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.
JAMMU: Torrential rain struck a remote Himalayan mountain village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday, killing at least 37 people and injuring many more, officials said. The disaster, reportedly triggered by a cloudburst, took place in Chasoti village by the banks of Chishoti Nullah (a rivulet), a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route to Mata Machail temple in Padder area. The pilgrimage began on July 25, and over 130,000 pilgrims have already paid obeisance at the shrine. A police officer said a cloudburst in Chishoti Nullah triggered massive flash floods around noon on Thursday. "The deluge hit a community kitchen set up for the pilgrims where 100 to 150 pilgrims were having food," the officer said. A cloudburst, according to the Indian Meteorological Department, is a sudden downpour of over 100 mm of rain in just one hour, which can trigger floods, landslides, and devastation, especially in mountainous regions during the monsoon. Kishtwar district commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma said 37 people have died so far and over a 100 are injured. There are chances of more dead bodies being found, he said. Inspector General of Police Jammu zone BS Tuti said most of the victims were pilgrims and the casualty figures were exoected to rise. The injured were rushed to the sub-district hospital at Atholi, many were shifted to the district hospital in Kishtwar 80km away. Apart from the community kitchen, three-four houses located close to the rivulet were also swept away. Much of the Chishoti village is safe since it is located at some distance from the rivulet and is on a slope. Personnel of the Indian Army, Border Security Force, State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed. A Gulabgarh resident, Deepak Singh said the situation was "very grim". "About 150 pilgrims had taken shelter in the Langar when a cloudburst hit the area," he said. He said the CISF had set up a picket near the community kitchen, which was also swept away in the torrent of water and debris along with vehicles which were parked. Chasoti village was the last motorable village on the way to the shrine.
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
The annual 'Kartheeka Brahmotsavams' began at the temple of Goddess Sri Padmavati Ammavaru at Tiruchanur here on November 28 (Thursday). Priests hoisted the 'Dhwajapatam', the sacred flag bearing the imprint of the divine elephant (the celestial carrier of Goddess Padmavati), atop the temple flag post as part of the 'Dhwajarohanam' ceremony, which signalled the formal launch of the nine-day fete. Under the guidance of the 'Pancharatra Agama' adviser Manikantha Swamy, the officiating priest (Kankana Bhattar), K. Srinivasacharyulu, and priest Babu Swamy conducted the rituals. Executive Office ...Read More >
The weather body also issued an orange alert for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Palakkad. India Meteorological Department (IMD) revised its earlier alert issued in Kerala to red for four districts in the state, forecasting extremely heavy rains on December 2. According to the weather forecaster, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall on Monday. Though the weather agency earlier placed Kottayam and Pathanamthitta under an "orange" alert today, it was changed into a "red alert" later in the day. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the Karnataka government and the Centre should resolve the issue in connection with the release of financial assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to the state for drought management. The matter came up before a bench comprising justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, requested the bench that he needed some time to file an affidavit in the matter. "You should resolve it," the bench said. During the hearing, the bench queried, how much amount has been released so far? ...Read More >
Tamil Nadu Weather Update: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall starting Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said in its latest bulletin. According to the IMD bulletin on Dec. 12, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are very likely to witness isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall on Dec. 12, 13, 16 and 17 due to the northeast monsoon spell that is entering its next phase. "Thunderstorm with intermittent spells of heavy rain is likely to occur in some areas," the Chennai Met Office said in a bulletin at 11:30 am on Thur ...Read More >
Khordha (Odisha): A severe cold wave gripped northern Odisha on Sunday, with the Mayurbhanj in the northern part of the State bearing the brunt of the intense chill with Ramatirtha area in the district recording as low as -10 degrees Celsius. According to the Forest Department, temperatures while other areas such as Gurguria and Barehipani recorded 6 degrees Celsius, Chahala 4 degrees Celsius, Nawana -5 degrees Celsius, and Upper Baraha Kamuda (UBK) -3 degrees Celsius. Statement Of IMD Scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy On Saturday, IMD scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy said that the cold wave will last for ...Read More >
Khordha (Odisha) [India], December 15 (ANI): A severe cold wave gripped northern Odisha on Sunday, with the Mayurbhanj in the northern part of the State bearing the brunt of the intense chill with Ramatirtha area in the district recording as low as -10 degrees Celsius. According to the Forest Department, temperatures while other areas such as Gurguria and Barehipani recorded 6 degrees Celsius, Chahala 4 degrees Celsius, Nawana -5 degrees Celsius, and Upper Baraha Kamuda (UBK) -3 degrees Celsius. Also Read | CAT 2024 Results: IIM Calcutta Likely To Release CAT 2024 Results Today at iimcat.ac. ...Read More >
