India

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) BJP National Spokesperson, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for his remarks comparing the BJP and RSS to a "joke" in front of the Congress, which had fought the British empire.

Responding to LoP Gandhi's statement, Naqvi accused him of being unable to break free from the "family nest" and engaging in political "gimmicks."

He claimed that LoP Gandhi continues to view democracy as a "Disneyland of dynasty," and as long as the Congress remains confined to a family-centric approach, its protests and outcries will have little impact.

LoP Gandhi, during his address, asserted that the Congress had envisioned an India where everyone could aspire to greatness and dream freely.

He emphasised that the current ideological battle was a difficult one but reminded people that the Congress had faced and defeated a far greater challenge in the British empire.

"So this is what the fight is. The fight is a difficult fight, but we have fought much more difficult fights before. We fought the British Empire if you remember, and the RSS and the BJP are a joke in front of the British Empire," Gandhi said.

Naqvi, in his rebuttal, dismissed the Congress MP's remarks, stating, "Rahul has only one problem -- he still considers democracy a Disneyland of dynasty. As long as he sees it that way and the Congress remains confined to family nests and gimmicks, no amount of chaos, protests, or uproar will make any difference."

The BJP leader also targeted AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over the 'black band' protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, accusing him of attempting to create division and communal tension.

"Some people are looking for cockroaches of conspiracy in the communal well. Through these conspiracies, they are trying to create division, conflict, and communal tension in society," he said.

"These are the same people who are calling the Waqf Act an 'Act of God' instead of an 'Act of Government.'

"I want to tell them that this Act has been made by Parliament, and parliamentary amendments are being made to it. But they are treating it like a heavenly book that cannot be changed," Naqvi said.

He further alleged that a climate of confusion, fear, and propaganda was being created regarding the Waqf system to incite division.

"Neither Islam is in danger in this country nor anyone's faith. What is actually in danger are the Waqf mafia and dishonest elements due to this amendment," he added.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 29 (IANS) A girl student preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) allegedly died by suicide due to fear of exam in Kilambakkam, here, on Saturday.

The deceased was identified as Dharshini, who was preparing for the NEET exam scheduled for May 4.

The student had been preparing for the NEET exam since 2021.

The Kilambakkam Police are investigating the incident.

On March 1, a 19-year-old student from Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram district allegedly died by suicide due to fear of underperforming in the NEET.

The deceased, identified as Indhu from Thadapuram village near Tindivanam, was found hanging at her home while she was alone. Indhu had completed her 12th grade at a government higher secondary school in her village with good marks.

She had also undergone coaching at a private institute in Puducherry and had appeared for the exam last year, scoring 350 marks, but did not clear it.

Determined to succeed this year, she had been preparing for the exam again and had recently obtained her OBC certificate, which she submitted along with her application.

While her parents and brother were away working in the fields, Indhu took her own life. When they returned in the evening, they found her hanging from the ceiling fan.

The family immediately alerted the Velimedu Pettai police station, and officers arrived at the scene around 11 p.m.

The police took possession of the body and sent it to Villupuram Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

This tragedy follows a similar case in October 2024, when another 19-year-old student, S. Punitha from Keelmugam village in Edappadi taluk, Salem district, died by suicide after failing to secure a medical seat despite two years of NEET coaching.

Punitha had also attended counseling for paramedical courses but was unable to obtain a seat under the government quota, leading to her distress.

The Tamil Nadu government has long opposed NEET, arguing that the exam is unfair to economically disadvantaged and Tamil-medium students.

In June 2024, the state's Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against NEET, following controversies over leaked NEET-UG 2024 question papers and the postponement of NEET-PG 2024.

The ruling DMK and its allies have consistently demanded an exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 29 (IANS) In a major crackdown on drug syndicates, Coimbatore City Police arrested seven individuals, including the son of a Sub-Inspector, and seized a large quantity of synthetic drugs.

The operation, which began on Friday was continuing till Saturday afternoon.

