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Mumbai, July 14 (IANS) The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday was rocked by an attack on Sambhaji Brigade founder Praveen Gaikwad by a group of people at Akkalkot in Solapur district, citing insult to the Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Brigade.

Those who were involved in the attack claimed that naming the organisation merely Sambhaji Brigade, excluding Chhatrapati, was an insult to the warrior, and it would not be tolerated.

Gaikwad has already condemned the attack, terming it a cowardly act and alleging that it was an attempt to finish him as he has been advocating the progressive thoughts of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mahatma Phule, Rajarshi Shahu and B.R. Ambedkar.

The issue was raised by Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, who said that Gaikwad was fatally attacked, dragged out of his car, and his face was blackened. He claimed it was an attempt on Gaikwad’s life.

“Gaikwad was brutally attacked by a worker of a political party with a criminal background. He is charged with possession of a pistol; he has served time in jail for killing his cousin. Strict action should be taken against him,” said Wadettiwar.

He asked, “Were there any intelligence inputs about the attack on Gaikwad? Why was there no police security at this event?”

Wadettiwar said that Gaikwad is working fearlessly, and this cowardly attack has been made on him. He demanded that strict action be taken against those involved in the attack.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened and told the Assembly that the police have already arrested the accused and assured that appropriate action would be taken.

“I myself have taken complete information about this case. The fact is that these accused carried out this attack, asking why they kept the name Sambhaji? Why didn’t they keep the name Chhatrapati Sambhaji? They created an argument and threw ink on him. The police immediately reached there. The police requested Gaikwad to file a complaint. Although he was not ready, the police registered a complaint. The accused were immediately arrested. They have not been released yet. Action will be taken under appropriate sections of the law,” said Fadnavis.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad told reporters that there was an attempt on his life, saying that moral responsibility lies with the Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

“The attacker belongs to the BJP. No action will be taken against him. The sections that should have been imposed on him have not been applied. I still face a threat, but I will not seek police protection. I have faith in the Bahujan Samaj, Sambhaji Brigade. I will resign from Sambhaji Brigade the day anything happens to me," he announced.

"We have the idea of establishing social equality, brotherhood and humanity. Since 2014, the struggle is on between the ideology of Manusmriti and caste supremacy, that is, progressive and reactionary ideas,” claimed Gaikwad.

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 14 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that it would hear two separate cases on alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers from West Bengal in two different states, together this week and not separately.

One of the two cases is about the harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers from West Bengal in Odisha, and the second case is about similar harassment in Delhi.

It was alleged that these Bengal-speaking migrant workers were harassed by the Odisha and Delhi governments after branding them as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators.

The Odisha-related matter came up for hearing at the Division Bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra.

The Division Bench decided that instead of hearing the Odisha-related matter separately the same would be heard simultaneously and together with the Delhi-related matter on July 16.

On Monday, the petitioner in the Odisha-related matter informed the court that most of the workers who were detained in Odisha after being branded as illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators have returned to West Bengal.

The petitioner also expressed hope that the complications related to the return of a few other migrant workers from West Bengal who are still in Odisha will be resolved soon.

On July 11, the Division Bench of Justice Chakraborty and Justice Mitra directed the Union Home Ministry to submit a report to the court on allegations that some Bengali-speaking migrant workers from West Bengal residing in New Delhi have been recently deported to Bangladesh.

The Division Bench also directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to contact his counterpart in the Delhi government and also get a report from the state government there on the same matter, which will also have to be submitted to the court.

Incidentally, on July 16, the Trinamool Congress will be organising a mega rally in Kolkata to be led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in states outside West Bengal, especially in BJP-ruled states.

Besides the main rally in Kolkata, the state’s ruling party would also organise similar protest rallies in all the districts.

--IANS

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Lucknow, 14 July (IANS) Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Wayanad (Kerala) Priyanka Gandhi has sharply criticised the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to merge thousands of government schools, calling it a direct assault on the Right to Education and a blow to marginalised communities.

In a post on her official X handle, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the Yogi Adityanath-led administration is preparing to shut down nearly 5,000 schools under the guise of rationalisation, while teacher organisations warn that the actual number could reach as high as 27,000.

The move, according to state officials, is part of a broader plan to consolidate schools with low enrollment—particularly those with fewer than 50 students—and merge them with nearby institutions to optimise resources and improve infrastructure.

However, critics argue that such consolidation will disproportionately affect children from Dalit, tribal, backward, and minority communities, many of whom rely on local schools for access to basic education.

Priyanka Gandhi invoked the legacy of the UPA government’s Right to Education Act, which mandated the establishment of schools within close proximity to every village to ensure that children from economically weaker sections could attend school without facing logistical barriers.

