India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Mumbai, Jul 12 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Saturday welcomed the inclusion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 12 forts in the UNESCO World Heritage List and said all unauthorised constructions on these historic structures should be removed, irrespective of the communities these encroachers belong to. Thackeray also pointed out that the government should not take the World Heritage status for granted, as it can be taken away if the criteria are not followed properly. The 'Maratha Military Landscapes' representing the fortification system of Maratha rulers have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The decision was taken during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Paris. 'Maratha Military Landscapes' include the forts of Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. In a post on X, the MNS chief said, "The government should demolish all unauthorised constructions on these forts immediately! Regardless of the religion or caste of the encroachers." Those who speak about Maharashtra's achievements on this occasion will know how far the idea of Swarajya instilled by Shivaji Maharaj had reached and will also know how old and strong the bridge between two languages and cultures is, he wrote, apparently referring to the Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. "Now, one can hope that these 11 forts in Maharashtra get preserved properly. Once UNESCO gives the status of World Heritage site, there are strict criteria for conservation and renovation of those structures, which will have to be followed, and the forts of our Maharaj will get the attention they deserve," Thackeray said. He said now, the state government will receive funds for the conservation of these forts, and the state should also allocate more from its own pockets. Every government in the past had left these forts in a state of disrepair, making it impossible to invite the world to visit them and show them the glory of Shivaji Maharaj and Maharashtra, Thackeray said. PTI PR ARU
New Delhi: The first warship in the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft series, equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, is set to be inducted into the Indian Navy on June 18, officials said on Friday. The commissioning ceremony of 'Arnala' at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. "The warship incorporates more than 80 per cent indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L& ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 7 (PTI) Rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will hold separate Foundation Day gatherings in Pune on June 10 in the backdrop of a growing buzz over a reunion, though both sides insisted there was no such proposal on the table despite frequent meetings between their top leaders. Maharashtra NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Jayant Patil clarified that talk about both the factions coming together was "only in the air", and there has been no discussion on a possible reunion. Talking to PTI, Patil said, ''On June 10, we will celebrate the 26th year of foundation o ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Mumbai: NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Friday threw his weight behind Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray in their protest against the Maharashtra government's controversial move to make Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Classes 1 to 5. Pawar said the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but stated that forcing the language on young children is inappropriate and undermines the importance of the mother tongue. Speaking to reporters, Pawar said, "At the primary level, the mother tongue is critical for a child's development. Making Hindi mandatory from Cl ...Read More >
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has raised concern over terminally ill prisoners languishing in Maharashtra's jails and asked the state govt to consider proper implementation of an advisory on grant of medical bail or to place them in house arrest. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan on Monday said they visited the Yerwada central prison in Pune on Sunday and met with prisoners, particularly women inmates, and inspected the condition there. The bench referred to a ...Read More >
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday indicated that an alliance between his party and Raj Thackeray-led MNS will take place ahead of crucial local bodies including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) elections. Responding to a question on potential alliance between the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), Mr.Thackeray said whatever is in the minds of Maharashtra's people will happen and he will soon give the news. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena's woman leader Sujata Shingade joined the Shiv Sena (UBT) at Mr.Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree'. Ms Shingade said that it was her mistake ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) The Congress on Sunday staged a protest against the Maharashtra government's decision to allot Mother Dairy's land in Kurla for rehabilitating ineligible slum-dwellers who will be displaced by the Dharavi redevelopment project. City Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who led the demonstration, targeted the state government's decision with a "surrender" barb, alleging that the opposition by local people was ignored. "The market value of this land is in the hundreds of crores, but it is being handed over to Adani at a nominal price," she alleged. The Maharashtra cabinet la ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 8 (PTI) The Congress on Sunday staged a protest against the Maharashtra government's decision to allot Mother Dairy's land in Kurla for rehabilitating ineligible slum-dwellers who will be displaced by the Dharavi redevelopment project. City Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who led the demonstration, targeted the state government's decision with a "surrender" barb, alleging that the opposition by local people was ignored. Also Read | Encroachers Can't Claim Right To Continue Occupying Public Land, Says Delhi High Court. "The market value of this land is in the hundreds of crore ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) Estranged cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray will unite for the cause of the Marathi language, in a joint morcha in Mumbai on July 5 against the "imposition" of Hindi and the state government's three-language formula for Classes 1 to 5. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Friday said it will support the protest march, with Pawar asserting that the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on young students. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray will be seen together at the ...Read More >
