India

Chennai, Dec 25 (IANS) A 37-year-old man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the rape of a female student here inside the campus of Anna University in the early hours on Wednesday, an official said.

The accused was identified as Gnanashekaran, a roadside briyani vendor based here.

The incident occurred during the early morning hours when the victim and her male friend were returning to campus after attending prayers at a nearby church.

Both were intercepted by two men on a secluded stretch.

The attackers assaulted the male student and sexually assaulted the female student. The girl was allegedly dragged to a nearby shrub where she was raped.

A complaint was subsequently filed at the Kotturpuram police station, and both students were admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Senior police officers immediately rushed to the scene to oversee the matter.

Sources said a hunt is on to nab the other accused.

The incident that happened in the heart of Chennai sent shockwaves across the state, and triggered protests by students and stinging criticism by opposition parties and even allies of the ruling DMK.

Tamil Nadu unit BJP president K. Annamalai, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused, wrote on X: "Tamil Nadu, under the DMK government, has become a breeding ground for unlawful activities and a haven for criminals. Women don’t feel safe in the state anymore, as the police are kept busy by the ruling administration to silence the opposition."

The Greater Chennai Police have come under severe criticism following the incident. Authorities had earlier claimed to have implemented foolproof security measures for Christmas celebrations, deploying over 8,000 officers on duty.

Police sources said inquiries have been conducted with the survivor and her friend, and an investigation was underway.

This brutal incident comes amid ongoing criticism of the DMK government over the state's law and order situation.

It may be noted that a third-year college student with mental health issues was allegedly raped by a group of 10 men over a period of 10 months.

Four of the accused have been arrested so far.

The case came to light after the victim's father, a single parent working as a loader, filed a complaint with the Chintadripet All Women Police Station, which was later transferred to the Egmore Police Station.

The father discovered obscene material on his daughter’s phone and questioned her about it. Initially evasive, the girl later revealed that she had been repeatedly raped by a group of men who took her to various lodges and other isolated locations.

Based on the survivor’s statement, police have registered a case under nine sections, including those dealing with the rape of women with mental or physical disabilities and kidnapping.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the survivor met three of the suspects through a mutual college friend in October last year. The men allegedly raped her at multiple locations. She also reported being assaulted by others she met via a social networking application.

--IANS

aal/pgh

Chennai, Dec 25 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP will hold a closed-door meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Chennai on December 27 ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

The BJP in Tamil Nadu, which failed to secure any seats in the 2024 general elections, is looking to strategise for the future.

Amit Shah is expected to gather feedback from senior party leaders regarding potential alliances for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The BJP currently has four MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, largely due to its earlier alliance with the AIADMK.

During his visit, Amit Shah will also likely attend the first death anniversary of DMDK founder and Tamil film icon Captain Vijayakanth on December 28.

Home Minister Shah's participation in this event has sparked significant interest across political circles, as it could have far-reaching implications for BJP's alliances in the state.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the DMDK, allied with the AIADMK, narrowly lost the Virudhunagar seat to Congress leader Manickam Tagore by a margin of just 4,379 votes.

Analysts suggest that had the BJP been part of the AIADMK-led alliance, the coalition could have won several key seats in Tamil Nadu.

According to BJP sources, Amit Shah will arrive in Chennai on the evening of December 27.

He will engage in a closed-door meeting with senior BJP leaders to discuss the current political scenario, organisational elections, and strategies for the 2026 Assembly polls.

On December 28, Home Minister Shah will visit Tiruvannamalai, a town known for its spiritual significance, where he will inaugurate the newly constructed BJP district headquarters.

This move is seen as part of the BJP's efforts to strengthen its foothold in the region.

Later, the Union Home Minister will visit the Arunachaleswarar Temple, accompanied by senior party functionaries.

Following his engagements in Tiruvannamalai, Home Minister Shah will return to Chennai and depart for New Delhi, concluding his visit.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Congress unit has announced black flag protests against Amit Shah's visit.

The protests are in response to his controversial remarks about B.R. Ambedkar.

State Congress President K. Selvaperunthagai said on his official X account that he would lead the demonstrations, calling for all those who believe in democracy and the Indian Constitution to unite in protest.

In his post, Selvaperunthagai wrote, "Let all of us who believe in democracy and the Indian Constitution unite."

--IANS

aal/khz

Amritsar, Dec 25 (IANS) Five Sikh high priests, headed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, on Wednesday pronounced religious punishment, also known as "tankhah" for Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami for allegedly making offensive remarks against Bibi Jagir Kaur, a three-time chief of the gurdwara management body.

This voluntary punishment comes less than a month after Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Badal was held guilty of religious misconduct by the high priests. The former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister was ordered to clean utensils and shoes in gurdwaras, including the holiest of all Sikh shrines, Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and complied.

