<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-quote-from-hindi-film-song-supreme-court-allows-passive-euthanasia-35235" target="_blank">With </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-quote-from-hindi-film-song-supreme-court-allows-passive-euthanasia-35235" target="_blank">quote</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-quote-from-hindi-film-song-supreme-court-allows-passive-euthanasia-35235" target="_blank"> from Hindi film song, Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia</a></p>

<p>The Indian Supreme Court on Friday&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-approves-passive-euthanasia-35189" target="_blank">recognised the right to passive euthanasia</a>for the terminally ill.&nbsp; The decision was taken by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-passes-bill-giving-death-penalty-to-rapists-of-girls-below-12-years-35231" target="_blank">Rajasthan passes </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-passes-bill-giving-death-penalty-to-rapists-of-girls-below-12-years-35231" target="_blank">bill</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-passes-bill-giving-death-penalty-to-rapists-of-girls-below-12-years-35231" target="_blank"> providing for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-passes-bill-giving-death-penalty-to-rapists-of-girls-below-12-years-35231" target="_blank">death</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-passes-bill-giving-death-penalty-to-rapists-of-girls-below-12-years-35231" target="_blank"> penalty to rapists of girls under 12</a></p>

<p>Rajasthan home minister GC Kataria said the government had made two amendments in the case -- adding life sentence and life imprisonment for convicts in offences against girls below 12 years of age and making a provision that a convict can&#39;t leave prison for life even after completing 14 years in jail.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/parag-agrawal-iit-alumnus-is-twitters-new-cto-35224" target="_blank">Parag Agrawal, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/parag-agrawal-iit-alumnus-is-twitters-new-cto-35224" target="_blank">IIT</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/parag-agrawal-iit-alumnus-is-twitters-new-cto-35224" target="_blank"> alumnus, is Twitter&#39;s new CTO</a></p>

<p>Microblogging platform Twitter has appointed &nbsp;IIT-Bombay alumnus Parag Agrawal as its chief technology officer (CTO), an update on the company&#39;s website said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-surprised-at-north-koreas-offer-of-talks-rex-tillerson-35238" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-surprised-at-north-koreas-offer-of-talks-rex-tillerson-35238" target="_blank">&nbsp;surprised at North Korea&#39;s offer of talks: Rex Tillerson</a></p>

<p>Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday said Washington had been surprised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s willingness to hold direct talks with the US on the nuclear standoff in the Korean peninsula.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-govt-making-efforts-to-mainstream-hafiz-saeed-and-his-system-mea-raveesh-kumar-35239" target="_blank">Pak govt making efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system: India&#39;s MEA</a></p>

<p>The Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar has said that Pakistan is trying to make efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system as a political party.</p>


With quote from Hindi film song, Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia The Indian Supreme Court on Friday recognised the right to passive euthanasiafor the terminally ill. The decision was taken by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Rajasthan passes bill providing for death penalty to rapists of girls under 12 Rajasthan home minister GC Kataria said the government had made two amendments in the case -- adding life sentence and life imprisonment for convicts in offences against girls below 12 years of age and making a provision that a convict can't leave prison for life even after completing 14 years in jail. Parag Agrawal, IIT alumnus, is Twitter's new CTO Microblogging platform Twitter has appointed IIT-Bombay alumnus Parag Agrawal as its chief technology officer (CTO), an update on the company's website said. US surprised at North Korea's offer of talks: Rex Tillerson Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday said Washington had been surprised by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's willingness to hold direct talks with the US on the nuclear standoff in the Korean peninsula. Pak govt making efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system: India's MEA The Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar has said that Pakistan is trying to make efforts to mainstream Hafiz Saeed and his system as a political party.

WION Evening News brief, March 9, 2018

<p>At Mamoni village in Rajasthan&#39;s Baran district, preparations for Holi begin days in advance, and with lots of anticipation. The celebration itself lasts for as long as a week in March, usually at the time of the full moon. For people of the village, this religious festival is a time to express gratitude to god and nature before the harvest season sets in. Baran is among the poorest districts of Rajasthan.</p>

<p>The night before Holi, a fire is lit to symbolise, the legend says, the burning of Holika. Wheat stalks are roasted on the fire. In earlier times, villagers greeted each other by smearing rakh or ash on their faces the following day. As time passed, people replaced ash with coloured powder, which is now used everywhere in the country to celebrate this festival.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Holi may have a strong religious significance but for the farming community, the festival is the harbinger of spring and the harvest season. Among other things, it brings joy and hope.</p>

<p>Sita Mehta, a farmer from Mamoni, has made miniature buffaloes out of cow dung to pay homage to the gods that have kept her and her family, and their cattle, safe. The installation comprises a large buffalo, smaller ones drinking at a water source, and grass as their food. There is also a small replica of Lord Krishna.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Sita Mehta, a farmer from Mamoni, has made miniature buffaloes out of cow dung to pay homage to the gods . (Others)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Baran is home to the Sahariya tribe, one of the most deprived communities in Rajasthan. The Sahariyas originally settled in the forests of what is now eastern Rajasthan (then in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh). The elders of the community remember the time when their grandfathers foraged in the jungles. Things changed, they said, when people from other states came to grab their land and shunted the inhabitants from their own home. The forests now belong to the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sahariyas never practiced agriculture, always living in and caring for the forests. This community had invaluable knowledge about medicinal and edible plants, and kept their own cultural practices alive. But when the Sardar, Jat, and other powerful communities moved to the areas, they enforced their norms and practices of farming as a way to keep the Sahariyas powerless.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gradually, the governments cut down the jungles under the Indian Forests Act (of 1927) to make more room for conventional farms, and the Sahariyas found themselves being used as cheap or free labour for the new landowners. Without any access to the jungles, the Sahariyas lost many of their traditions and social systems. Most of their old food sources also disappeared. The situation is grim in areas like Kishanjangh taluka, where cash debts are being held over the Sahariyas as leveraged threats. The Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act of 1976 does not seem to protect the community.&nbsp;</p>

<p>I spent the Holi harvest festival with the Sahariyas, who have been working as bonded labourers for powerful farming landholders for decades. During the week-long festivities, the community gathers together every evening to sing and perform in plays. The first day of the festival is dedicated to food, family and prayer.</p>