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...Read More >
Kanpur, January 27: Due to the massive influx of devotees for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Varanasi's District Magistrate in Uttar Pradesh has announced that all schools in the district will be closed from Monday, January 27, 2025, to Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and managing traffic congestion caused by the large number of pilgrims arriving in Varanasi for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Despite the school closures, online classes will continue as usual to maintain the academic schedule, News18 reported. This directive applies to all CBSE, ICSE ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has directed that no new lawsuits related to places of worship (temples, mosques, or shrines) can be filed until further notice. This decision was made during the ongoing hearing of petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The ruling prohibits the lower courts from issuing any survey orders or interim orders that might alter the status or nature of any religious site. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan, issued this order while hearing sev ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 15: The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, will not be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Revised Business List of the Lower House for the day does not mention the Bill. The first list had scheduled the Bill for Monday. It mentioned, "... Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill." One Nation, One Election: Union Cabinet Approves Bills for Simultaneous Lok Sabha, State Assembly Elections, Say Source ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Pakistan high commission on Wednesday said it issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit the Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district. The group has been given visas to visit the Katas Raj temples from December 19 to 25. The temples are also known as Qila Katas. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year.Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol. ...Read More >
Rajouri: State Health Department teams are continuing door-to-door surveillance in Badhal village as the mystery illness in Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir continues to claim lives. This after an 'unidentified' disease has claimed 16 reported fatalities and 38 affected individuals According to reports, NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) teams have been deployed for investigation as 16 deaths have been reported in Budhal village since December 2024 due to a 'mysterious illness.' Dilmir Choudhary, ADC Kotranka said, "Since December, we h ...Read More >
Delhi is facing worsening pollution and erratic weather patterns, with the air quality regularly reaching dangerous levels. This is partly due to climate change, with temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by global warming. The industrial revolution has played a significant role, contributing to the rise in global temperatures. The effects are already being felt, with 2024 witnessing record-breaking heat in India. Despite this, there is little action from society or leadership, with courts repeatedly stepping in to address issues like pollution and farm fires. The need f ...Read More >
New Delhi: The annual all-India conference of directors general of police and inspectors general of police will begin in Bhubaneswar on Friday where issues related to internal security, Jammu and Kashmir, and pro-Khalistan elements, among others are likely to be discussed, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, among others will attend the three-day conference where cyber crimes, challenges posed by AI tools and threats emanating from drones are also expected to be discussed. About 250 officers of DGP and IGP ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 5: Uttar Pradesh's Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed confidence that Mahakumbh 2025 will play a pivotal role in showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and Sanatan traditions globally. Speaking on the progress of preparations, he told IANS, "The arrangements for Mahakumbh are progressing in full swing. We are committed to welcoming all devotees, irrespective of their origin -- whether from different states of India or other countries. We aim to host them with unmatched arrangements that combine magnificence, divinity, and cultural vibrancy." "This gran ...Read More >
Heavy rains across Tamil Nadu have led to school closures in several districts, including Chennai, on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert, predicting moderate rains and light thunderstorms in parts of the state. Rainfall figures show significant precipitation in multiple areas. Meanwhile, Northern India braces for a cold wave beginning December 9, with the IMD forecasting plunging temperatures in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.Schools acros ...Read More >
Kottayam (Kerala), Dec 12 (PTI) The historic struggle for equality that took place in Vaikom a century ago, popularly known as the Vaikom Satyagraha, was not a movement confined to Kerala but marked the starting point for various other struggles for social justice, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Thursday. In his address at Vaikom in this district after inaugurating the renovated Thanthai Periyar Memorial and Periyar Library, Stalin said that while impressive strides have been made in areas of social justice and economy in 100 years, a lot more has to be achieved. Stalin inaugur ...Read More >
