect any faith or belief system. In the statement, the makers of the ‘Jaat’ stated, “To Whomsoever It May Concern, There has been a backlash for a specific scene in the film. The scene has been removed from the film with immediate effect. Our intention was not to hurt any religious sentiments. We deeply regret it and have taken a quick action of deleting the scene from the film. We sincerely apologize to everyone whose beliefs have been hurt.”

The statement comes shortly after a case was registered against actors Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Vineet Kumar Singh, and director Gopichand Malineni for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with a scene involving Lord Jesus Christ in their latest film, ‘Jaat.’ The case was filed at the Sadar Police Station in Jalandhar under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly offending religious sentiments. The complaint was lodged by Vikalp Gold, a resident of Pholriwal village in Jalandhar.

The police complaint alleged that the accused offended the religious sentiments of the Christian community by replicating a crucifixion scene involving Lord Jesus Christ in the film.

Earlier, in an official statement, ADCP Headquarters officer Sukhwinder Singh confirmed that the complaint was lodged by Golgotha Gold, a resident of Pholriwal village in Jalandhar and a member of the Christian community. The complainant raised objections to specific scenes in the film, claiming they were offensive to the religious beliefs of the community. Based on preliminary investigation, an FIR was registered against five individuals associated with the film.

The scene that sparked the controversy showed Randeep Hooda’s character standing beneath a crucifix inside a church, positioned directly above the holy pulpit, while worshippers were engaged in prayer—an image that drew strong criticism and allegations of religious insensitivity.

Starring Sunny Deol in the titular role, 'Jaat' was released in theatres on 10 April 2025.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Amidst her cancer battle, actress Hina Khan has taken off to her homeland, Kashmir for some much-needed time off.

Taking to her Insta, the 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' actress gave us an insight into her Kashmir trip which was all about gorgeous sunsets, traditional markets, family functions, and road trips.

The stunner posted a picture of her catching a fish in the Dal Lake, followed by some glimpses of the vibrant Kashmir market. The album further included a video of Hina performing pranayam on the boat.

We could also see the stunner posing against the Kashmir sign, and enjoying a breathtaking sunset in the Valley.

Hina's latest post further included many sneak peeks of her time in Kashmir.

She also penned a note reminiscing her time there. "From a little fishing excursion in the Dal to Pranayam sessions in the middle of the Dal, pleasant walks and coffee by the Jhelum, road trips, Gorgeous sunsets, traditional markets, samovar chai te Kashmiri Thani tchot (best breakfast ever BTW) masjid ki Azaan, family functions, Nadru love, plucking home grown produce.. ALL THINGS KASHMIRI..Therapy, Healing," Hina wrote.

Prior to this, Hina took to her Instagram stories and shared a video of her driving through the serene roads of Kashmir. The clip showed her taking her hands out of the car window as it passed through a lane filled with trees. A half-moon-shaped tattoo was also visible on her hand.

In addition to this, she dropped another photo on social media making a finger heart in front of a huge ‘Kashmir’ model on the side of the road.

As part of her Kashmir diaries, Hina further shared a picture, revealing that she craved some flavourful Nadru Yakhni, a classic Kashmiri dish made with lotus stems.

During her travels, Hina came across the vegetable which reminded her of chef Ranveer Brar's commitment to make her the dish. Announcing that she was carrying back authentic nadru from Kashmir for the true flavour, Hina penned, “Reminded me of nadru yakhni you promised to make for me Ranveer Brar I am carrying nadru from here."

--IANS

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Los Angeles, April 17 (IANS) Hollywood actress Sandra Huller, who is known for ‘Anatomy of a Fall,’, and ‘The Zone of Interest’, will be sharing the screen with actor Colman Domingo in Goran Stolevski’s ‘True-ish’.

The film is a satirical drama which marks his follow-up to ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’. Charades and New Europe Film Sales have acquired international rights to the film while UTA Independent Film Group will represent North American rights, reports ‘Variety’.

The project will be presented to buyers at the Cannes Film Market. Currently in production, the movie follows Janet Paine, a well-intentioned but deeply insecure Manhattan PR executive with a specialty for smear campaigns.

“A toxic build-up of stress, alcohol and miscommunication leads to her relocation to the Balkans for a job that sounds noble, director of outreach at a ‘peace lab’, but in reality involves generating fake news to target political regimes on the fringes of the EU,” the film’s synopsis reads. “Desperate to make amends for past mistakes and show initiative, she ends up staging footage of atrocities that gets her into deeper and deeper trouble, with serious international consequences”.

As per ‘Variety’, Stolevski is a Macedonian-Australian director known for his distinctive storytelling. His most recent film ‘Housekeeping for Beginners’ won a prize at the Venice Film Festival in 2023.

His feature debut ‘You Won’t Be Alone’ premiered at Sundance in 2022 and represented Australia in the Oscar race, while his sophomore outing ‘Of an Age’ kicked off Melbourne Film Festival.

Stolevski’s longtime partners Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings of Causeway Films (‘The Babadook’, ‘Talk to Me’) are producing the film. ‘True-ish’ will shoot in Eastern Europe in early 2026.

The film will be financed with support from Australian and European federal and state funding agencies and local tax incentives.

--IANS

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