<p>The festival is not complete until the elders make a small pilgrimage to a nearby temple that was built in praise of Lord Hanuman and a local saint, Siddh Baba. The elders of the community pray for the safety of their homes and a good harvest. Earlier, all the men would join the elders and head to the temple together, singing along the way and praying all day long. Today, they lament that the number of people visiting the temple has been dwindling over the years, and are worried that traditions will be lost with the coming generations.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>A lady farmer from Sahariya. (Others)</p>
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<p>Devilal Sahariya, a senior member of the community, is a farmer and folk musician, who sings and play the drums along with others. He has been fighting a losing battle to hold on to his land. &ldquo;The courts and the government have been asking us to provide proof that the land has been ours for the last three generations. How can we prove that with a written document? Can jungles be owned?&rdquo; The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 sought to reverse the colonial notion of the State as owner of the forests. But getting the forest administration and bureaucracy to follow it on the ground hasn&rsquo;t been easy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Meenal Tatpati, a member of the non-governmental organisation, Kalpavriksh, &ldquo;The FRA attempts to undo the historical injustice towards communities like the Sahariyas by seeking to recognise the rights of the local communities over forest land. It allows for the land claimed to be free of all previous encumbrances and procedural requirements, including leases under any state or central government law.&quot;</p>

<p>However, she says, during the initial years of the FRA&#39;s implementation in Rajasthan, communities were asked to provide signatures of several officials, including the forest department, to corroborate their claims. &quot;The officials do not exercise control over the local processes, but instead assume that the forest department will take responsibility. For the communities to file claims over their land, and then to exercise control over it, there needs to be an empathetic approach towards them, which seems to be missing in officials. There is a need for the state government to take urgent action to expedite the processes under FRA and help communities like these to secure their land &ndash; the source of their livelihood.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The government had allotted Devilalji 20 bighas (or 10 acres of land) under a state government scheme, but presently he only has access to 12 bighas. The rest of the land is under the control of someone else, a member of an upper caste. Although the government allotted him the land, he said, he has no document to prove it. &ldquo;We can eat the food we grow on our land, but we have no say on what happens to the rest, where it goes or for how much,&quot; Devilalji adds, &quot;We don&rsquo;t want our children to have the same fate as us.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>People from local organisations believe that the Sahariyas are perceived as weak because they do not use force to affirm their rights on the land. For decades, the villagers have been exploited and have been living in perpetual fear that their land or homes might be snatched away from them. The Sahariya community first came to the attention of activists because of a the prevalence of acute hunger in the district around 2002. Children of the community were malnourished and dying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Devilal says NGOs have been providing support to the community in taking legal action for their land rights, but their efforts have not been too successful. Others in the community recount similar stories. At the end of our meeting, Devilal insists that I go back to his home the following day to celebrate Holi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People from local organisations believe that the Sahariyas are perceived as weak because they do not use force to affirm their rights on the land. For decades, the villagers have been exploited and have been living in perpetual fear that their land or homes might be snatched away from them. The Sahariya community first came to the attention of activists because of a the prevalence of acute hunger in the district around 2002. Children of the community were malnourished and dying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Devilal says NGOs have been providing support to the community in taking legal action for their land rights, but their efforts have not been too successful. Others in the community recount similar stories. At the end of our meeting, Devilal insists that I go back to his home the following day to celebrate Holi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The next day, everyone is all set to play with colour. Joy envelops the community and children see it as an excuse to be at their naughtiest. The elders say that the celebrations have got more aggressive with time. For them, Holi still remains a way to give thanks before the harvest.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Sahariyas&rsquo; future remains uncertain. Planning for their children&rsquo;s future is getting increasingly difficult with no access to their land or proof to show it is theirs. &#39;Achhe din&#39; have not reached the people of Baran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The term &#39;Holi&#39; comes from &#39;Holika&#39; &nbsp;&ndash; according to legend, , the name of the evil sister of the demon king, Hiranyakashap. He was the all-powerful king of Multan, and a devotee of Lord Vishnu, who granted him a special boon as reward for his devotion. But his special powers made him arrogant. He regarded himself as god, and made all those in his kingdom regard him in the same way. But his own son Prahlada remained devoted only to Lord Vishnu. In rage, the king subjected his son to cruel punishments, but &nbsp;Prahlada did not change his mind. Finally, the story goes, Holika, Prahlada&rsquo;s aunt, tricked him into sitting on a wood pyre with her, while she wore a fireproof shawl. However, when the fire started, the shawl flew away from Holika and got wrapped around Prahalda, and she was killed. Lord Vishnu then appeared and killed King Hiranyakashipu. The next morning, people from the kingdom took ash from the fire and applied it to their foreheads, as a way to remember that good triumphed over evil.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Special thanks to: the Sahariya community; Kapil Jain; Raju Mehta ; Vishal Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This <a href="rel=" nofollow="">article</a> was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://ruralindiaonline.org/">People&#39;s Archive of Rural India</a>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Baran is among the poorest districts of Rajasthan, which celebrates Holi festival as to express gratitude to god and nature before the harvest season sets in.