Sambhal (UP), Dec 15 (PTI) Weeks after violent clashes over a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid claimed four lives, the district administration has launched a campaign against encroachments and illegal power theft in the area around the historic mosque. As part of its efforts, the administration began removing encroachments from the area on Sunday morning. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra, the focus is on clearing drains outside houses and shops in the area under the Nakhasa police station. The area is close to the residence of Samajwadi Part ...Read More >
Keonjhar: The last rites of Lata Mohanta (58), an organ donor from Kodakhaman village in Patna block, was performed with state honours. Mohanta, wife of Kulamani Mahanta, passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar after a brief illness following her brain stroke. Her family honoured her last wish by consenting to donate her organs, her liver successfully transplanted into another patient. "State honours were accorded to recognize her noble sacrifice and promote awareness about organ donation," said additional district magistrate Mandardhar Mahalik, who attended the ceremony. She was gi ...Read More >
Heavy rains lashed Thoothukudi and surrounding areas in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, causing severe waterlogging in several localities. The IMD predicts the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify and move towards the Tamil Nadu coast, bringing further rainfall across the state in the coming days.Several parts of Thoothukudi and adjoining areas witnessed severe waterlogging on Sunday as heavy rains continued to lash parts of Tamil Nadu. Visuals showed water ...Read More >
PUDUCHERRY: With the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) heavy rain forecast for Puducherry, the UT government has ramped up its preparedness to mitigate the impact, including uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supplies, evacuating residents from low-lying areas, and setting up relief camps. Puducherry experienced 7.69 cm of rainfall Karaikal received 9.6 cm of rainfall in the past 24 hours. After visiting several areas in the UT to assess the situation, Chief Minister N Rangasamy convened an emergency meeting with Public Works Minister Lakshminarayanan, Collector A Kulothungan ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed courts across the country to refrain from admitting or passing any new orders on pleas seeking surveys of mosques to determine if temples lie beneath them. This decision extends to existing suits, halting any further orders on the matter. The directive was issued as the apex court continued hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This Act prohibits filing lawsuits to reclaim places of worship or alter their character from what existed on August 15, 1947. Judicial Revie ...Read More >
Kochi: The High Court has directed the Kerala state government to convince the central government that the state deserves more assistance for the Wayanad landslide disaster. The division bench also expressed its readiness to mediate between the central and state governments in this regard. According to the latest figures, the state disaster relief fund holds around Rs 700 crore, but only Rs 61 crore is available for expenditure, as reported by the amicus curiae. Kerala: Court orders inclusion of abetment charges against police officers in Dalit youth suicide case The Kerala state government ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 27 (ANI): The ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has witnessed an extraordinary surge in devotees, with over 6.019 million pilgrims taking the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers as of 12 pm on Monday, as per Uttar Pradesh government. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday took a holy dip at the Sangam Triveni in Prayagraj in the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela. Also Read | Uttarakhand Becomes First State To Implement Uniform Civil Code; CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Launches UCC Portal, Credits People for Implementatio ...Read More >
Minimum night-time temperatures in the region have risen to between 20°C and 22°C, marking a significant change from the cooler weather previously experienced. (READ MORE BELOW) Hyderabad is experiencing a unique weather spell this winter, as the city and its surrounding districts find themselves in the midst of an extended monsoon season. Despite the seasonal shift to winter, the city has been facing conditions more typical of the monsoon months. With temperatures hovering well above the usual winter lows, residents of Hyderabad and neighboring areas can expect a week of continued rain, clou ...Read More >
Ayodhya, Dec 5 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the Opposition parties of trying to divide society, saying what Mughal ruler Babur's army did in Ayodhya and Sambhal is what is happening in Bangladesh. The chief minister, who was in the temple town for the inauguration of the 43rd Ramayan Mela, said Lord Ram united the whole society. "Had we given importance to unity and not let the strategy of nation's enemies succeed in creating social animosity, this country would have never become a slave. Our pilgrimages would not have become impure. A handful of inv ...Read More >
Aryan Meena, who lived in the Dausa district of Rajasthan state, was trapped in the narrow well for three days after falling into it while playing on Monday afternoon. The boy, wearing pants and a t-shirt, had to endure plummeting winter temperatures inside the well as well as hunger and thirst. Children and even adult people dying from falling into open borewells is not uncommon in rural India where they are dug to pump water for irrigation and drinking and left abandoned after they run dry. ...Read More >