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 [India], April 7 (ANI): Senior Advocate and BJP leader HS Phoolka on Tuesday strongly criticised the Punjab government for planning to amend the 2008 Jagat Jyot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act without consulting the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), calling the move "a massive attack on the Sikh religion" and urging Sikhs to oppose it. Speaking to the ANI, Phoolka said that a special session of the Punjab Assembly has been called for April 13, partly to increase punishments under the sacrilege law and partly to amend the 2008 Act. While he supported the increase in punishment for sacrilege, ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, he expressed deep concern over the amendments to the SGPC Act. He said, "As far as the sacrilege law is concerned, the government has the right to increase criminal punishment for sacrilege. They have increased it to at least 10 years, and it can go up to life imprisonment. That's fine. But the amendment to the second act is very surprising. The government is also going to amend the 2008 Jagat Jyot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act." Phoolka explained, "Exclusive printing rights under the 2008 Jagat Jyot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act were granted to the SGPC. The government is moving to amend it without even consulting the SGPC. We do not yet know the specific amendments they are planning. This is quite shocking." He recalled that the Bhagwant Mann government had previously tried to sideline the SGPC in 2023, saying, "In 2023, they brought an act regarding the broadcasting of kirtan from Harmandir Sahib. They did that without consulting any Sikh organisations or the SGPC. At that time, many were happy that broadcasting rights were being made public. I held a press conference in Chandigarh then and warned that this is a very dangerous precedent. It's a very dangerous tradition they are trying to establish, and they are doing it intentionally to make the SGPC redundant and eliminate it entirely. This is Bhagwant Mann's aim." Phoolka said, "Now, another attempt is being made. Again, without informing anyone or consulting the SGPC, they are trying to amend the 2008 Jagat Jyot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act to sideline the SGPC and take total control. Bhagwant Mann has been trying this for a long time. My request to everyone is not to let their attempts succeed. Oppose this vigorously. Let them handle the sacrilege law and increase punishments--desecration should carry at least 10 years or even life imprisonment. But regarding this other act, we don't know what they're changing or who's doing it. Amending it without consultation is unacceptable; it is a total violation of the 1959 Nehru-Master Tara Singh pact." He emphasised that Bhagwant Mann's intentions have consistently been against the SGPC and Amritdhari Sikhs. "Forgive me, but Bhagwant Mann's views have been different from the start. He has been against the SGPC from the beginning, not just against the Badal group, but the SGPC itself. He has consistently spoken against Amritdhari Sikhs. You can look at old videos where he mocks those who carry kirpans, questioning if they are 'more' Sikh than others. He has been anti-Amritdhari from the start. His current intentions are completely different. This is a massive attack on the Sikh religion. Therefore, I want to caution and warn everyone: do not let these motives succeed," Phoolka said. Phoolka clarified that these are his personal views, although he has joined the BJP. He stressed, "This is an issue I have been committed to since the beginning. We will uphold the Nehru-Master Tara Singh pact firmly. We will not allow any government to interfere in Sikh religious affairs, and that is what I am standing for." He further elaborated on his past work for Sikh rights, saying, "I worked hard to ensure that under the SGPC Act, only Kesadhari (unshorn) Sikhs have voting rights. I stand by that today. It was brought during the Vajpayee government's time, when the Akali Dal was an ally. We made every effort then, and my stance remains the same. Secondly, regarding reserved seats for Sikhs, only Kesadhari Sikhs should have the right to reservation. I represented that case, and I still stand by it. The right to Sikh reservation belongs to those who are fully unshorn." Phoolka urged all Sikhs, irrespective of political affiliation, to remember the Nehru-Master Tara Singh pact and ensure it is not violated. He warned the people of Punjab not to fall into the government's trap regarding the SGPC Act amendments. "Do not fall into Bhagwant Mann's trap. Regarding the Jagat Jyot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2008, oppose every amendment unless it has prior approval from the SGPC," he said. (ANI)
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 19 (ANI): With the Maharashtra elections approaching, wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana's Julana, Vinesh Phogat, held a roadshow in Pune to support Congress candidate Datta Bahirat from the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. She urged voters to ensure a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticising the Mahayuti government for "injustice" by toppling the government elected by the people. "Everything is going well... If people shower their blessings on us on the 20th, we will win with a bigger margin this time. I appeal to voters to respond to ...Read More >
Shariq MajeedLudhiana: The Congress, on Thursday, claimed that a large section of Ludhiana's legal fraternity had come out in support of party's bypoll candidate, Bharat Bhushan Ashu during a special meeting held on Wednesday. Reiterating their support for Ashu, senior advocate Rajiv Kaushal described him as a "symbol of courage in the face of political vendetta." "Ashu's unwavering commitment to public service and his clean record have earned him the respect of the legal fraternity," he said. Ac ...Read More >
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Amritsar (Punjab) December 04 (ANI): The major mishap took place while the SAD President was serving his religious penance on 'day 2' at Golden Temple. Clad in blue 'sewadar' uniform, Badal was sitting at the entrance of the Temple with a plaque card around his neck. Suddenly an unidentified man fired at Sukhbir Badal; people standing around him quickly overpowered the shooter. The shooter was later identified as Narayan Singh Chaura by the Punjab Police and further investigation underway. Notably, Badal was declared 'tankhaiya' in August by Akal Takht, which announced religious punishment for ...Read More >