At Mamoni village in Rajasthan's Baran district, preparations for Holi begin days in advance, and with lots of anticipation. The celebration itself lasts for as long as a week in March, usually at the time of the full moon. For people of the village, this religious festival is a time to express gratitude to god and nature before the harvest season sets in. Baran is among the poorest districts of Rajasthan. The night before Holi, a fire is lit to symbolise, the legend says, the burning of Holika. Wheat stalks are roasted on the fire. In earlier times, villagers greeted each other by smearing rakh or ash on their faces the following day. As time passed, people replaced ash with coloured powder, which is now used everywhere in the country to celebrate this festival. Holi may have a strong religious significance but for the farming community, the festival is the harbinger of spring and the harvest season. Among other things, it brings joy and hope. Sita Mehta, a farmer from Mamoni, has made miniature buffaloes out of cow dung to pay homage to the gods that have kept her and her family, and their cattle, safe. The installation comprises a large buffalo, smaller ones drinking at a water source, and grass as their food. There is also a small replica of Lord Krishna. Sita Mehta, a farmer from Mamoni, has made miniature buffaloes out of cow dung to pay homage to the gods . (Others) × Baran is home to the Sahariya tribe, one of the most deprived communities in Rajasthan. The Sahariyas originally settled in the forests of what is now eastern Rajasthan (then in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh). The elders of the community remember the time when their grandfathers foraged in the jungles. Things changed, they said, when people from other states came to grab their land and shunted the inhabitants from their own home. The forests now belong to the government. The Sahariyas never practiced agriculture, always living in and caring for the forests. This community had invaluable knowledge about medicinal and edible plants, and kept their own cultural practices alive. But when the Sardar, Jat, and other powerful communities moved to the areas, they enforced their norms and practices of farming as a way to keep the Sahariyas powerless. Gradually, the governments cut down the jungles under the Indian Forests Act (of 1927) to make more room for conventional farms, and the Sahariyas found themselves being used as cheap or free labour for the new landowners. Without any access to the jungles, the Sahariyas lost many of their traditions and social systems. Most of their old food sources also disappeared. The situation is grim in areas like Kishanjangh taluka, where cash debts are being held over the Sahariyas as leveraged threats. The Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act of 1976 does not seem to protect the community. I spent the Holi harvest festival with the Sahariyas, who have been working as bonded labourers for powerful farming landholders for decades. During the week-long festivities, the community gathers together every evening to sing and perform in plays. The first day of the festival is dedicated to food, family and prayer. The festival is not complete until the elders make a small pilgrimage to a nearby temple that was built in praise of Lord Hanuman and a local saint, Siddh Baba. The elders of the community pray for the safety of their homes and a good harvest. Earlier, all the men would join the elders and head to the temple together, singing along the way and praying all day long. Today, they lament that the number of people visiting the temple has been dwindling over the years, and are worried that traditions will be lost with the coming generations. A lady farmer from Sahariya. (Others) × Devilal Sahariya, a senior member of the community, is a farmer and folk musician, who sings and play the drums along with others. He has been fighting a losing battle to hold on to his land. “The courts and the government have been asking us to provide proof that the land has been ours for the last three generations. How can we prove that with a written document? Can jungles be owned?” The Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 sought to reverse the colonial notion of the State as owner of the forests. But getting the forest administration and bureaucracy to follow it on the ground hasn’t been easy. According to Meenal Tatpati, a member of the non-governmental organisation, Kalpavriksh, “The FRA attempts to undo the historical injustice towards communities like the Sahariyas by seeking to recognise the rights of the local communities over forest land. It allows for the land claimed to be free of all previous encumbrances and procedural requirements, including leases under any state or central government law." However, she says, during the initial years of the FRA's implementation in Rajasthan, communities were asked to provide signatures of several officials, including the forest department, to corroborate their claims. "The officials do not exercise control over the local processes, but instead assume that the forest department will take responsibility. For the communities to file claims over their land, and then to exercise control over it, there needs to be an empathetic approach towards them, which seems to be missing in officials. There is a need for the state government to take urgent action to expedite the processes under FRA and help communities like these to secure their land – the source of their livelihood.” The government had allotted Devilalji 20 bighas (or 10 acres of land) under a state government scheme, but presently he only has access to 12 bighas. The rest of the land is under the control of someone else, a member of an upper caste. Although the government allotted him the land, he said, he has no document to prove it. “We can eat the food we grow on our land, but we have no say on what happens to the rest, where it goes or for how much," Devilalji adds, "We don’t want our children to have the same fate as us.” People from local organisations believe that the Sahariyas are perceived as weak because they do not use force to affirm their rights on the land. For decades, the villagers have been exploited and have been living in perpetual fear that their land or homes might be snatched away from them. The Sahariya community first came to the attention of activists because of a the prevalence of acute hunger in the district around 2002. Children of the community were malnourished and dying. Devilal says NGOs have been providing support to the community in taking legal action for their land rights, but their efforts have not been too successful. Others in the community recount similar stories. At the end of our meeting, Devilal insists that I go back to his home the following day to celebrate Holi. People from local organisations believe that the Sahariyas are perceived as weak because they do not use force to affirm their rights on the land. For decades, the villagers have been exploited and have been living in perpetual fear that their land or homes might be snatched away from them. The Sahariya community first came to the attention of activists because of a the prevalence of acute hunger in the district around 2002. Children of the community were malnourished and dying. Devilal says NGOs have been providing support to the community in taking legal action for their land rights, but their efforts have not been too successful. Others in the community recount similar stories. At the end of our meeting, Devilal insists that I go back to his home the following day to celebrate Holi. The next day, everyone is all set to play with colour. Joy envelops the community and children see it as an excuse to be at their naughtiest. The elders say that the celebrations have got more aggressive with time. For them, Holi still remains a way to give thanks before the harvest. Meanwhile, the Sahariyas’ future remains uncertain. Planning for their children’s future is getting increasingly difficult with no access to their land or proof to show it is theirs. 'Achhe din' have not reached the people of Baran. The term 'Holi' comes from 'Holika' – according to legend, , the name of the evil sister of the demon king, Hiranyakashap. He was the all-powerful king of Multan, and a devotee of Lord Vishnu, who granted him a special boon as reward for his devotion. But his special powers made him arrogant. He regarded himself as god, and made all those in his kingdom regard him in the same way. But his own son Prahlada remained devoted only to Lord Vishnu. In rage, the king subjected his son to cruel punishments, but Prahlada did not change his mind. Finally, the story goes, Holika, Prahlada’s aunt, tricked him into sitting on a wood pyre with her, while she wore a fireproof shawl. However, when the fire started, the shawl flew away from Holika and got wrapped around Prahalda, and she was killed. Lord Vishnu then appeared and killed King Hiranyakashipu. The next morning, people from the kingdom took ash from the fire and applied it to their foreheads, as a way to remember that good triumphed over evil. Special thanks to: the Sahariya community; Kapil Jain; Raju Mehta ; Vishal Singh. This article was originally published in People's Archive of Rural India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Despite the struggle, Sahariya celebrates Holi with same enthusiasm

<p>The average temperatures from March to May across North India are likely to be above normal by more than one degree Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its seasonal forecast on Wednesday.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The MeT office, in a statement, said average temperatures in Delhi, along with neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, can soar over 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal levels. It projected a maximum rise of more than 2.3 degrees higher than usual temperatures in hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>Met office further projected that the average temperatures from March to May across half the country are likely to be above normal by more than 1 degree Celsius.</p>

<p>The temperature rise is likely to be moderate in south India and four north-eastern states.</p>

<p>India normally experiences hot weather and heat wave conditions during March to July period.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the seasonal forecast, there is about 52 per cent probability that maximum temperatures in the core heat wave zone during the period of March to May will touch their peak &mdash; pointing to a high likelihood of heat waves.</p>

<p>This zone includes Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and coastal Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>The forecast projects higher than normal temperature across India.</p>

