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.
New Delhi: Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has signed the bilateral Hajj Agreement in Jeddah, with the country's quota for India confirmed at 175,025 for the pilgrimage in 2026. Rijiju, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from November 7 to 9, held a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, in Jeddah on Sunday. During the meeting, both ministers reviewed the ongoing Hajj preparations, discussed measures to enhance coordination and logistical support, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further streamline the pilgrimage process for Indian pilgrims, an official statement said. The discussions focused on improving facilities, transportation, accommodation, and health services to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage experience. Following the meeting, the two sides signed the Bilateral Hajj Agreement between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj-2026 in Jeddah. The country quota for India was confirmed at 175,025, the statement said. During the visit, Rijiju also held an internal review meeting with officials of the Embassy of India, Riyadh, and the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, to assess the ongoing preparations for Hajj-2026. He appreciated the efforts made by the Mission and the Consulate teams in close coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure the welfare and comfort of Indian pilgrims. The minister also undertook field visits to key Hajj and Umrah-related sites in Jeddah and Taif, including Terminal 1 and Haramain Station in Jeddah, to gain firsthand insight into the infrastructure and facilities available for pilgrims, the statement said. He also interacted with some of the members of the Indian diaspora in Jeddah and Taif. "A significant step in deepening the India-Saudi Arabia ties. Held a Bilateral Meeting & signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement with H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Haj Quota of 175,025 has been secured for Indian Pilgrims for 2026," Rijiju said on X. "Our discussions on Haj 2026 reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to ensure a safe, seamless & spiritually fulfilling journey for all Haj pilgrims," he said. The visit marks an important milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the statement said. It reflects the shared commitment of both nations to expand cooperation across diverse fields, particularly in cultural exchange, and community welfare. The visit further reinforced the spirit of friendship, mutual respect, and collaboration that continues to guide India-Saudi Arabia relations, contributing positively to the welfare of pilgrims and the broader strengthening of bilateral ties. Rijiju was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), and Ram Singh, Joint Secretary (Haj), Ministry of Minority Affairs. The visit was undertaken at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday launched the much-anticipated Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), a visionary initiative to foster entrepreneurship in J&K by creating 1.37 lakh enterprises and 4.25 lakh jobs in 5 years. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the programme as a transformative initiative aimed at empowering the youth of Jammu and Kashmir through entrepreneurship, financial support and opportunity-rich ecosystem development. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister affirmed his government ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that security measures have been strengthened to ensure the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra this year. SInha acknowledged dip in the registration of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims post the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in April this year. Addressing media persons at Raj Bhawan, Srinagar, Sinha said that registration dropped by around 10 percent, but maintained that ìthe numbers are now rising again.î ìPublic confidence is returning, and I am hopeful it will continue to grow. Befor ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday announced renewal of a scheme to promote registration of employers and employees to expand Employees' State Insurance (ESI) coverage across India. Originally introduced in 2016, SPREE (Scheme to Promote Registration of Employers/Employees) has facilitated the registration of over 88,000 employers and 1.02 crore employees. The renewed SPREE will be open from July 1 to December 31, 2025, offering a one-time opportunity for unregistered employers and left-out workers, including contractual and temporary staff, to enrol un ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps, on Sunday and reviewed the arrangements for the holy pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji, which is scheduled to begin from July 03. At Nunwan Base camp, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated a foot overbridge for smooth movement of pilgrims. The new facility will ensure efficient security checks and reduce the waiting time for devotees. The Lieutenant Governor interacted with the administrative and security officials deputed for the holy Yatra, and took stock of the security arrangements and preparations of sta ...Read More >
Kolkata: A two-member National Commission for Women team on Sunday visited the south Kolkata law college where a student was allegedly gang-raped last week.The team, accompanied by a videographer, was initially denied entry and asked to produce a formal order. After an hour-long discussion at the college entrance, the team, led by Archana Majumdar, was allowed in under two conditions -- no access to the crime scene and no videography permitted.The visit lasted 10 minutes. "We were denied access to the crime scene and other floors. I will include this in my report," said Majumdar, who was the f ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing from all angles, including sabotage, in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 274 people on board and on the ground last month, Minister of State (MoS) For Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said. Mohol said the black box of the Air India flight AI 171 that has been recovered is in AAIB's custody and will not be outside the country for a thorough assessment. The MoS was speaking at the Pune chapter of the Emerging Business Conclave. "It (plane crash) was an unfortunate incident. The AAIB has begun a full investig ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.The CM was addressing a ...Read More >