Gurdaspur (Punjab) [India], December 4 (ANI): Jasmeet Kaur, wife of Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate Sukhbir Singh Badal, condemned her husband's actions on Wednesday. She stated that her husband had informed her he was attending a "death anniversary programme" in Amritsar. "I didn't know what had happened until reporters came knocking at my door. Earlier, he had been lodged in jails in Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Gurdaspur," Kaur told reporters. "I don't think what he did was right," Kaur added. Narain Singh Chaura opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh ...Read More >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Chandigarh [India], December 3 (ANI): Punjab Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Tuesday, slammed the BJP-led central government for neglecting the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana. Bajwa's scathing attack comes amidst growing discontent among farmers in the region, who feel their concerns have been ignored by the ruling party. "Ever since the BJP government has come to power, they have not taken a single decision that is in the interest of the farmers of India, especially the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. It is their fundamental rig ...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 >
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 12 (PTI) Tensions flared in the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday as BJP MLAs barged into Speaker U T Khader's chamber, expressing strong objections to his handling of the proceedings. The confrontation came amidst heated debates over the recent police lathi charge on Panchamasali Lingayat protesters, with the ruling Congress and opposition BJP trading accusations. The issue arose when Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar, himself a leader of the Panchamasali Lingayat community, criticized the decision of previous BJP government to scrap the 4 per cent Muslim reservati ...Read More >
Amritsar, Dec 17 (PTI) Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Tuesday urged the Punjab government to take steps to bring back the bodies of Punjabis who were among 11 Indians who died in a restaurant in Georgia. Eleven Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri, the Indian mission had said on Monday. Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs had said the initial inspection found no signs of injury or violence. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police. The Indian mission in Tbilisi had said it was saddened to ...Read More >
New Delhi: The vandalism of B R Ambedkar's statue has put the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Punjab government under severe criticism. The incident saw a 33-foot statue of Ambedkar in Amritsar being defaced in daylight, using a hammer, on January 26, Republic Day, near a police station. This act of disrespect sparked a fierce backlash from political parties especially with the onset of the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. The BJP has fiercely criticized AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of showing disdain towards the Dalit community. BJP's Sambit Patra described the incident as "gut-wrenchin ...Read More >
Patiala (Punjab), Dec 3 (PTI) The Punjab government will launch a massive recruitment drive in the health and the education departments, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Tuesday and added that his dispensation had already provided about 50,000 jobs. Addressing a gathering while handing over appointment letters to new recruits, Mann said the state government was committed to provide ample opportunities for youngsters to excel. So far, around 50,000 government jobs have been provided to them, he said. Further new avenues will be opened for the youngsters to ensure that they become an acti ...Read More >
The Sena UBT chief spokesperson was reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's comment that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc. Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party was open to discuss if someone outside of the Congress party should lead the Opposition INDIA bloc. Speaking in New Delhi Delhi, Raut said that all the constituents of the INDIA bloc are willing to have a discuss ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jan 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Monday said that AAP National Convenor and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has completely lost his political ground in Delhi. Out of desperation and on seeing his imminent defeat, anarchist Kejriwal has now started maligning the Election Commission and the election process, he said, referring to an attempt by the AAP to create a controversy over its Patparganj candidate Avadh Ojha's vote from Greater Noida to Delhi. Sachdeva posed a question to Kejriwal: Avadh Ojha joined the AAP on December 2, and it was decid ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 27 (ANI): Delhi Police detained BJP workers and leaders who were protesting against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government regarding the vandalism of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Amritsar on Monday. The Delhi BJP, led by party chief Virendra Sachdeva, MP Yogender Chandolia, and national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam, protested against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government. This demonstration was in response to the vandalism of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Amritsar. Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 20 ...Read More >
Gandhinagar, Feb 4 (PTI) The BJP government in Gujarat on Tuesday formed a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to assess the need for the Uniform Civil Code in the state, and also draft a bill for the same. While the Opposition said the decision was aimed at diverting attention from pressing issues ahead of the upcoming local body polls, the government claimed rights of the tribal communities will be protected if the UCC is implemented. The five-member committee, to be headed by Justice (retd) Ranjana Desai, will submit its report within 45 days, following which a decision abou ...Read More >