<p>The seasonal average maximum temperature is likely to be warmer than normal by 1&deg;C over these states (heat wave zone) whereas it is likely to be 0.5&deg;C over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Remaining subdivisions are likely to experience maximum temperature anomalies between 0.5&deg;C and 1&deg;C.</p>

<p>IMD says the regions where the temperature rise is likely to be moderate are south India and four north-eastern states. The outlook shows that the seasonal average mean temperature in Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema and north-eastern states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura is&nbsp;likely to be less than 0.5 degree Celsius above normal.</p>


India normally experiences hot weather and heat wave conditions during March to July period

The average temperatures from March to May across North India are likely to be above normal by more than one degree Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its seasonal forecast on Wednesday. × The MeT office, in a statement, said average temperatures in Delhi, along with neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, can soar over 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal levels. It projected a maximum rise of more than 2.3 degrees higher than usual temperatures in hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Met office further projected that the average temperatures from March to May across half the country are likely to be above normal by more than 1 degree Celsius. The temperature rise is likely to be moderate in south India and four north-eastern states. India normally experiences hot weather and heat wave conditions during March to July period. As per the seasonal forecast, there is about 52 per cent probability that maximum temperatures in the core heat wave zone during the period of March to May will touch their peak — pointing to a high likelihood of heat waves. This zone includes Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The forecast projects higher than normal temperature across India. The seasonal average maximum temperature is likely to be warmer than normal by 1°C over these states (heat wave zone) whereas it is likely to be 0.5°C over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema. Remaining subdivisions are likely to experience maximum temperature anomalies between 0.5°C and 1°C. IMD says the regions where the temperature rise is likely to be moderate are south India and four north-eastern states. The outlook shows that the seasonal average mean temperature in Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka, Rayalaseema and north-eastern states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura is likely to be less than 0.5 degree Celsius above normal.

Average temperature in North India to be above normal from March-May

<p>Saif Ali Khan is currently shooting for&nbsp;Navdeep Singh&#39;s upcoming film in Rajasthan and he&nbsp;looks completely unrecognisable in first photos shared of his character.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sporting long hair tied with an orange bandana and beard, Saif was spotted wearing a red shirt paired with a white coloured dhoti and pointed boots on the set.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfsBDlLnhlr/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#saifalikhan new look for film #kaaptan</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/viralbhayani/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Viral Bhayani</a> (@viralbhayani) on <time datetime="2018-02-27T05:05:16+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Feb 26, 2018 at 9:05pm PST</time></p>
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<p>Reportedly titled Kaaptan, the film also stars&nbsp;R Madhavan and Sonakshi Sinha in important roles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As reported in leading daily,&nbsp;&quot;Saif has been shooting in a village called Desuri in Rajasthan (that is two hours away from Udaipur) for the yet-untitled Navdeep Singh film, which also stars R Madhavan and Sonakshi Sinha in key roles. As he is stationed in Udaipur, Bebo decided to pay him a visit with Taimur in tow. They will zoom off to different places as they love to travel.&quot;</p>

<p>In another update, Saif will also be seen in a Netflix original web series titled<em> Sacred Games</em> along with&nbsp;actors&nbsp;Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte in pivotal roles. It is being helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-sacred-games-first-look-saif-ali-khans-debut-web-series-has-got-us-intrigued-33787" target="_blank">first look</a> of the series was released recently, in which, Saif Ali Khan can be seen donning a&nbsp;Sardar cop look with his&nbsp;face covered in blood while he is seen holding a gun. The talented actor plays the role of Sartaj Singh.&nbsp;<br />
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He is currently in Rajasthan with wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and son Taimur, shooting for Navdeep Singh's upcoming film

Saif Ali Khan is currently shooting for Navdeep Singh's upcoming film in Rajasthan and he looks completely unrecognisable in first photos shared of his character. Sporting long hair tied with an orange bandana and beard, Saif was spotted wearing a red shirt paired with a white coloured dhoti and pointed boots on the set. #saifalikhan new look for film #kaaptan A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) on Feb 26, 2018 at 9:05pm PST × Reportedly titled Kaaptan, the film also stars R Madhavan and Sonakshi Sinha in important roles. As reported in leading daily, "Saif has been shooting in a village called Desuri in Rajasthan (that is two hours away from Udaipur) for the yet-untitled Navdeep Singh film, which also stars R Madhavan and Sonakshi Sinha in key roles. As he is stationed in Udaipur, Bebo decided to pay him a visit with Taimur in tow. They will zoom off to different places as they love to travel." In another update, Saif will also be seen in a Netflix original web series titled Sacred Games along with actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte in pivotal roles. It is being helmed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The first look of the series was released recently, in which, Saif Ali Khan can be seen donning a Sardar cop look with his face covered in blood while he is seen holding a gun. The talented actor plays the role of Sartaj Singh.

Saif Ali Khan is unrecognisable in these on-set photos from film shoot in Rajasthan

<p>At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district,&nbsp; reports said quoting police sources.</p>

<p>The incident took place on late Friday night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police said one Surendra Kumar Parecha had organised the wedding celebrations at Kumavat Samaj Bhavan in Beawar for his son`s wedding.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The guests were staying in a double-storey building. Suddenly, there was a loud blast which brought the entire building down like a pack of cards.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje declares a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs for family of the nine people killed in a cylinder blast last night during a wedding ceremony in Beawar&#39;s Nand Nagar in Ajmer district (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/p8WwoZiatP">pic.twitter.com/p8WwoZiatP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964855468333191168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to some eyewitnesses, the cook was trying to refill the empty LPG cylinder from another cylinder. That caused a fire and it resulted in an explosion.</p>

<p>According to police, six persons were referred to a hospital in Ajmer while 12 were referred to the district hospital in Beawar.</p>

<p>Post-mortems are being conducted and the bodies are being handed over to their respective families. The groom`s mother is also missing.</p>

<p>The search for bodies is underway and once all bodies are found, police will begin an investigation into what led to the blast, an official said.</p>

<p>Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has expressed condolences over the incident and called it tragic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She wished a speedy recovery to the injured and prayed for peace to the departed souls.</p>


According to some eyewitnesses, the cook was trying to refill the empty LPG cylinder from another cylinder. That caused a fire and it resulted in an explosion.