The arrested individuals have been identified as K. Manikandan (39), S. Vinayagam (34), V. Krishnakanth (34), M. Mahavishnu (28), D. Adarsh (24), A. Rithesh Lamba (41), and B. Rohan Shetty (30), all residents of various localities in Coimbatore.

Notably, Mahavishnu is the son of Vijayalakshmi, a Sub-Inspector with the Economic Offences Wing in Coimbatore.

The police seized a significant haul of contraband, including 24.40 grams of MDMA (ecstasy),12.47 grams of MDMA powder, 92.43 grams of cocaine, 1.62 kg of green ganja,1.01 kg of dry ganja and 1.68 kg of kush (a potent form of cannabis).

In addition to the drugs, authorities recovered Rs 25 lakh in cash, a cash counting machine, four digital weighing machines, premium liquor in bulk, three cars, and 12 mobile phones.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate sourced MDMA and cocaine from Maharashtra, while ganja and kush were procured from Himachal Pradesh.

The accused were reportedly leading lavish lifestyles funded by their illegal earnings.

One suspect was in the process of building a house in Kovaipudur, while others had acquired properties in the Teachers Colony area.

Police have initiated legal proceedings to seize their immovable assets and freeze 12 bank accounts used for drug-related transactions.

It may be recalled that a few days ago Greater Chennai Police arrested two men and seized 102 kg of ganja, a Honda City car (KA 01 MD 2866), and two mobile phones.

The arrests followed a tip-off from an informant in Andhra Pradesh.

The accused, Paraman (45) of Madurai District and Daniel Raja (34) of Usilampatti, were intercepted near the Maduravoyal Bypass Road in Anagaputhur.

Paraman is a habitual offender with a history of crimes, including drug trafficking, theft, rioting, assault, and criminal intimidation. He has been arrested multiple times in Madurai and surrounding districts.

Daniel Raja was previously booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in Thirumangalam earlier this year.

Authorities revealed that Paraman became fluent in Telugu while operating a snack business in Andhra Pradesh. He allegedly shifted to drug trafficking in 2019 and was arrested during the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections in Nellore with 10 kg of ganja.

He was jailed in Visakhapatnam, where he reportedly formed connections with Andhra-based drug suppliers, Nagaraj and Najeem from Narasipattinam.

After his release in May 2024, Paraman resumed operations and partnered with Daniel Raja. They procured a Honda City car from Tiruppur and made several trips to Narasipattinam to smuggle ganja.

According to police, the duo initially purchased 52 kg (26 parcels) of ganja for Rs 2 lakh and sold it in the hilly terrains of Usilampatti.

For Pongal in January 2025, they bought 90 kg (45 parcels) for Rs 4 lakh.

Their latest consignment — 101 kg (51 parcels) for Rs 8 lakh — was intercepted en route to Chennai before distribution.

A senior officer commented, “This syndicate exploited the Andhra-Tamil Nadu corridor, using remote hilly areas as storage hubs. Paraman’s jail connections helped him expand his network, indicating the organised nature of the operation.”

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Police ramped up efforts to curb trafficking and use of methamphetamine, a highly addictive substance.

Special operations are being conducted across the state, targeting both urban and rural areas.

Recent arrests indicate that traffickers are even targeting schoolchildren.

In response, Director General of Police (DGP) Sankar Jiwal has instructed all district superintendents to personally monitor special squads tasked with dismantling these drug networks.

—IANS

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Bengaluru, March 29 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to declare Kittur Rani Chennamma's Samadhi as a 'Monument of National Importance'.

In the letter, the CM said Rani Chennamma has a unique place in India's history as one of the first women to lead an armed resistance against colonial rule.

The Chief Minister said that Rani Chennamma's valour and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations across the nation.

Sharing the historical and cultural significance of Rani Chennamma's samadhi in Bailahongala taluk of Belagavi district, Siddaramaiah said: "It is a sacred site symbolising the undying spirit of India's struggle for independence. It stands as a beacon of courage and sacrifice, reflecting the determination of a woman who defied the might of the British East India Company in 1824."

He said that recognising this site as a 'Monument of National Importance' will preserve her legacy and honour her contribution to the nation.

