Uttar Pradesh

In response to protests from aspirants, the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has agreed to conduct the PCS Preliminary Examination 2024 in a single shift. This decision follows intervention by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who directed the commission to address the concerns of students. However, protesters have vowed to continue their agitation until the UP government agrees to hold the RO/ARO exam in a single shift as well. The move comes after concerns over paper leaks and varying difficulty levels in exams held across multiple shifts.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday slammed the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of being a "Production House of Dangai (rioters) and Apradhi (criminals)." Speaking at a rally in Ambedkar Nagar ahead of the November 20 bypolls, Adityanath redefined the SP's coined term ‘PDA’ (Pichhde, Dalits, and Alpsakhyak) to highlight the party’s alleged links with criminals and mafia. He also called SP chief Akhilesh Yadav the "CEO" of this criminal network, while Shivpal Yadav was referred to as the "trainer." Adityanath further criticized the SP for its involvement in criminal activities across the state, pointing to notorious figures like Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari as products of the party's "production house." The remarks come as nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh are set for bypolls, with both the BJP and SP vying for key constituencies.

The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act of 2004, providing relief to around 17 lakh students in over 16,000 madrasas across the state. The Act, which regulates the functioning of madrasas and ensures the inclusion of secular subjects alongside religious education, had been challenged by the Allahabad High Court on grounds of secularism violations. The Supreme Court's ruling overturns the High Court's decision and supports the continuation of the law, which includes provisions for curriculum development, examinations, and certification from the state’s Madarsa Education Board. The decision also impacts over 21,000 teachers employed in these madrasas, who provide education in subjects like Science, Math, and English to students.

Ayodhya is gearing up for a grand three-day Diwali festival with extensive security measures in place. Over 5,000 police officers and 150 commandos from elite units have been deployed at key locations, including Ram Mandir and Saryu Ghat. The city has transformed for the celebrations, featuring a command and control center for real-time monitoring and restricted access to certain areas. This year, Ayodhya will shine with an astonishing 2.8 million lamps, as it aims to secure a spot in the Guinness World Records for the seventh consecutive time. Streets, alleys, and temples will be adorned with festive decorations, creating a breathtaking atmosphere to welcome Lord Ram. The local administration is committed to ensuring a safe and memorable experience for all attendees.

On October 27, 2024, at least ten major hotels in Lucknow received bomb threats via email, prompting police to conduct extensive search operations. An anonymous sender demanded a ransom of $55,000, claiming explosives were hidden on the hotels' grounds. The hotels targeted include Comfort Hotel Vista, Clarks Awadh, and Lemon Tree Hotel, among others. Hotel management quickly informed law enforcement, and investigations are ongoing. This incident follows similar threats issued to hotels in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, just days prior, raising concerns about security in the hospitality sector.

A tragic incident unfolded in Bulandshahr's Ashapuri Colony on Monday night when a cylinder explosion caused the roof of a house to collapse, resulting in the deaths of five family members. Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears that more individuals, including women and children, may be trapped under the debris. Local police, fire brigade teams, and community volunteers are working together at the site, while senior officials oversee the efforts to expedite the rescue. District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh has emphasized the urgency of the situation as recovery efforts continue.

Two accused in the Bahraich violence during a Durga Puja procession were shot in an encounter while attempting to flee to Nepal, police reported. Sarfaraz and Taleem are linked to the murder of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra on October 13. The encounter occurred near Handa Basehri, and both suspects suffered leg injuries. Bahraich SP Vrinda Shukla confirmed that five individuals were arrested following the encounter and that the weapon used in the incident was recovered. The violence erupted over disputes during the procession, leading to Mishra's death and multiple injuries. The unrest has resulted in over 50 arrests so far. Rukhsar, daughter of the primary suspect Abdul Hameed, expressed fears for her family’s safety after their detention by the UP Special Task Force. The incident has drawn criticism from opposition parties, including Congress and the Samajwadi Party, who accused the government of trying to cover up its failures in maintaining law and order.

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has postponed the UPPSC PCS examination originally scheduled for October 27, 2024. The preliminary exam is now tentatively set for December 2024, with the specific date to be announced soon on the official website, uppsc.up.nic.in. This marks the second rescheduling of the exam this year, as it was previously set for March 17, 2024, but delayed due to concerns over potential paper leaks. Candidates have started protesting the postponement, and the official notification is available on the UPPSC website. The preliminary examination will consist of two compulsory papers, with Paper II being a qualifying exam requiring a minimum score of 33%. Candidates must attend both papers to avoid disqualification. Further details will be shared soon.

The Uttar Pradesh police detained a tandoor worker and the owner of a local eatery after complaints emerged about the worker allegedly spitting on rotis before baking them. The arrests followed a viral video shared by Bajrang Dal that purportedly captured the incident. Superintendent of Police, City, Abhimanyu Manglik, stated that the accused are under interrogation, with further actions pending investigation. This incident is part of a broader concern in Uttar Pradesh, where similar cases of food contamination have been reported. In response, the UP government plans to introduce new laws targeting sellers who mix harmful substances into food. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described these incidents as "horrific" and emphasized the need for strict regulations and increased surveillance in food establishments to ensure consumer safety.

A tragic incident unfolded outside the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha in Lucknow when a young man named Munna Vishwakarma attempted suicide by setting himself on fire. Residing in the Sahadatganj area, he alleged police inaction regarding his grievances, claiming he had been assaulted by officers and that his complaints had been ignored. Despite the quick response of bystanders and police, who rushed him to the hospital, he remains in critical condition.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding priest Yati Narsinghanand's derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad, stating that disrespectful comments against saints and religious figures of any faith are unacceptable and will be punished. Emphasizing the importance of mutual respect among all faiths, he warned that individuals tampering with religious sentiments will face legal action. Adityanath made these remarks during a review of law and order preparations ahead of upcoming festivals, asserting that anarchy and vandalism will not be tolerated. Narsinghanand has sparked outrage with his comments, leading to an FIR against him, while various political parties have called for his immediate arrest. The Chief Minister directed police to ensure peaceful celebrations during the festivals and take strict action against anti-social elements.

Seven peacocks, including one female, were found dead in a field in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, with suspected poisoning being the cause. The bodies were discovered near a culvert in Bhikkawale village on Saturday evening. Divisional Forest Officer Gyan Singh noted that while the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report, initial indications point to poisoning. A case has been filed against unidentified individuals, and a sub-divisional officer has been assigned to investigate the matter, with further details pending the post-mortem findings.