She questioned how young children, especially girls, would be expected to walk several kilometres to reach distant schools, warning that such a shift could lead to increased dropout rates and educational exclusion.

“This decision is not just administrative—it’s ideological,” Priyanka Gandhi wrote.

“It undermines the constitutional promise of education for all and threatens to push thousands of children out of the classroom.”

The Uttar Pradesh government has defended the plan, stating that it aims to address teacher shortages, underutilised infrastructure, and declining enrollment.

Education officials have instructed district administrators to submit merger proposals by mid-November, with considerations for transportation and geographic challenges.

Meanwhile, opposition parties and civil society groups have begun mobilising against the move, demanding transparency and a reassessment of its long-term impact.

The controversy has sparked a wider debate on educational equity, rural access, and the role of public schooling in social upliftment.

--IANS

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Abu Dhabi, July 14 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh chief minister Dr Mohan Yadav paid a visit to the BAPS Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi, on the sacred occasion of Guru Purnima and also participated in the celebrations at the temple premises.

The Chief Minister was given a warm welcome by the head swami of temple and also given an insightful tour of mandir’s divinely inspired history and architectural magnificence.

Dr. Yadav was deeply moved and spiritually uplifted with the mandir’s profound serenity, devotion-rich atmosphere, and also embodiment of universal values. He was further impressed and touched with an exhibition on the eternal role of a true Guru.

A moment of deep emotion for the MP CM came, when he offered prayers at the sacred shrine and discovered that soil from Jabalpur — the birthplace of Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual inspirer of the Mandir — had been enshrined inside the sanctum.

Commenting on the experience, Dr. Mohan Yadav praised the BAPS Hindu Mandir as a global symbol of spiritual harmony, cultural unity, and timeless Indian values.

He commended BAPS and Mahant Swami Maharaj for their tireless efforts in nurturing peace, devotion, and universal brotherhood across the world.

He also took to X to share pictures of his visit to the grand Hindu temple in the Gulf and described it as a global symbol of Sanatan culture.

“"I had the privilege of visiting the grand and divine BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. Reaching this temple, which has become a global symbol of Sanatan culture, I experienced faith, spirituality, and Indian pride. May the grace of Lord Shri Swaminarayan bring welfare to the world; this is my prayer,” he captioned the pictures.

MP CM’s visit to the BAPS temple came during his visit to Dubai, where he met the Indian diaspora and urged them to invest in state’s progress, highlighting that there lies immense possibilities for endless growth.

‘This is not just a time for dreams; it is a time for decisive action. Madhya Pradesh is ready - for you, with you,” Dr Yadav told the Indian community.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) After spending 18 days on the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Monday has begun his journey towards Earth.

On June 26, Shukla became the first Indian to reach the orbital lab. He also became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey.

The 14-day mission was extended to 18 days, and Shukla boarded SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, named 'Grace' at 03:30 am CT (2 pm IST).

The hatch closed between the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station "at 5:07 a.m. EDT," NASA said in a blog post.

Shukla along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) undocked from the ISS's Harmony module at about 7:15 a.m. ET (4:45 pm IST).

"Dragon is GO to undock from the Space_Station," SpaceX said in a post on X.

"Dragon separation confirmed!" the post added.

"After a 22.5-hour journey back to Earth, the crew is expected to splash down off the coast of California at approximately 4:31 am CT (3:01 pm IST, Tuesday)," said Axiom Space in a statement.

In a heartfelt farewell message from space on Sunday, Shukla described his time aboard the ISS as “an incredible journey,” and thanked ISRO, Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX for their support.

"India still looks better than the whole world,” he said.

“Today's India looks ambitious from space, today’s India looks brave, today’s India looks confident, today’s India looks full of pride,” the IAF Group Captain added.

Even as Shukla’s successful mission marks a historic milestone, his family, filled with joy and pride, is also anxiously awaiting his safe landing.

"We’re feeling superbly excited and nervous, just like it felt on the first day of his lift-off. There’s a sense of nervousness because this is such a crucial stage, it’s the final one. Once he splashes down safely, only then will we feel relieved and relaxed," Shukla’s sister Shuchi Mishra told IANS.

Residents of Varanasi were also seen performing a special 'yagya-havan' for the safe return of Group Captain Shukla.

The ceremony, marked by devotion and patriotic pride, saw priests chanting Vedic mantras as flames of the sacred fire rose towards the sky --mirroring the celestial heights from which Shukla is now returning.

On the orbital post, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, taking a major step in advancing India's Gaganyaan human space flight mission.

These included experiments to decode muscle loss, developing a brain-computer interface, and sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space, among others.