Earlier in the day, SGPC chief Dhami appeared before the Akal Takht here and held a meeting with the Akal Takht Jathedar before appearing before the high priests, who asked him to wash dishes and clean shoes of the devotees for an hour each in the Golden Temple.

Soon after the religious punishment was pronounced, the SGPC chief, who accepted the directive, underwent the religious punishment in the Golden Temple.

Earlier Dhami had apologised for using foul language and submitted an apology letter to the Akal Takht.

Before the religious punishment, Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill had issued a notice to the SGPC President for allegedly making offensive remarks. Gill had stated that the commission took suo-motu cognisance of an audio recording circulating on social media, in which Dhami purportedly used offensive and demeaning language during a telephonic conversation with a journalist.

"The remarks were not only personally defamatory but also disrespectful to women as a whole," she had said, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.

The commission had underlined that Dhami, as the head of a revered institution like the SGPC, is expected to uphold the highest standards of respect and dignity.

"Such language is unbecoming of his office and sends a damaging message to society," she had added.

Dhami appeared in person and submitted a written explanation to the commission, which was yet to pronounce its decision.

Bibi Jagir Kaur had also appeared before the commission and demanded that Dhami should face legal action after admitting his mistake of using foul language. “He should not be allowed to go scot-free," she had said.

--IANS

vg/vd

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) met on Wednesday at the residence of BJP President J.P. Nadda to discuss political strategies and governance priorities, sources said.

During the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed concerns about alleged constitutional violations and the perceived disrespect towards Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, by the Congress.

HM Shah claimed that Congress had initially remained silent during his speech in the Rajya Sabha but later edited and misrepresented his statements to create a political narrative, sources said further. He further alleged that a toolkit was used to amplify these claims maliciously.

The NDA leadership deliberated on countering such narratives and emphasised focusing on implementing government policies effectively, sources added.

Shah highlighted the importance of addressing issues constructively rather than getting entangled in controversies initiated by the opposition.

According to sources, discussions also touched upon historical grievances, with Shah talking about the imposition of the Emergency by the Congress government without obtaining the President's signature.

BJP chief Nadda and Amit Shah commended the coordination among NDA allies during the winter session of Parliament. Nadda described the discussions held on the commemoration of the Constitution as meaningful and stressed the need for continued alignment among NDA members.

The meeting also outlined strategies for improved coordination among the NDA partners. A plan was discussed where cabinet ministers and ministers of state would work closely with MPs to address their concerns and provide assistance.

It was decided that NDA leaders would meet regularly and issue unified statements on key issues to maintain collective focus.

Key attendees included TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (TDP), Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (Janata Dal-United), Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal-S), H.D. Kumaraswamy (Janata Dal-Secular), and Jitan Ram Manjhi (Hindustani Awam Morcha). Other prominent participants included Rashtriya Lok Morcha President Upendra Kushwaha and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena President Thushar Vellappally.

The meeting reaffirmed the NDA’s commitment to governance and unity in the face of political challenges.

--IANS

skp/vd

Doda, Dec 25 (IANS) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) since its launch in 2016, has brought transformational changes in the lives of people across the country. Even those residing in border states have also benefited from the scheme.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Doda has made its mark for the successful implementation of the scheme and is also taking the lead in reaching out to the beneficiaries. Today, it ranks second in Jammu province and eighth in the entire Union Territory in terms of PMAY implementation.

According to official figures, more than 30,000 houses have been approved under the PMAY scheme. Out of this, about 26,000 houses have been physically completed till date while work is going on for over 4,000 houses.

Giving a break-up of the scheme roll-out, Doda Assistant Commission Development (ACD) Manoj Kumar told IANS that 30404 PMAY houses have been approved so far while work is in progress on 4404 houses.

He also said that recovery proceedings will begin for those who have not initiated construction of their dwelling units, after receiving government aid.

Elaborating on the scheme, he said, “This scheme is for the houseless and those living in kuccha houses. Many families have got themselves registered under the scheme. The registered beneficiaries have received government assistance to build their own houses. Those who were left out in previous phases have the option to apply under the PMAY yojana again.”

“Government assistance is provided directly into the beneficiaries’ accounts. This has uplifted their social status and overall well-being,” he added.

Under the PMAY scheme, scores of people in Jammu and Kashmir are getting a lot of benefits. Joginder Prakash, a resident of Malwas Block in Bhagwah district of Doda is one of the beneficiaries, who built his house under the scheme.

Earlier Joginder Prakash and his entire family used to live in a shed and had to face a lot of problems, but now he has built his house under the PMAY scheme and the entire family is living a good life under one roof.