Asserting that the site needs proper conservation and development, he said: "Such recognition would facilitate the necessary steps to safeguard the samadhi's integrity, ensuring that it is protected from neglect and degradation. It would also bring greater visibility to the site, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond, promoting cultural tourism and contributing to the region's socio-economic development."

CM Siddaramaiah underlined that the step would also serve as a medium to educate future generations about Rani Chennamma's unparalleled role in the freedom struggle.

"This gesture would not only honour the legacy of a great freedom fighter but also affirm the government of India's commitment to preserving the contributions of our historical icons. Karnataka has always been a land that celebrates its rich history and culture, and the recognition of Veer Rani Kittur Chennamma's Samadhi at the national level would reinforce this pride while ensuring its rightful place in the annals of Indian history," Siddaramaiah's letter read.

The Chief Minister urged PM Modi to direct the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India to expedite the process of evaluating and declaring this sacred site as a 'Monument of National Importance'.

--IANS

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Patna, March 29 (IANS) The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is set to announce the Class 10 Matriculation Examination results on Saturday.

The results will be declared by Bihar's Education Minister, Sunil Kumar, in the presence of Additional Chief Secretary, S. Siddharth, and BSEB Chairman Anand Kishore.

Students can access their results through the official websites matricresult2025.com and matricbiharboard.com

The students can go on these two websites and click on the link labelled 'BSEB Matric Result 2025'. Subsequently, they have to enter their roll number and roll code as indicated on the admit card and submit the details to view their results.

The Class 10th Board exam was held between February 17 to 25 this year and approximately 15.85 lakh candidates appeared for the examination.

To pass the matriculation examination, students must achieve a minimum of 33 per cent marks in each subject.

Students failing in one or two subjects may be eligible to appear for compartmental examinations, while those who missed the exam due to valid reasons might have the opportunity to sit for special examinations.

The Bihar government has announced increased incentives for top-performing students.

The student getting the first rank in the state will be awarded Rs 2 lakh, a laptop, and a Kindle e-reader. The second rank student will be given Rs 1.5 lakh, a laptop, and a Kindle e-reader, third rank candidate will be awarded Rs 1 lakh. And four to tenth rank candidates will be given Rs 30 thousand each.

These rewards aim to motivate students to excel academically. In 2024, the overall pass percentage was 82.91 per cent.

Students have been advised by the Board to keep their admit cards handy to facilitate quick access to their results. In case of any discrepancies, they have to contact their respective schools or the Bihar Board office promptly.

Recently, the Bihar School Examination Board announced the Class 12th Board examination results in the state.

--IANS

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Jaipur, March 29 (IANS) Cold winds from North India have caused a significant drop in temperatures across Rajasthan, with several cities of the desert state recording a decrease of up to 7 degrees Celsius.

On Friday, the maximum daytime temperature in Ganganagar and Sikar dropped below 30 degrees Celsius.

Cities such as Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur also experienced a temperature drop of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius, bringing their maximum temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius.

Weather experts have predicted that temperatures may decline further over the next two days.

From April 1-2, wind direction in the state will shift from north to west, leading to a subsequent rise in temperatures.

During the past 24 hours, Rajasthan experienced clear skies with bright sunshine. However, slightly cold winds persisted from morning until late evening in most cities.

Except for Bhilwara, all cities in the state recorded maximum temperatures below 36 degrees Celsius. Alwar, Pilani, Sikar, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bikaner, Churu, and Ganganagar, among others, saw temperature drops ranging from 2 to 7 degrees Celsius. The effect of northern winds also brought down night temperatures. Fatehpur in Sikar recorded a minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius, while Pali registered 9.9 degrees Celsius.

Bikaner recorded 14.8 degrees, and Pilani and Sikar saw 15.5 degrees Celsius. Jaisalmer, Churu, and Ganganagar also experienced minimum temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius.

According to the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, the impact of northern winds will continue in Rajasthan for the next two days, potentially causing a further temperature drop of 1-2 degrees Celsius. However, from April 1-2, the influence of western winds will increase, leading to a rise of 2-3 degrees Celsius in both minimum and maximum temperatures.