Guwahati/Morigaon, Jun 6 (PTI) The flood situation in Assam continued to be critical with over 5.6 lakh people reeling under the deluge in 16 districts, an official bulletin said on Friday. The toll in this year's floods and landslides stands at 21, with two more deaths reported on Thursday. Also Read | Thane Shocker: Wife Booked for Hurling Hot Oil on Autorickshaw Driver During Fight Over Domestic Issues in Kalyan. Wildlife has also been affected with nearly 70 per cent of the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district facing inundation, an official said. The Regional Meteorological ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) The first 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train Tour' has received overwhelming response as all the seats have been booked ahead of the scheduled departure on June 9, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited said on Friday. In a release, IRCTC, a 'Navratna' PSU under the railway ministry, said all 710 seats have been booked in 11 coaches. These comprise 480 in the Economy (Sleeper) category, 190 in Comfort (3AC) and 40 in Superior (2AC), indicating strong interest across travel classes, it added. IRCTC in collaboration with Maharashtra government ...Read More >
Kolhapur, June 27: NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday said that the people of Maharashtra are not anti-Hindi, but it is not right to impose the language on young students in Class 1-4. Speaking to reporters here, he said 55 per cent of the country's population speaks Hindi, and one cannot ignore it. A language row erupted in Maharashtra after the state government last week issued an amended order stating Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. Three-Language Policy Debate: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadna ...Read More >
Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Jun 27 (PTI) Union Minister George Kurian on Friday said that everything was secondary to the idea of Bharat Mata, amid a controversy over displaying a portrait of the nation as a mother figure with a saffron flag at Kerala Raj Bhavan's official functions. Speaking to reporters here, he said that "the Raj Bhavan and those in the government were secondary to Bharat Mata". The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Minority Affairs also dared the Congress and the Left parties, CPI(M) and CPI, to try and prohibit the slogan -- 'Bharat M ...Read More >
Kochi, Feb 3 (PTI) The opposition Congress-led UDF on Monday intensified its criticism of Union Ministers George Kurian and Suresh Gopi over their recent controversial statements, calling their remarks "immature" and accusing BJP leaders like them of having contempt for Kerala. Addressing reporters here, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, strongly criticised the "backward" remark made by Kurian, the Minister of State for Minorities and Fisheries, on Union Budget day, and stated that Kerala has only sought the funds it rightfully deserves from the centre. Taking a ...Read More >
Maharashtra NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Jayant Patil clarified that talk about both the factions coming together was "only in the air", and there has been no discussion on a possible reunion Rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will hold separate Foundation Day gatherings in Pune on June 10 in the backdrop of a growing buzz over a reunion, though both sides insisted there was no such proposal on the table despite frequent meetings between their top leaders. Maharashtra NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Jayant Patil clarified that talk about both the factions comin ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jun 7 (PTI) A 26-year-old man allegedly beheaded his wife following a heated argument on the outskirts of Bengaluru after he suspected her of having an extra-marital affair, police said on Saturday. After killing Manasa, Shankar travelled with her severed head on his scooter to the nearest police station and confessed to the crime, they said. The man was later arrested, police said, adding that the incident occurred at Heelalige village, near Chandapura, Anekal taluk late on Friday. According to the police, the couple were married for over five years and have a four-year-old daug ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The BJP-led State government's decision to introduce Hindi as the third language in primary schools may bring the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray together in defence of Marathi and the interests of the 'Marathi manoos'. After meeting Maharashtra Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray categorically rejected the government's rationale behind the move. He asserted that if the State government were genuinely committed to fulfilling the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), it should instead consider intro ...Read More >