The experiments represent a significant leap in space science and technology, contributing critical knowledge to support Gaganyaan, India's human spaceflight mission, and the setting up of Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and other future planetary missions.

After landing, Shukla, along with other crew members, will undergo a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth's gravity.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, July 14 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday tabled the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025 to ensure stringent punishment for those committing the heinous crime of sacrilege, including life imprisonment. It was listed for debate on Tuesday.

On the demand of Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa that the Bill should be either listed for debate on Tuesday, the last day of the extended special assembly, as they didn’t get time to go through it or it should be referred to the select committee for scrutiny and the discussion would be held later accordingly.

Agreeing to the request, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the debate on the Bill will take place on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mann, approved the Bill.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s Office said that there have been numerous incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and other revered granths, deeply wounding public sentiment and causing unrest in society.

While Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita of 2023 address such issues, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties to serve as an effective deterrent.

Considering the gravity of such offences and the imperative to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the Cabinet found it necessary to introduce state-specific legislation providing enhanced penalties, including life imprisonment, for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy granth.

The Bill mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment, for the desecration of sacred granths including the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Bible, Quran Sharif, and other revered granths.

With the enactment of this law, the state seeks to further strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace, and amity, said the government spokesperson.

It will also act as a strong deterrent against anti-social and anti-national activities by ensuring severe punishment for perpetrators of this heinous crime.

Notably, until now, no specific legislation existed that directly addressed offences against holy granths, often resulting in leniency or evasion of serious action by the culprits.

The new Act aims to fill that legal void by criminalising and prescribing punishments for acts of sacrilege across all sects and faiths.

Under the proposed law, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. Those attempting the offence may be sentenced to three to five years, while individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 14 (IANS) The Railways Ministry on Monday said the bullet train project has achieved a major milestone of opening the first section of the 21-km undersea tunnel between BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) and Thane.

The bullet train project recently achieved a major milestone by completing 310 km of viaduct construction.

“Track laying, construction of overhead electrical wires, stations, and bridges is going on at a rapid pace. The construction work in Maharashtra has also picked up pace. In parallel, the progress on procurement of systems for operations and control is also going on well,” said the ministry.

In the spirit of strategic partnership between Japan and India, the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet train project. It is noteworthy that E10 will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan, it added.

The entire 508-km corridor is being developed with Japanese Shinkansen technology. It will set new benchmarks for speed, safety, and reliability, reflecting the deep strategic and technological cooperation between India and Japan.

Civil works are progressing at a rapid pace across the alignment. About 310 km of viaduct have been constructed. Fifteen river bridges are completed, and four are in the advanced stages of construction. Out of 12 stations, 5 are completed, and 3 more are now reaching the completion stage.

“The station at BKC is an engineering marvel. The station will be located 32.5 m below ground, and the foundation is designed to support the construction of a 95-meter building above ground,” said the ministry.

The success of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is laying the foundation for future bullet train corridors in India. Future corridors are also under active consideration.

This remarkable pace of development showcases India’s capability to execute world-class infrastructure using cutting-edge global technology, with Japan playing a pivotal role as a trusted partner in this transformative journey.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday objected to a social media post of a cartoonist from Madhya Pradesh, which depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in an “undignified manner”.

The caricature, showing an RSS figure with khaki shorts pulled down and the Prime Minister administering an injection to the exposed figure, was accompanied by a provocative caption referencing "derogatory lines involving Lord Shiva" and the "caste census".

In the course of hearing, a Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Aravind Kumar termed the conduct of cartoonist Hemant Malviya “inflammatory” and “immature.” The Justice Dhulia-led Bench was hearing an anticipatory bail plea of the cartoonist, who was booked by the MP Police for allegedly sharing “indecent” social media posts.

The apex court asked advocate Vrinda Grover, who appeared on Malviya’s behalf, to take instructions if he was willing to delete his post. In repose, Grover submitted that the petitioner was willing to take down the controversial post and to make a statement that he was not endorsing the objectionable comments. At this, the Justice Dhulia-led Bench orally remarked, “The comedians, cartoonists, etc., look at their conduct!”

When Grover pressed for interim protection from arrest, the apex court refused to pass any order but listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Natraj, appearing on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh government, said that the controversial post was creating social disharmony and all over the country, such things are happening and triggering the breakdown of law and order.

Earlier, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had denied the relief to Malviya, observing that such content had the potential to disrupt social harmony and he had "clearly overstepped the threshold of freedom of speech and expression". In its order, issued on July 3, a single-judge Bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar said that the content, along with Malviya's endorsement and his invitation for others to modify and share the cartoon, was not in good taste and constituted a deliberate act meant to outrage sentiments.