Over 331,000 devotees have already registered for the Amarnath Yatra, commencing on July 3 and concluding on August 9, 2025. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a meeting to review preparations, focusing on essential amenities and safety measures along the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The board discussed enhancing facilities, lodging, and services for a hassle-free pilgrimage. SRINAGAR: More than 3,31,000 devotees have registered so far for this year's Amarnath Yatra, which is set to begin on ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jun 29 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha visited the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps on Sunday to review the arrangements for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin from July 3. At the Nunwan base camp, the LG inaugurated a foot overbridge for smooth movement of the pilgrims. The new facility will ensure efficient security checks and reduce the waiting time for the devotees, an official spokesperson said. Sinha interacted with administrative and security officials deputed for the Amarnath Yatra, and took stock of the security arrang ...Read More >
He said the programme motivates every section of Indian society to move forward in a positive direction. Jammu and Kashmir BJP spokesperson and former Vice Chairman Balbir Ram Rattan on Sunday said that every episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' is not only in tune with public sentiments but also provides new information, inspiration, and ideas for social welfare. He said the programme motivates every section of Indian society to move forward in a positive direction. Balbir ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
Gorakhpur: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that every district in UP will soon have a 100-bed AYUSH Health & Wellness Centre to provide comprehensive healthcare through traditional systems like Panchakarma and Ksharsutra.Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University, Yogi said govt would also establish AYUSH colleges in six divisional headquarters.Yogi highlighted how traditional Indian medical systems received global attention only after 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi created ministry of AYUSH, integrating Ayurveda, Yoga, Un ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said the government is taking concrete steps to make the national capital pollution-free and green. "Public transportation is being rapidly converted to electric vehicles, which will not only reduce pollution but also provide Delhi residents with clean and affordable transportation," said CM Gupta in a post on X. Elaborating on steps being taken to clean the city's air, she said, "Dust pollution is being effectively controlled at construction sites and major roads through technologies like smoke guns and sprinkler ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) India on Tuesday urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 159 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners in view of completion of their jail terms. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 26 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan's custody, who are believed to be Indian, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Also Read | Fraudulent Website sarvashikshaabhiyan.com Makes Fake Job Offers, Claiming To Be Official Website of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PIB Fact Check Reveals Truth. India made the request in the ...Read More >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...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 >
Kolkata, June 28: A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a woman accused Padma Shree awardee monk Kartik Maharaj, who is posted with the Murshidabad unit of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, of allegedly raping her 12 times for six months in 2013. As per the police complaint lodged by the woman, Kartik Maharaj raped her multiple times 12 years ago promising her a job at a local school. The ruling Trinamool Congress is highlighting the issue in a major way and accusing the BJP of being silent on it since the accused monk had been reportedly close to the saffron party. The woman accusin ...Read More >
Haridwar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj on Sunday demanded that hotel, dhaba and eatery owners on the Kanwar Yatra routes should display their names and identities on boards outside their business establishments. The owners, who hide their identities under fake names, on the Kanwar Yatra routes should not be spared, he told reporters here. "Tampering with faith of the Hindu devotees during the Kanwar Yatra will not be tolerated," said the Unnao MP. The food shops on the Kanwar Yatra routes should have a board outside with the names of their owners clearly written on them, h ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday announced the appointment of Jayant Khobragade of the Indian Foreign Service batch of 1995, as the next Ambassador of India to Spain. Khobragade is currently serving as the Ambassador of India to ASEAN, is expected to assume his new role in Spain shortly, according to an official statement from the MEA. 'Shri Jayant Khobragade (IFS: 1995), presently Ambassador of India to ASEAN, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Spain. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,' the statemen ...Read More >
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is packing for what could be the longest diplomatic journey of his decade-long premiership. Five countries. Eight days. Thousands of kilometres. A tour that promises more than handshakes and speeches, this is about placing India at the heart of the Global South's rising story. From the mineral-rich heartlands of Africa to the energy corridors of Latin America, Modi's route is carefully chosen. His first five-nation circuit in 2016 had the charm of high-level symbolism. This one feels strategic, calculated and heavier in ambition. Ghana PM Modi is land ...Read More >