At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district, reports said quoting police sources. The incident took place on late Friday night. Police said one Surendra Kumar Parecha had organised the wedding celebrations at Kumavat Samaj Bhavan in Beawar for his son`s wedding. The guests were staying in a double-storey building. Suddenly, there was a loud blast which brought the entire building down like a pack of cards. #Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje declares a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs for family of the nine people killed in a cylinder blast last night during a wedding ceremony in Beawar's Nand Nagar in Ajmer district (File pic) pic.twitter.com/p8WwoZiatP — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2018 × According to some eyewitnesses, the cook was trying to refill the empty LPG cylinder from another cylinder. That caused a fire and it resulted in an explosion. According to police, six persons were referred to a hospital in Ajmer while 12 were referred to the district hospital in Beawar. Post-mortems are being conducted and the bodies are being handed over to their respective families. The groom`s mother is also missing. The search for bodies is underway and once all bodies are found, police will begin an investigation into what led to the blast, an official said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has expressed condolences over the incident and called it tragic. She wished a speedy recovery to the injured and prayed for peace to the departed souls.

Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-to-develop-railway-relations-between-india-and-iran-president-rouhani-33173" target="_blank">Iran, India ink nine pacts after &#39;substantive&#39; dialogues on wide range of issues</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-not-conspiring-to-help-scamsters-flee-but-catching-them-instead-nirmala-sitharaman-33179" target="_blank">PNB scam: Sitharaman drags in Abhishek Singhvi, who says &#39;I&#39;ll sue you&#39;</a></p>

<p>The BJP on Saturday alleged that the multi-crore PNB scam involving billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi happened during the UPA rule and the Congress was spreading lies.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-9-killed-in-lpg-cylinder-blast-33188" target="_blank">Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast</a></p>

<p>At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district,&nbsp; reports said quoting police sources.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-boko-haram-suicide-blasts-kill-19-in-nigeria-33169" target="_blank">Suspected Boko Haram suicide blasts kill 19 in Nigeria</a></p>

<p>Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said on Saturday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/america-will-regret-its-decision-if-it-violates-nuclear-agreement-president-rouhani-33189" target="_blank">America will regret its decision if it violates &#39;nuclear&#39; agreement: President Rouhani</a></p>

<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, expressed his opinion on the Trump administration noting that the Iranians had long had their destiny in the hands of the US.&nbsp;</p>


Iran, India ink nine pacts after 'substantive' dialogues on wide range of issues Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhan held bilateral talks today during which trade, investment, energy, defence, security among other issues were discussed. The two sides also inked nine pacts, including one on double taxation avoidance. PNB scam: Sitharaman drags in Abhishek Singhvi, who says 'I'll sue you' The BJP on Saturday alleged that the multi-crore PNB scam involving billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi happened during the UPA rule and the Congress was spreading lies. Rajasthan: 9 killed in LPG cylinder blast At least nine people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries after two LPG cylinders exploded at a wedding ceremony in Beawar in Rajasthan`s Ajmer district, reports said quoting police sources. Suspected Boko Haram suicide blasts kill 19 in Nigeria Three suicide bombers killed 19 people at a fish market in Konduga, northeast Nigeria, civilian militia leaders said on Saturday, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram jihadists. America will regret its decision if it violates 'nuclear' agreement: President Rouhani Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, expressed his opinion on the Trump administration noting that the Iranians had long had their destiny in the hands of the US.

WION Evening News brief, February 17, 2018

<p>Opposition Congress today created an uproar in the Rajasthan Assembly and boycotted the Question Hour following the suspension of a question related to illegal gravel mining.</p>

<p>The question about action against illegal gravel mining, asked by ruling party MLA Prahlad Gunjan, was part of a list of questions.</p>

<p>When it was the time to take up the question, Speaker Kailash Meghwal said that it had been suspended and would be answered later.</p>

<p>The Congress members then created an uproar, saying the government did not want to answer an important question and also boycotted the Question Hour.</p>

<p>Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said the government was willing to answer. He requested the speaker to include the question on the day when questions for the mines department would be taken up.</p>

<p>The speaker said that it was suspended on technical grounds and would be answered later.&nbsp;</p>


The question about action against illegal gravel mining, asked by ruling party MLA Prahlad Gunjan, was part of a list of questions

Opposition Congress today created an uproar in the Rajasthan Assembly and boycotted the Question Hour following the suspension of a question related to illegal gravel mining. The question about action against illegal gravel mining, asked by ruling party MLA Prahlad Gunjan, was part of a list of questions. When it was the time to take up the question, Speaker Kailash Meghwal said that it had been suspended and would be answered later. The Congress members then created an uproar, saying the government did not want to answer an important question and also boycotted the Question Hour. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said the government was willing to answer. He requested the speaker to include the question on the day when questions for the mines department would be taken up. The speaker said that it was suspended on technical grounds and would be answered later.

Uproar in the Rajasthan Assembly after question over illegal mining suspended

<p>Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi may miss the Jaipur Literature Festival after the Rajput Karni Sena workers threatened him to not enter Rajasthan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Furious over giving Sanjay Leela&#39;s Bhansali&#39;s controversial film Padmaavat a green signal, the Karni Sena said Joshi will be welcomed with &#39;shoes and chappals&#39; if he dares to come to the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prasoon Joshi is scheduled to address a session titled &#39;Main aur Woh: Conversations with Myself&#39; on January 28. Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi are regulars at the festival.</p>

<p>Earlier, the Rajput Karni Sena had threatened to burn cinema halls&nbsp;<br />
that screen the film, after the Supreme Court cleared the release of the film in four states - Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.</p>

<p>In its interim order, the apex court said all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film after permission has been granted by the CBFC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Karni Sena threat has sent alarm bells ringing and the police department is planning to deploy a battery of senior officials, along with security personnel, during JLF to prevent any untoward incident. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria assured a smooth functioning at the lit fest and said he will provide additional security to Joshi if required.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We will provide all protection he needs from us. It is our duty to maintain law &amp; order: Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Rajput Karni Sena&#39;s threat that &#39;Prasoon Joshi (CBFC chief) won&#39;t be allowed to enter the state&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/1OgoO8qu8i">pic.twitter.com/1OgoO8qu8i</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954956388521816065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The fringe group plans to protest against Joshi at the event scheduled to take place in Jaipur from January 25 to 29.</p>


Joshi is scheduled to address a session at Jaipur lit fest on January 28

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi may miss the Jaipur Literature Festival after the Rajput Karni Sena workers threatened him to not enter Rajasthan. Furious over giving Sanjay Leela's Bhansali's controversial film Padmaavat a green signal, the Karni Sena said Joshi will be welcomed with 'shoes and chappals' if he dares to come to the state. Prasoon Joshi is scheduled to address a session titled 'Main aur Woh: Conversations with Myself' on January 28. Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi are regulars at the festival. Earlier, the Rajput Karni Sena had threatened to burn cinema halls that screen the film, after the Supreme Court cleared the release of the film in four states - Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. In its interim order, the apex court said all states are constitutionally obliged to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident during the screening of the film after permission has been granted by the CBFC. Meanwhile, the Karni Sena threat has sent alarm bells ringing and the police department is planning to deploy a battery of senior officials, along with security personnel, during JLF to prevent any untoward incident. Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria assured a smooth functioning at the lit fest and said he will provide additional security to Joshi if required. We will provide all protection he needs from us. It is our duty to maintain law & order: Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Rajput Karni Sena's threat that 'Prasoon Joshi (CBFC chief) won't be allowed to enter the state' #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/1OgoO8qu8i — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2018 × The fringe group plans to protest against Joshi at the event scheduled to take place in Jaipur from January 25 to 29.