Ludhiana, Jun 5 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Thursday asserted that there should be no "politicisation" of the armed forces, even as he accused the BJP of milking Operation Sindoor for political gains. "Such politics should not be done. I salute the armed forces. But there should be no politicisation of the army," he said. "Have you ever seen any former prime minister donning a military uniform....? But now the uniform is being used for political gains. It should not happen," he said. Armed forces fight for the country, and they have no connection with politics, he asserted. T ...Read More >
Kuldeep Singh Sengar is also serving a 10-year jail term in connection with the custodial death of the Unnao rape victim's father. Kuldeep Singh Sengar sought interim bail on the grounds that he was suffering from various ailments The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted a two-week interim bail on medical grounds to expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar who is serving life term for raping a minor in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao in 2017. A bench headed by Justice Prathiba M Singh suspended the sent ...Read More >
Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike enters its 17th day. His health is critical. The Supreme Court urges dialogue between the government and Dallewal. Dallewal demands MSP guarantee and other farmer-centric issues. He has written an open letter to the Prime Minister. Farmers' organizations continue their protests at the Punjab-Haryana border.The Supreme Court on Friday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jan 21 (VOICE) Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut and Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh's fates are intertwined through their films "Emergency" and 'Panjab 95" due to the chatter around both the movies. On Tuesday morning, Diljit took to Instagram, where he posted a note apologising that his film "Panjab 95", has once again faced a hiccup in its release in India. "We are very sorry and it pains us to inform you that the movie Panjab 95 will not release on 7th Feb due to circumstances beyond our control," he wrote. The movie, which is based on the life of prominent Sikh human rights act ...Read More >
Chandigarh: Campaigning for his party in Delhi, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP of trying to woo voters by distributing money and freebies. He said AAP, on the other hand, wins elections with public support. "The BJP leaders are shamelessly distributing money, saris, shoes and jackets, but the EC raids my residence, the Kapurthala House, in Delhi. They found nothing because we don't distribute money, we distribute love. And with this love, we win," Mann said. He led three roadshows in Kondli, Rohtas Nagar and Gokalpur, and addressed two public meetings in Badarpur. "Ther ...Read More >
Shinde accepts BJP's decision, likely to receive key ministries Shinde has agreed to BJP's decision to make a Chief Minister from its ranks. He is expected to be given important portfolios like Urban Development, Public Works Department, and Water Resources. Sources also say that two Deputy Chief Ministers will be appointed, one each from Shiv Sena and NCP. Pawar has told his party leaders that the swearing-in ceremony could take place this weekend. Despite initial resistance, Shinde announced his party's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's decision on the ...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 >
Chandigarh, Jan 2 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday claimed that the Centre was trying to"bring back" the now-repealed farm laws, referring to the newly announced draft of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing. The AAP-led Punjab government has termed the newly announced draft policy as an attempt to reintroduce the three central agricultural laws passed in 2020 "through backdoor." After a yearlong protest by farmers, the Centre had repealed the laws. Speaking to reporters here, Mann also stated that the demands of the protesting farmers pertain to the c ...Read More >
Baghpat (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 28 (ANI): Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has sought AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal's apology from the nation after BR Ambedkar's statue was vandalised in Punjab's Amritsar on January 26. A youth has vandalised the life-size statue of Ambedkar in Amritsar by climbing atop it and striking it with a hammer on Republic Day on Sunday. A video clip purportedly of the incident also went viral on social media. Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: A Day Before Mauni Amavasya Amrit Snan, 5 Crore Devotees Take Holy Dip in Triveni Sangam on January 28, Total Pilgrim ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >
Sohan Singh Thandal, a former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) minister now contesting as a BJP candidate for Chabbewal assembly, has faced backlash from his old party after posting videos on social media claiming SAD's support. Thandal shared clips featuring SAD leaders, including Jarnail Singh Baddon and Jasbir Singh Herrian, suggesting the party backed him. However, SAD's Hoshiarpur district president, Lakhwinder Singh Lakhi, swiftly denied these claims, labeling them false and clarifying that the party had no intention of supporting the BJP. Thandal, a four-time MLA, joined BJP recently and is co ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >
Belagavi, Dec 12 (UNI) The Karnataka BJP on Thursday accused the Congress state government of secretly relocating protesters injured during a lathi charge to prevent opposition leaders from meeting them. Speaking to reporters here, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said BJP leaders had planned to visit the injured protesters in hospital. However, the victims were moved to an undisclosed location. "This government is acting like Hitler by not allowing us to meet the injured. We don't even know where they have been taken," he said. The lathi charge occurred during a protest by the Panchamasal ...Read More >
Ludhiana: Even as police termed Rajiv Raja, a close aide of BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, minister of state for railways and food processing industries, as the main conspirator in the case of extortion of Rs 30 lakh from a local businessman, Bittu accused the police of harassing and implicating his aides by lodging FIRs against them. Police had arrested Rajiv Raja in the extortion case, in which another accused is a former employee of the victim. A police official, requesting anonymity, said that while probing the extortion complaint, police initially arrested two persons, Sarhas Mudanwal a ...Read More >