New Delhi, May ( وكالة الأنباء السعودية ۔ 29 مايو 2025ء) Saudi Chargé d'Affaires Ahmed Al-Ahmari and other embassy officials were present at the event. Al-Ahmari highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving pilgrims and the two holy mosques and commended the excellent organization of the Hajj guest program in India. The guests expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership and people for their efforts in serving the two holy mosques and pilgrims. The event concluded with the presentation of travel tickets and a kit containing essential supplies for the Hajj. ...Read More >
The Board will help the transgender community receive their rightful entitlements in education, healthcare, employment, and safety, Gupta said in a statement. Stating that the Board will work on policymaking and recommending welfare schemes, the chief minister added that it will also coordinate with various departments to solve issues regarding the transgender community. This development will also ensure the timely issuance of identity certificates and ID cards. Now, transgenders will be able ...Read More >
Puri: Despite travel uncertainties due to recent conflicts in some parts of the world, people from Europe and elsewhere have reached Puri to witness the annual Ratha Yatra of the sibling deities.As non-Hindus are not allowed inside the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, the Ratha Yatra provides a rare opportunity for devotees across the world to see the deities in their full glory atop their majestic wooden chariots."Back home, we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear. But here, I found peace. I came because this is my only chance to see Lord Jagannath. He comes out for the whole world. This is v ...Read More >
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that nearly 95 crore people in India are currently benefiting from one social security scheme or another, a significant rise from the less than 25 crore who were covered by such schemes before 2015. Speaking during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address, Modi referred to a recent International Labour Organisation (ILO) report, which highlighted that more than 64% of India's population is now receiving some form of social protection. "Presently, most o ...Read More >
Bengaluru, May 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Karnataka BJP on Tuesday slammed the Congress government for its 'Sadhana Samavesha' celebration to mark two years of coming to power, claiming that it has zero achievements and endless advertisements. State BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra said, "Beyond the glossy headlines and front-page ads, government stands exposed for rampant corruption, relentless price hikes, soaring farmer suicides, alarming maternal deaths, escalating crimes against women, Hindu lives under constant threat, deteriorating infrastructure, safe harbour for anti-national elements, sk ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) The government on Friday launched the UMEED portal that would create a digital inventory after geo-tagging of all Waqf properties with Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju calling it a historic step that would ensure that community-owned Waqf assets are utilised effectively and fairly for poor Muslims. The UMEED central portal, short for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 will serve as a centralised digital platform for real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties. Also Read | How To Activate Your UAN On ...Read More >
AMN New Delhi, June 6 -- Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, today launched the UMEED Central Portal in New Delhi to streamline the management of Waqf properties across India. Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian was also present at the launch. Describing it as a historic development, Rijiju said the portal would usher in a new era in the administration of Waqf assets and directly benefit ordinary citizens, especially women and children of the Muslim community. "The UMEED Portal will bring transparency and ensure the optimal and rightf ...Read More >
Nagpur: Warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to the entire country, but British history tried to confine him as a regional icon, said BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, who was in Nagpur on Friday to attend an event marking the 351st anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation. Trivedi told TOI at the event organized by Shivaji Maharaj Kruti Samiti that Shivaji Maharaj's contribution in 'safeguarding' the southern part of India from Mughal invasion must not be forgotten.Trivedi said, "Shivaji Maharaj belonged to all of us, entire country. Unfortunately, the British p ...Read More >
Mumbai: An article by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi terming the 2024 state assembly polls as 'match-fixing' stirred a political controversy in Maharashtra. Statement Of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Congress leader was insulting the voters and Ladki Bahins of Maharashtra. He said, "Rahul Gandhi has accepted his defeat in Bihar. As long as Rahul Gandhi keeps giving himself false assurances, his party can never win". Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule's Statement Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised Gandhi, saying his party w ...Read More >
New Delhi: The second match of the five-match Test series between India and England will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham. It will start on July 2. In this Test, Shubman Gill has a chance to create history. Actually, the Indian team has not been able to win on this ground so far. Team India played the first match on this ground in 1967. Be it Virat Kohli or Dhoni or Dravid or Sourav Ganguly, no Indian captain has won here in 58 years. However, Gill will have a chance to get his name registered in the history books. If he manages to end the drought of 58 years, he will become the first Indi ...Read More >