Uttar Pradesh

In a dramatic turn of events in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, a groom became an unlikely hero when he chased down a thief who snatched a currency note from his wedding garland. After the theft, Dev Kumar, still dressed in his wedding attire, pursued the thief in a pickup truck. Clinging to the moving vehicle, he eventually forced it to stop and confronted the thief. The incident, captured in a viral video, saw the groom’s relatives join in, resulting in a roadside altercation. The situation de-escalated after the thief apologized, and the groom relented.

The recent survey of Jama Masjid in Sambhal, ordered by a civil judge, has led to widespread violence, resulting in the loss of five lives. Muslim organizations have condemned the survey, criticizing the court for not consulting the mosque committee beforehand. They also raised concerns about provocative actions by individuals accompanying the survey team, which escalated communal tensions. Leaders like Malik Moatasim Khan and Mahmood Madani have called for a judicial inquiry into the incident, demanding accountability for the police action that led to the deaths of protesters. The groups also emphasized the need to uphold the Places of Worship Act of 1991 to protect religious sites.

Violence erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several others, including police officers. In response to the unrest, the district administration ordered a 24-hour internet shutdown and closed schools in the Sambhal Tehsil area. The clash began when a survey team, following court orders, arrived at the mosque, leading to stone-pelting and violent confrontations with police. A magisterial inquiry has been launched, and over 15 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Tensions flared on Sunday morning during the second court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid mosque in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. As officers conducted the survey, a mob threw stones at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and lathi charges to restore order. Miscreants also set vehicles on fire. The survey, which was conducted in response to a petition claiming the mosque was built on the ruins of the Harihar temple, was completed safely. Authorities vowed to identify and take action against those responsible for the violence, while political parties criticized the government’s handling of the situation.

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved plans for grand roadshows in major cities across India and internationally to promote the 2025 Mahakumbh. These roadshows will be held in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, as well as in countries such as Nepal, Thailand, and Indonesia. The initiative aims to raise global awareness and encourage participation in the event, scheduled to take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025. In addition, the government has sanctioned the purchase of 220 new vehicles to support the event's logistics.