--IANS

mr/uk

Bhopal, Dec 25 (IANS) On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Madhya Pradesh including the Ken-Betwa Link Project.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said that once the Ken-Betwa Link Project becomes a reality, it will open new doors of prosperity and happiness in the Bundelkhand region and other districts of Uttar Pradesh including Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi will also benefit from it.

A couple of farmers from the Bundelkhand region, speaking to IANS, voiced their excitement as well as optimism about their future because of the key river-interlinking project.

“Under this scheme, common people will be able to get adequate water, which will strengthen their economic condition. Along with this, the yield of crops will also increase,” said farmer Vinod Kumar Lodhi.

Vinod Kumar, another farmer said, “The project will prove beneficial for the farmers of eight districts of the entire Bundelkhand region.”

Ram Gopal Gupta, sharing his opinion, said, “I have been troubled by water woes but now with this scheme, crop yield will increase and prosperity will come into our lives.”

He also thanked the Prime Minister for giving a green signal to the scheme.

Envisaged under the ambitious river-linking campaign, the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna, via a 221-km canal that includes a 2-km tunnel, with an aim to provide water to huge swathes of land amounting to 11 lakh hectares.

The work of lower and major projects under the Kenwa-Betwa Link National Project is going on at a fast pace. The total cost of this project is Rs 2,208 crore, and 40 per cent work has been completed so far. The remaining work is targeted to be completed by 2026.

In the second phase of this project, an irrigation facility will be provided through high pressure (mico method) in 253 villages of Shivpuri and Datia districts. Under this scheme, irrigation will be done in 1,10,400 hectare area, which will benefit about 53,790 families.

Additionally, 6 million cubic meters of water in the project's dam will be secured for drinking water. This will provide clean drinking water to approximately 1,65,000 population of 33,000 families in 125 villages of Pichor tehsil.

--IANS

mr/uk

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) The political storm surrounding the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government's welfare schemes intensified on Wednesday as the state Women and Child Development Department disowned the Mahila Samman Yojana, sparking a war of words between the ruling party and the opposition BJP.

The scheme, which promised Rs 2,100 per month to women, was labelled as "fraudulent" by BJP leaders, who accused former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of misleading the public with false promises.

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, slammed Kejriwal and the AAP for spreading misinformation.

Speaking to IANS, Gupta said: "On one hand, Kejriwal is making promises about schemes that don’t exist, and on the other, they are misleading the people of Delhi. It’s nothing short of cheating. They’re using OTPs to scam citizens. If the Delhi government is issuing an advertisement saying that there is no such scheme, Kejriwal should explain why AAP continues to speak about it."

He also accused the government of enabling cyber scammers by allowing such fraudulent claims to persist.

Gupta went on to predict a looming defeat for AAP in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. "BJP hasn't even released its candidate list yet, and Kejriwal is already in panic mode, fearing his defeat," he said,

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva also joined the chorus of criticism, calling out Kejriwal for 'lying' about the existence of the Mahila Samman Yojana.

"Kejriwal is spreading lies. There is no such scheme; it doesn't exist in any legislative Bill or Assembly session. They have exposed him. The Sanjeevani Yojana and Mahila Samman Yojana schemes are purely fictional," he said.

"By promoting these schemes, Kejriwal is either collecting personal data from citizens or preparing for a future scam."

Sachdeva's remarks come after the Delhi government’s Women and Child Development Department itself disowned the Mahila Samman Yojana and issued a clear statement denying any involvement in collecting personal data or issuing cards under the programme.

The department categorically stated that it had not authorised anyone to collect personal data from elderly citizens or distribute any cards related to the scheme.

“Any individual or political party claiming to offer benefits under the Mahila Samman Yojana is acting fraudulently and without any authority,” the statement read, further emphasising that there was no official scheme by that name.

Meanwhile, in a press conference earlier in the day, Kejriwal accused the BJP of orchestrating a 'dirty conspiracy' to undermine his government and its leaders as the Delhi Assembly elections approach. Kejriwal’s claims were in response to the BJP’s continuous attacks on his government, particularly surrounding the alleged fraudulent schemes.

Kejriwal recently launched the registration process for two key welfare schemes – the Sanjeevani Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana – aimed at providing health coverage and financial support to vulnerable groups in Delhi.

--IANS

jk/vd

Gurugram, Dec 25 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday emphasised the importance of sensitivity and empathy in government administration, urging officers to view their roles as an opportunity to uplift society and ease the hardships of the common people.

CM Saini made the remark while addressing the State-level Governance Day programme in Gurugram on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna awardee and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Chief Minister urged the officers to view each case with compassion, stating that when someone approaches their office with a problem, they should not simply see it as a piece of paper. Instead, they should recognise it as a symbol of the individual's pain and hardship.

He said: "If we can understand the story behind that paper, we will have truly succeeded in our efforts towards good governance."