Padmaavat row: 'Won't allow Prasoon Joshi to enter Rajasthan', says Rajput Karni Sena

<p>Protests against the movie Padmaavat -- the movie is scheduled for release on January 25 -- are gathering pace around the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh approached the Supreme Court Tuesday to rethink its stay on their ban of the movie. The movie had been banned by two other states -- Gujarat and Haryana, but the court had last week ordered the bans to be lifted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court had said then that if the movie Bandit Queen (on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi) could be <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">released, then why not </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Jaipur meanwhile, the Rajput Karna Sena staged a protest against the movie, saying, &quot;We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film and if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Consider it a warning or request,&quot; the self-styled Sena added. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajput Karni Sena staged protest in Jaipur against screening of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>, say &#39; We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film &amp; if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences. Consider it a warning or request&#39;. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> <a href="https://t.co/IJosg8jQo7">pic.twitter.com/IJosg8jQo7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955328111725363201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In Chittor meanwhile, Rajput women took out a &quot;Chetavani rally&quot;. They said they would commit jauhar (mass sati) should the movie be released.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And ANI reported that a youth in Bhilwara had climbed a 350-foot-tall mobile tower along with a bottle of petrol. ANI added that the protester was saying he &quot;will come down only when Padmaavat is banned in the country&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Monday that any cinema hall screening the movie would be given security but that &quot;if someone decides not to screen the film it will be good.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If someone decides not to screen the film it will be good but if someone screens the film, they will be provided security. It is our duty to comply with Supreme Court&#39;s order: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ZpfKOFG86">pic.twitter.com/0ZpfKOFG86</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955322116622073856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;It is our duty to comply with the Supreme Court order,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police in Haryana said a mall in Kurukshetra had been vandalised on Sunday evening in protest against the movie. They said a group of 20 to 22 miscreants had attacked the mall with swords and hammers.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We suspect this act was against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>. 20-22 people suddenly entered the mall at 6:48 pm, vandalised it &amp; escaped without saying a word. We have identified a few of them. Further Investigation is underway: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Haryana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Haryana</a> Police <a href="https://t.co/ThAwR6S63d">pic.twitter.com/ThAwR6S63d</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/955320870800572416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Protesters had also blocked roads and set buses on fire in Gujarat on Sunday evening, again in protest against the movie.</p>

<p>Senior state minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said afterwards that such protests were &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/violent-protests-in-gujarat-against-padmaavat-minister-calls-it-natural-30310" target="_blank">natural</a>&quot; and that the government was looking for a legal opinion following the Supreme Court&#39;s order.</p>


'We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film and if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences,' the Rajput Karni Sena said

Protests against the movie Padmaavat -- the movie is scheduled for release on January 25 -- are gathering pace around the country. The two states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh approached the Supreme Court Tuesday to rethink its stay on their ban of the movie. The movie had been banned by two other states -- Gujarat and Haryana, but the court had last week ordered the bans to be lifted. The court had said then that if the movie Bandit Queen (on the life of dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi) could be released, then why not Padmaavat. In Jaipur meanwhile, the Rajput Karna Sena staged a protest against the movie, saying, "We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film and if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences." "Consider it a warning or request," the self-styled Sena added. Rajput Karni Sena staged protest in Jaipur against screening of #Padmaavat, say ' We are confident that no cinema hall will screen the film & if someone does they should be ready to bear the consequences. Consider it a warning or request'. #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/IJosg8jQo7 — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × In Chittor meanwhile, Rajput women took out a "Chetavani rally". They said they would commit jauhar (mass sati) should the movie be released. And ANI reported that a youth in Bhilwara had climbed a 350-foot-tall mobile tower along with a bottle of petrol. ANI added that the protester was saying he "will come down only when Padmaavat is banned in the country". Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Monday that any cinema hall screening the movie would be given security but that "if someone decides not to screen the film it will be good." If someone decides not to screen the film it will be good but if someone screens the film, they will be provided security. It is our duty to comply with Supreme Court's order: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/0ZpfKOFG86 — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × "It is our duty to comply with the Supreme Court order," he added. Police in Haryana said a mall in Kurukshetra had been vandalised on Sunday evening in protest against the movie. They said a group of 20 to 22 miscreants had attacked the mall with swords and hammers. We suspect this act was against #Padmaavat. 20-22 people suddenly entered the mall at 6:48 pm, vandalised it & escaped without saying a word. We have identified a few of them. Further Investigation is underway: #Haryana Police pic.twitter.com/ThAwR6S63d — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2018 × Protesters had also blocked roads and set buses on fire in Gujarat on Sunday evening, again in protest against the movie. Senior state minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said afterwards that such protests were "natural" and that the government was looking for a legal opinion following the Supreme Court's order.