RS Sharma, Director, IMD Jaipur, said, "In the last 24 hours, the maximum temperature has dropped by 3 to 7 degrees, while the minimum temperature has decreased by 2 to 5 degrees. In most areas, the maximum temperature remains below 35 degrees Celsius."

The southeastern parts of the state are expected to remain cloudy from March 31 to April 3. Light rain and thundershowers are likely in some areas of the Udaipur-Kota division on April 2-3, he said.

However, temperatures are likely to rise by 3-4 degrees thereafter. Southwest Rajasthan may witness 40 degrees Celsius on April 3, with temperatures soaring above 42 degrees Celsius on April 5-6, he added.

--IANS

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Raipur, March 29 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah has praised the security forces for their successful anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Dantewada districts, where 16 Maoists were eliminated.

In a post on X on Saturday, Shah said, “Another strike on Naxalism! Our security agencies have neutralized 16 Naxalites and recovered a massive cache of automatic weapons in an operation in Sukma. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, we are resolved to eradicate Naxalism before March 31, 2026. My appeal to those with arms is that weapons and violence cannot bring change; only peace and development can.”

The operation took place on Saturday morning in the Upampalli area under the Keralapal police station jurisdiction. Personnel from the District Reserve Guards (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) successfully engaged the Maoists, recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition, including automatic weapons such as INSAS and SLR rifles.

Sources indicated that several high-profile Maoist leaders were among those killed. “A thorough search will be conducted once the operation concludes, which will provide clarity on the extent of damage inflicted on the Maoists,” a police official said. The number of Maoist casualties may rise as the situation becomes clearer.

This operation is part of a series of intensified actions against Maoists in the Bastar region. Earlier, on March 20, security forces conducted two major encounters in the Bastar division. The first, on the Bijapur-Dantewada border, resulted in the elimination of 26 Maoists, though a DRG jawan was martyred. The second, on the Kanker-Narayanpur border, led to the deaths of four Maoists.

On March 25, security forces neutralized three Maoists, including Sudhir alias Sudhakar, who had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on his head. In total, 49 Maoists have been killed in March alone.

Amit Shah had previously visited Raipur and Jagdalpur in August and December 2024, warning Maoists to surrender their arms. He reiterated that the government remains committed to eliminating Naxalism, stating that any attempt at violence will be met with decisive action by security forces.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 29 (IANS) Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, the accused in the stabbing of Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan, has filed a bail petition in the Mumbai Sessions Court, asserting that he is innocent and the case against him is fabricated.

The attack took place in the early hours of January 16 when the accused allegedly entered Saif's Bandra residence through his youngest son Jeh's room.

The actor, who was reportedly trying to fend off the assailant, suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite his injuries, Saif managed to go to the hospital on his own, accompanied by his son Taimur.

Shariful Islam Shahzad's petition, filed through his lawyer, claims that the FIR was wrongly registered and that he has fully cooperated with the police investigation.

His legal team argues that since all evidence is already in police custody, there is no risk of tampering, and therefore, he should be granted bail.

Currently, the case is being handled by the Bandra Magistrate Court, but it falls under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Sessions Court. Once the police file a charge sheet, the case will be transferred to the Sessions Court. However, the charge sheet is yet to be filed.

According to media reports, doctors removed a 2.5-inch knife from Saif's wound. The actor sustained six stab injuries, two of which were serious as they were near his spine.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2:15 am on January 16 when the accused broke into the house, attacked the house help, and then stabbed Saif when he intervened.

Saif was alerted by noises from Jeh's room, where he found the accused in an altercation with the house help. Attempting to protect the staff, Saif fought off the intruder with his bare hands before being stabbed multiple times.

Investigations have revealed that the accused, a Bangladeshi national, intended to rob a wealthy individual to finance his mother's medical treatment in his home country. He has a history of petty theft and was previously dismissed from restaurants in Worli and Thane for stealing.