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to Bharat Ratna awardees Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee on their birth anniversaries, reflecting on their monumental contributions to the nation.

He said: "Today's day is not only a memorable occasion for all of us, but it also inspires us to strengthen our commitment towards building a better and more empowered nation."

"Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership was truly transformative for India. His vision and policies were pivotal in shaping the country's progress on both domestic and international fronts. His leadership laid the foundation for the India we see today, and it is this vision of a 'Vikist Bharat' that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is dedicated to realising," the CM said.

Chief Minister Saini said: "When our government assumed the responsibility of public service in 2014, we launched a campaign of governance reform, transitioning from good governance (Sushasan) to service (Sewa)."

He said that the success of such a campaign depends on 'Niyat' (intent), 'Nishtha' (commitment), and 'Niti' (policy).

For good governance, he said, there must be a genuine intention to serve, and the policies must be designed in a way that leaves no room for corruption.

"On the strength of Niyat, Nishtha, and Niti, our government is successfully realising the true essence of good governance," said CM Saini.

The Chief Minister said that in a bid to curb irregularities in land registration, the government has introduced the online issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments, boards, and corporations, which are required during registration.

Additionally, the Web-Halris system has been implemented statewide to ensure transparency and accuracy in land records, he said.

--IANS

str/svn

Bhubaneswar, Dec 25 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his predecessor and Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday extended greetings to people across the state and the country on the occasion of Christmas.

"Merry Christmas! May your day be overflowing with joy, love and happiness," said CM Majhi.

Naveen Patnaik, the former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, and other leaders also extended greetings for Christmas celebrations.

"I am wishing the Christian brothers and sisters of Odisha on the occasion of Christmas. Wish you all a merry Christmas," said Patnaik in a video message.

Patnaik also visited the churches at the Satya Nagar and Sachivalaya Marg, where he participated in the Christmas celebrations on Wednesday.

"May the joyous spirit of Christmas fill hearts with love, harmony, and hope. Let us celebrate the season with compassion, unity, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas full of blessings and cheer!," wrote Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Odisha Deputy CM, on his X account.

The members of the Christian community across the state congregated in the nearest churches and participated in midnight prayers, masses, and carols to celebrate Christmas on Wednesday.

The state has a sizeable Christian population in Gajapati, Kandhamal, Sundargarh and Rayagada districts.

However, the low-pressure-induced rainfall and overcast conditions have dampened the Christmas celebrations in coastal districts of the state.

Several parts of the state have been witnessing rainfall in the state since Tuesday.

The untimely spell of rainfall has cut short the outdoor revelry in the state.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted that the rainfall activities will continue in the state for another 24 hours.

The rainfall is expected to subside in the state from December 26 onwards.

Some places in the southern parts of the state are expected to witness moderate to heavy rainfall.

--IANS

gyan/khz

Bengaluru, Dec 25 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday asked the Congress government in the state to take action into the egg attack on party MLA N. Munirathna Naidu or face consequences.

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said, "If strict action is not taken against the criminals who attacked Munirathna and if attempts are made to cover up the issue, the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should be prepared to face the appropriate response. This is a warning I wish to convey."

"In the Congress government, a situation has arisen where there is no protection for people's representatives. Goons are targeting BJP MLAs and attacking them. The case of the attack on MLC C. T. Ravi at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi was taken lightly by the government, encouraging Congress-backed goons to attack our MLA Munirathna today," Vijayendra said.

This incident is extremely disgraceful and condemnable, he underlined.

"If even public representatives, who are supposed to ensure the protection of the people, are not safe, it raises serious concerns about the safety of ordinary citizens. It seems Congress is steering the state towards a lawless and anarchic condition," he slammed.

"Whatever accusations may exist against MLA Munirathna, they should be addressed within the framework of justice. However, the emergence of a situation where an elected MLA is plotted against and attacked in broad daylight is a deeply concerning development," Vijayendra said.

An egg was hurled at BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning, after which he blamed Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar for the incident.

The incident occurred when Munirathna along with a large number of supporters arrived in Laxmidevinagar of RR Nagar Constituency to attend an event on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Sources said that stones were pelted at his vehicle. Presently, Munirathna is being treated at the hospital.

Speaking to media persons, Munirathna said: "Deputy CM Shivakumar and his brother and former Congress MP D. K. Suresh attacked me, as they want to make local Congress leader Kusuma Hanumantarayappa the MLA in my constituency."

"This is an acid attack on me. The attackers filled acid inside the egg and attacked me," MLA Munirathna stated.

Munirathna, who was jailed in connection with the alleged rape and honey-trapping case and lodged at the Central Prison in Bengaluru, was released on bail after a month.

Suresh alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

--IANS

mka/svn