The Bench of Justice Abhyankar emphasised that the freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution does not extend to deliberate acts that insult religion or promote discord. It concluded that the caricature, along with Malviya's public endorsement, crossed the bounds of lawful satire and warranted serious legal consequences.

The Lasudia police station in Indore registered a case against Malviya for offences punishable under Sections 196, 299, 302, 352, and 353(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 67-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, July 14 (IANS) The condition of the victim, a student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar following a self-immolation attempt on Saturday, remains critical, said Dillip Kumar Parida, Medical Superintendent of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The victim, a B.Ed student, took the extreme step over alleged sexual harassment by the Head of the Department (HOD), Samir Kumar Sahu.

Speaking to media persons, Parida on Monday said, “Round-the-clock treatment of the victim girl is going on. Our experts on round checked her today morning and had consultations with the doctors of AIIMS, Delhi. The condition of the patient still remains critical, and no improvement has been marked. As we had told earlier, the initial 72 hours are very vital for the patient. Fluid replacement is continuing. Dialysis was held yesterday, and if required, it will be carried out today too.”

He also informed reporters that 24 hours have already passed since the initial 72-hour critical period began following the admission of the victim to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment.

The victim has over 90 per cent burn injuries and is battling for her life at the ICU, the burn centre of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

Notably, the victim set herself ablaze after pouring petrol on herself in front of the Principal's chamber on Saturday. The student with severe burn wounds was rushed to Balasore Medical College, but was later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for advanced treatment.

Prior to the self-immolation bid, the victim had staged a sit-in protest near the college campus demanding action against the accused HoD of the BEd department, Samir Kumar Sahu, for the alleged misbehaviour.

She was very upset as no action was taken against the HoD by the college authorities despite her lodging a formal complaint against the accused Sahu.

Sahu was immediately arrested by the Sahadevkhunta Police after a case was registered against him under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 108 (abetment to suicide), 75(1)(iii) (sexual harassment), etc.

The Principal of the FM College, Dillip Kumar Ghose, has also been placed under suspension for failing to deal with the matter properly.

--IANS

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Guwahati, July 14 (IANS) In a significant development, a recent survey at the famed Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam recorded a total of 43 grassland bird species, officials announced on Monday.

The 43 grassland bird species included one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, along with several species endemic to the region as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that the survey, conducted between March 18 and May 25, placed special emphasis on ten focal species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains.

These threatened or endemic species include, Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn’s Weaver, Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird.

The KNPTR Director said the first grassland bird survey report marked a significant milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains.

The extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, she said, adding that utilising a combination of point count surveys and passive acoustic monitoring, the initiative represents the first dedicated attempt to assess grassland avifauna across this ecologically critical landscape.

Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary expressed his deep satisfaction over the recording of 43 grassland bird species.

In a post on the X, the Minister said: “Thrilled to share that Kaziranga’s first-ever grassland survey has recorded 43 grassland bird species, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics.”

He said: “The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity of grassland obligate birds in India, reflecting the habitat’s robust health and effective protection. Our commitment to science-backed management continues strong !”

The KNPTR Director Ghosh said that the key highlight of the survey was to find the breeding colony of the endangered Finn’s Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus) at Kaziranga. This remarkable bird (a lifer for many birdwatchers), a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health, the senior Indian Forest Service officer said.

According to Ghosh, these species serve as ecological indicators of the health and integrity of floodplain grasslands. Another significance of the outcome of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas, she said.

Ghosh said that the report identifies several critical grassland habitats within Kaziranga that support significant populations of threatened and endemic species.

Notably, the discovery of a breeding colony of the Endangered Finn’s Weaver in the Kohora Range marks a pivotal finding and reinforces the need for focused habitat protection and management.

The report is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated team of forest officials, bird experts, scientists, and conservationists, the official said.

The survey report was released by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in an event at Kaziranga. The Minister appreciated the efforts of the Park authorities to document lesser-known aspects of biodiversity in the Park.

The KNPTR Director said that this report represents an important first step in the long-term conservation of grassland birds and emphasised the need for continued ecological monitoring and adaptive management to safeguard these fragile ecosystems.

This pioneering work reaffirms Kaziranga’s stature not only as a stronghold for charismatic megafauna but also as a critical refuge for avian biodiversity within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, she stated.

The KNPTR, India’s seventh UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises three forest divisions -- the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat; the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and the Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon.

Home to a remarkable population of the "Big Five," it comprises 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses as of the 2022 census, 104 Bengal Tigers in 2022, 1,228 Asian Elephants in 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffalos in 2022, and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer also recorded in 2022.

--IANS

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