As Rajasthan, MP go to Supreme Court, protests against Padmaavat gather pace

<p>After all the controversy surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-review-ranveer-singh-shines-in-bhansalis-visually-grand-historical-saga-30568">Padmaavat&quot;</a>, the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has decided to revise some sensitive facts related to Chittor&rsquo;s queen Padmini from its history textbooks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-ranveer-singh-on-threats-to-deepika-padukone-during-padmaavat-row-had-the-urge-to-speak-out-but-instructed-not-to-32321">Ranveer Singh on threats to Deepika Padukone: Had the urge to speak out but was asked not to </a></p>

<p>The RBSE is in the process of eliminating and correcting the content in the textbooks before the new session begins in April. People familiar with the matter at the board said some changes have been made with regard to content on Padmini, the queen of Rawal Ratan Singh, the 14th-century ruler of Chittor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per reports, the history textbooks in school had been teaching the same distortions about Queen Padmini of Chittor which have allegedly been shown the film &quot;Padmaavat&quot;.</p>

<p>Reports say that people in connection with the matter have already made a revised copy. RBSE chairperson BL Chaudhary said that the changes have been successfully made. He had earlier informed that syllabus in the history textbooks has not been changed since the last 50 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The section which states that Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji saw Padmini&rsquo;s reflection in a mirror and was smitten by her and later attacked Chittor fort has been omitted. Also, the sub-head <em>Padmini ki </em><em>kahani</em> (Padmini&rsquo;s story) has been revised as <em>Padmini ka Itihas</em> (Padmini&rsquo;s history).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-earns-rs-212-crores-within-two-weeks-of-its-release-31875">&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-earns-rs-212-crores-within-two-weeks-of-its-release-31875">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-earns-rs-212-crores-within-two-weeks-of-its-release-31875"> continues impressive run, enters 200-crore club </a></p>

<p>While making the modifications, the book, however, goes on to say that one of the reasons Khilji attacked Chittor was to capture Padmini, who, according to legend, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-deepika-padukone-opens-up-about-the-jauhar-scene-and-the-controversy-around-it-31318">chose to commit </a>&quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmaavat-deepika-padukone-opens-up-about-the-jauhar-scene-and-the-controversy-around-it-31318">jauhar&quot;</a> along with 1,600 other palace women, rather than be captured by Khilji.</p>

<p>The film had been facing protests by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-not-sit-quiet-if-padmavati-releases-threatens-rashtriya-rajput-karni-sena-28377"> Karni Sena</a> and other fringe groups over allegations that historical facts were distorted in the movie. The Rajput community led by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena had demanded a ban on the movie &quot;Padmaavat&quot; for misrepresenting facts like Khilji seeing Padmini&#39;s reflection in the mirror even though there were none in the 14th century in Mewar, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892">: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind</a></p>

<p>The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, is based on the saga of the 13th century battle between Maharaja Ratan Singh of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.</p>


The section which states that Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji saw Padmini’s reflection in a mirror and was smitten by her and later attacked Chittor fort has been omitted. Also, the sub-head Padmini ki kahani has been revised as Padmini ka Itihas

After all the controversy surrounding Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmaavat", the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has decided to revise some sensitive facts related to Chittor’s queen Padmini from its history textbooks. Also read: Ranveer Singh on threats to Deepika Padukone: Had the urge to speak out but was asked not to The RBSE is in the process of eliminating and correcting the content in the textbooks before the new session begins in April. People familiar with the matter at the board said some changes have been made with regard to content on Padmini, the queen of Rawal Ratan Singh, the 14th-century ruler of Chittor. As per reports, the history textbooks in school had been teaching the same distortions about Queen Padmini of Chittor which have allegedly been shown the film "Padmaavat". Reports say that people in connection with the matter have already made a revised copy. RBSE chairperson BL Chaudhary said that the changes have been successfully made. He had earlier informed that syllabus in the history textbooks has not been changed since the last 50 years. The section which states that Delhi ruler Alauddin Khilji saw Padmini’s reflection in a mirror and was smitten by her and later attacked Chittor fort has been omitted. Also, the sub-head Padmini ki kahani (Padmini’s story) has been revised as Padmini ka Itihas (Padmini’s history). Also read: Padmaavat continues impressive run, enters 200-crore club While making the modifications, the book, however, goes on to say that one of the reasons Khilji attacked Chittor was to capture Padmini, who, according to legend, chose to commit "jauhar" along with 1,600 other palace women, rather than be captured by Khilji. The film had been facing protests by the Karni Sena and other fringe groups over allegations that historical facts were distorted in the movie. The Rajput community led by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena had demanded a ban on the movie "Padmaavat" for misrepresenting facts like Khilji seeing Padmini's reflection in the mirror even though there were none in the 14th century in Mewar, reports said. Also read: Padmaavat: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, is based on the saga of the 13th century battle between Maharaja Ratan Singh of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.

Rajasthan: History textbooks to revise chapter about Padmini following 'Padmaavat' row

<p>In a fatal incident, a man has allegedly thrashed his paralytic mother which led to her death in Rajasthan`s Alwar district.</p>

<p>The victim was 82 years old. The incident was recorded on camera by the nephew of the accused, a teacher by profession.</p>

<p>The local police said that the incident took place on January 18.</p>

<p>A case has been registered in this connection.</p>

<p>The accused is absconding after the incident.</p>

<p>Further investigation into the case is underway.&nbsp;</p>


In a fatal incident, a man has allegedly thrashed his paralytic mother which led to her death in Rajasthan`s Alwar district. The victim was 82 years old. The incident was recorded on camera by the nephew of the accused, a teacher by profession. The local police said that the incident took place on January 18. A case has been registered in this connection. The accused is absconding after the incident. Further investigation into the case is underway.

Rajasthan: Man beats paralysed mother to death, his nephew records killing

<p>The Congress on Thursday won an assembly seat in Rajasthan and had a major victory in two <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-31475">parliamentary </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-31475">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-31475">.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The Congress is ready to take the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats from the BJP and has won the Mandalgarh assembly segment, also held by the BJP.</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi hailed the party&rsquo;s Rajasthan unit for its impressive show in the bypolls for two Lok Sabha and one Assembly seats, calling the outcome a &ldquo;rejection&rdquo; of the BJP by the people.</p>

<p>&quot;Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan,&quot; tweeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/959017563572359168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The ruling BJP on Thursday conceded defeat in Rajasthan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;We respect the people&rsquo;s mandate and we will analyse the reasons for our defeat. I am taking responsibility for the defeat,&rdquo; Rajasthan BJP chief Ashok Parnami said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We are going to study the reasons, but bypolls don&#39;t reflect the full picture,&quot; said BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya also said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All three seats are linked to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s top lieutenants in Rajasthan - Pilot, CP Joshi and Jitendra Singh Bhanwar.</p>

<p>All the three seats fell vacant after the deaths of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari.</p>


The Congress is ready to take the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats from the BJP and has won the Mandalgarh assembly segment, also held by the BJP

The Congress on Thursday won an assembly seat in Rajasthan and had a major victory in two parliamentary bypolls. The Congress is ready to take the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats from the BJP and has won the Mandalgarh assembly segment, also held by the BJP. Congress president Rahul Gandhi hailed the party’s Rajasthan unit for its impressive show in the bypolls for two Lok Sabha and one Assembly seats, calling the outcome a “rejection” of the BJP by the people. "Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan," tweeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Well done Rajasthan Congress! Proud of each and every one of you. This is a rejection of the BJP by the people of Rajasthan.#RajasthanByPolls — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 1, 2018 × The ruling BJP on Thursday conceded defeat in Rajasthan. “We respect the people’s mandate and we will analyse the reasons for our defeat. I am taking responsibility for the defeat,” Rajasthan BJP chief Ashok Parnami said. "We are going to study the reasons, but bypolls don't reflect the full picture," said BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya also said. All three seats are linked to Rahul Gandhi's top lieutenants in Rajasthan - Pilot, CP Joshi and Jitendra Singh Bhanwar. All the three seats fell vacant after the deaths of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari.