It is also reported that the attacker was unaware of Saif Ali Khan's celebrity status and targeted the residence purely because it was located in an upscale apartment complex.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) India has a huge potential for generation of renewable energy which stood at 21,09,655 megawatts (as on March 2024(, the government said on Saturday, adding that the country is experiencing a steady and healthy growth in both energy supply and consumption.

The potential of generating energy from wind power had the dominating share of 11,63,856 megawatts (around 55 per cent) which was followed by solar energy (7,48,990 megawatts) and large Hydro (1,33,410), according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

More than half of the potential for generation of renewable energy has been concentrated within the four states — Rajasthan (20.3 per cent), Maharashtra (11.8 per cent), Gujarat (10.5 per cent) and Karnataka (9.8 per cent).

The installed-capacity for generating electricity (including Utility and Non-Utility) from the renewable resources has also experienced a significant growth over the past years.

From 81,593 megawatts (as on March 31, 2015), it has risen to 1,98,213 megawatts )as on March 31, 2024) — which is a CAGR of 10.36 per cent over the years.

The gross generation of electricity from the Renewable resources (both Utility and Non-Utility together) has also increased significantly over the years. From an amount of 2,05,608 GWH of electricity generated during FY 2014-15, it has increased to 3,70,320 GWH during FY 2023-24, which is a CAGR of 6.76 per cent over the years, the data showed.

India has also experienced a substantial growth in the per-capita consumption of energy over the years. It has gone up from 14,682 Mega Joule/person during FY 2014-15 to 18,410 Mega Joule/person during FY 2023-24 which is a CAGR of 2.55 per cent over the years.

The utilisation of the electricity has been significantly improved over the years by reducing the losses incurred due to transmission and distribution.

“Percentage loss due to Transmission and Distribution which was around 23 per cent during FY 2014-15 has gone down to around 17 per cent during FY 2023-24,” said the ministry.

Among all the major end-use energy- consuming sectors, the Industry sector has witnessed maximum expansion during FY 2023-24. All other sectors like Commercial and Public service, Residential, Agriculture and Forestry have also registered a consistent growth over the periods.

“The Indian economy has depicted a healthy expansion during the FY 2023-24, with the Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) registering a growth of 7.8 per cent over the past year and stood at 9,03,158 KToE (Kilo Tonnes of oil Equivalent),” said the ministry in its annual publication “Energy Statistics India 2025”.

—IANS

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Kolkata, March 29 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is focussing on variances found in the the nature of wounds on the body of R.G. Kar rape and murder victim as mentioned in the inquest and the post-mortem reports.

The officials are focusing on such variances in the contents of the two reports to get clues about the "larger conspiracy" or "post-offence conduct" in the second round of investigation, which is in the angle of evidence tampering and altering during the initial phase of investigation by Kolkata Police, sources said.

The sources added that the investigating officials are now trying to determine whether such variances in the contents of the two reports were merely "coincidental" or "deliberate" to mislead the course of investigation.

In fact, the matter was briefly touched upon during the second day of fresh hearing at Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, who also took note of the variances in the contents of the two reports.

The sources said that certain wounds on the "abdomen" and "ring finger" of the right palm of the victim doctor were not mentioned in the subsequent post-mortem report.

To recall, doubts over the possible compromising of the post-mortem report surfaced in December last year when a report by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) on the matter clearly stated that the confidentiality factor of the post-mortem process of the body of the victim was compromised and standard protocols were not followed during that process.

"Upon perusal of the videography of the post-morten examination, it has been observed that there was presence of many persons inside the autopsy hall and few of them were taking photographs and videos on their mobiles which is against the standard and accepted protocol and practice for maintaining the confidentiality of the case and the dignity of the deceased," the seventh point mentioned in the CSFL report read.

On Friday, the CBI informed Justice Ghosh's bench that the rape and murder tragedy was not a case of "gangrape".

The CBI gave this clarification following specific direction from Justice Ghosh during the first day of the fresh hearing in the matter on March 24, where he directed the central agency to clarify whether the tragedy was a case of "rape" or "gangrape".

The next date of hearing in the matter is April 23.

--IANS

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