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has called for a significant protest march on July 5 at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai against the "imposition of Hindi." Thackeray emphasized that the march will showcase Marathi unity, cultural pride, and will exclude political flags, focusing solely on the Marathi agenda. The protest comes amid debates over making Hindi compulsory in Maharashtra schools.Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has called for a large-scale protest march on July 5 at Girgaon Chow ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 23 (PTI) The GST Council is likely to meet soon to discuss rate simplification and rationalisation and the future of compensation cess, according to a source. "There are three or four different aspects relating to making GST simpler. We will take up the issue of compensation cess, rate rationalisation and simplification," the source said. The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister and comprising state counterparts, in its meeting in December last year, did not take up the GoM reports on rate rationalisation and rate reduction in health and life insurance. The two GoMs ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane on Thursday claimed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had insulted Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Raj Thackeray in the past. Speaking to reporters in Solapur, Rane, a BJP MLA, also said Uddhav Thackeray must admit the 'Ladha Aapalya Shivsenesathi' (fight for your Shiv Sena) was meant to promote his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray. "Uddhav Thackeray consistently insulted Raj Thackeray and forced him to leave the party. Raj was always seen as inheritor of the legacy of late Balasaheb Thackeray. That is why senior leaders of both ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers attacked an auto-rickshaw driver here and forced him to apologise for allegedly using objectionable language against a Marathi-speaking passenger as well as party chief Raj Thackeray. The incident involving the passenger took place in Dadar area of central Mumbai on Wednesday. The passenger shot a video of the driver using objectionable language against him and Thackeray. He later posted the video, which shows the number plate of the auto-rickshaw, on social media, a police official said. On the basis of the video, MNS workers tra ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen, amid talks of possibility of an alliance between his party and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray. Talking to reporters here, the former chief minister said there was no confusion in the minds of the workers of both the parties about this. "Whatever people of Maharashtra wish will happen," Thackeray said. The Thackeray cousins have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with their recent statements indicating that they ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday demanded an apology from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for wearing a 'jiretop', a traditional headgear worn by Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Sapkal also accused Adityanath of spreading misinformation by claiming that Ramdas Swami was guru of the 17th-century king who founded the Maratha empire. "He must apologise for insulting the Maharaj by wearing a jiretop. Those insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are being rewarded and protected by the BJP-led government," he alleged whi ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
MUMBAI: There is growing speculation that the Thackeray cousins may unite to contest the BMC and other local body elections against their Mahayuti alliance partners. On Friday, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) indicated that his party will align with the people's wishes. When asked about his possible collaboration with his cousin MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the Shiv Sena (UBT) president said that whatever the people desire will happen. He also said that he will soon share "good news". Reacting to the developments, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the Mahayuti would contest the election ...Read More >
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will jointly organize a protest march on July 5 against the state government's reported move to make Hindi compulsory up to Class 4 under the 'Three Language Policy'. The announcement was made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut at a press conference on Friday. Raut said, "We are not against any language. We have always respected Hindi. People like us have always valued it. Our party uses Hindi in many ways. But the recent decision to make Hindi compulsory as the third language up to Class 4 under the 'Three Language P ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited a private hospital in Thane for a "check-up," two days before a new CM is sworn in at an open ground ceremony in south Mumbai. Even as it is not known yet who would take oath as chief minister at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5, preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters. Shinde, who had been staying at his private residence in Thane for the last few days, visited the hospital in the morning. "I ...Read More >
Gurgaon: A chemist and a lab operator have been arrested for allegedly selling medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) kits illegally. Two separate FIRs were lodged against the accused at Sector 10 and Sector 9A police stations, police said on Friday.The pharmacy was sealed and medical officials have initiated proceedings to cancel its licence. District drugs control officer Suresh Verma said the department received information about illegal sales of MTP kits - also called abortion kits - from Juneja Chemist, located near Civil Hospital. A pregnant woman, who was deployed as a decoy customer, v ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will jointly organize a protest march on July 5 against the state government's reported move to make Hindi compulsory up to Class 4 under the 'Three Language Policy'. The announcement was made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Sanjay Raut at a press conference on Friday. Also Read | Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray to Unite Against Hindi 'Imposition' in Maharashtra Schools, Says Sanjay Raut. Raut said, "We are not against any language. We have always respected Hindi. People like us have alway ...Read More >