Second Batch of 119 Deportees from the US to Arrive in Amritsar Amidst Controversy
A second batch of 119 deported individuals, including 67 Punjabis, will arrive in Amritsar on Saturday night as part of a US deportation drive targeting illegal immigrants. This follows the arrival of 104 deportees earlier this month. The flight will carry people from various Indian states, with most from Punjab. The deportation, part of a broader crackdown under the Trump administration, focuses on those who entered the US illegally or overstayed their visas. The initiative has sparked controversy, especially in Punjab, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the choice of Amritsar as the landing site, calling it a move to defame the state.
Omar Abdullah praises PM Modi for fulfilling election promise, appeals for statehood restoration
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fulfilling his promise to hold elections in the Union Territory, following his participation in the International Yoga Day event in Srinagar. He also reiterated PM Modi's commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, expressing confidence that this promise would soon be realized. Abdullah highlighted the positive developments in remote areas like Machil, Gurez, and Karnah, thanks to efforts towards peace along the borders. Additionally, the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel was celebrated as a significant step in enhancing year-round connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist resort.
Legendary Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passes Away at 73
Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, aged 73, passed away on December 15, 2024, in a San Francisco hospital after battling serious health issues. Known for his groundbreaking fusion of Indian classical music with global genres, Hussain’s passing marks the end of an era in rhythm and melody. A recipient of India's highest honors, including the Padma Vibhushan, he was recently awarded three Grammy Awards, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential percussionists in the world.
Clashes Erupt at JNU as Posters of ‘Sabarmati’ Film Torn, Stones Thrown, Several Injured
Tensions erupted at JNU after a stone pelting incident during the screening of The Sabarmati Report at Sabarmati Dhaba. The ABVP condemned the attack as an assault on freedom of expression, accusing certain "anti-Bharat, anti-Hindu forces" on campus of stifling important discussions. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also condemned the attack, criticizing the hypocrisy of those advocating for free speech while resorting to violence. JNU students defended the screening, claiming it was an effort to present alternative viewpoints beyond the dominant liberal agenda. The incident has intensified ideological divides at the university.
SC Puts Brakes on ‘Temple Beneath Mosque’ Surveys, Prepares for Legal Clash Over Places of Worship Act
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that no new lawsuits or pleas seeking surveys of mosques to determine if temples exist beneath them should be entertained, while also halting proceedings in ongoing cases. This comes as the court examines petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which preserves the religious character of places of worship as they stood at the time of India’s Independence. The law, however, has been contested by petitioners who argue it infringes upon the rights of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs to reclaim worship sites they believe were destroyed during historical invasions. The court’s intervention aims to prevent further communal tensions while it reviews the constitutional validity of the Act.