Bypoll results: Congress sweeps Rajasthan, setback for Raje's BJP

<p>Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal began today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After completion of 80 per cent of counting in Alwar congress has maintained a lead of over 1.40 lakh votes and is winning in Ajmer as well with a margin of 80,204 votes.</p>

<p>In a big jolt to the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government,&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;candidate Vivek Dhakad on Thursday won the Mandalgarh Assembly seat by 12976 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to congratulate fellow leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot for their victory in the Rajasthan&nbsp;bypolls&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Forget trends now,<br />
<br />
We <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCIndia</a> have won all 3 seats , done and dusted!<br />
<br />
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate <a href="https://twitter.com/SachinPilot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SachinPilot</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ashokgehlot51?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashokgehlot51</a> and every congress worker and every proud Rajasthani to believe in congress &lsquo; ideology.<br />
<br />
Big thanks ????????????????<br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@0ffice0ffRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/0ffice0ffRG/status/958963108332163072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>TMC&#39;s Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Singh said, &ldquo;It is a great win and it shows people&rsquo;s faith in TMC. I will now work for the people. There was a rumour that former TMC leader and now a BJP leader&nbsp;Mukul Roy&nbsp;would be a factor in Noapara seat but he could not make a difference in reality.&rdquo;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Initial trends from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> are a mandate against the Govt, I hope our leads will increase even more. Vasundhara ji and her Govt have been totally rejected by people: Sachin Pilot,Congress <a href="https://t.co/UyW82Vhfvt">pic.twitter.com/UyW82Vhfvt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958929143130984448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;Meanwhile, many prominent figures took to Twitter to congratulate the winning party.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The real headline of the day is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> . Sorry Mr Jaitley, but your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jumlanomics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jumlanomics</a> is totally overshadowed. India has had enough of manipulated headlines. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2018</a></p>
&mdash; Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) <a href="https://twitter.com/JhaSanjay/status/958948646107648000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The sacrifice of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a>&#39;s &quot;i&quot; didn&#39;t go in vain ????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanBypollsResult?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanBypollsResult</a></p>
&mdash; Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShirishKunder/status/958975784219303936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Big day for Congress. Looks set to take away BJP seats of Alwar and Ajmer. And now started leading in Mandalgarh assembly constituency too. Big message for BJP Govt. <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNnews18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNNnews18</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a></p>
&mdash; Arunoday Mukharji (@ArunodayM) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArunodayM/status/958937704942551040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The truth is staring in the faces of the BJP...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Congress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Congress</a> leading in all the 3 seats in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a>..people learn from their mistakes..choosing BJP was a mistake.. <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a> is the only compassionate leader with a large heart to lead the country..</p>
&mdash; khushbusundar (@khushsundar) <a href="https://twitter.com/khushsundar/status/958926828508360704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monda

Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal began today. After completion of 80 per cent of counting in Alwar congress has maintained a lead of over 1.40 lakh votes and is winning in Ajmer as well with a margin of 80,204 votes. In a big jolt to the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government, Congress candidate Vivek Dhakad on Thursday won the Mandalgarh Assembly seat by 12976 votes. Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to congratulate fellow leaders Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot for their victory in the Rajasthan bypolls on Thursday. Forget trends now, We @INCIndia have won all 3 seats , done and dusted! Let me take this opportunity to congratulate @SachinPilot @ashokgehlot51 and every congress worker and every proud Rajasthani to believe in congress ‘ ideology. Big thanks ???????????????? #RajasthanByPolls — Office of RG (@0ffice0ffRG) February 1, 2018 × TMC's Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes. Singh said, “It is a great win and it shows people’s faith in TMC. I will now work for the people. There was a rumour that former TMC leader and now a BJP leader Mukul Roy would be a factor in Noapara seat but he could not make a difference in reality.” Initial trends from #RajasthanByPolls are a mandate against the Govt, I hope our leads will increase even more. Vasundhara ji and her Govt have been totally rejected by people: Sachin Pilot,Congress pic.twitter.com/UyW82Vhfvt — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Meanwhile, many prominent figures took to Twitter to congratulate the winning party. The real headline of the day is #RajasthanByPolls . Sorry Mr Jaitley, but your #Jumlanomics is totally overshadowed. India has had enough of manipulated headlines. #Budget2018 — Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) February 1, 2018 × The sacrifice of #Padmaavat's "i" didn't go in vain ????#RajasthanByPolls #RajasthanBypollsResult — Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) February 1, 2018 × Big day for Congress. Looks set to take away BJP seats of Alwar and Ajmer. And now started leading in Mandalgarh assembly constituency too. Big message for BJP Govt. @CNNnews18 #RajasthanByPolls — Arunoday Mukharji (@ArunodayM) February 1, 2018 × The truth is staring in the faces of the BJP...#Congress leading in all the 3 seats in #RajasthanByPolls..people learn from their mistakes..choosing BJP was a mistake.. @OfficeOfRG is the only compassionate leader with a large heart to lead the country.. — khushbusundar (@khushsundar) February 1, 2018 ×

Bypoll results: Forget trends now, we have won all 3 seats, done and dusted, says Rahul Gandhi

<p>Congress has taken a massive leap and grabbed Mandalgarh Assembly seat and is now on a path to take over Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-tmc-wins-naopara-assembly-in-west-bengal-congress-leads-in-ajmer-alwar-31424">Rajasthan </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-tmc-wins-naopara-assembly-in-west-bengal-congress-leads-in-ajmer-alwar-31424">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-results-tmc-wins-naopara-assembly-in-west-bengal-congress-leads-in-ajmer-alwar-31424">.&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>Congress is on the verge of winning the Alwar bypoll as after 90 per cent of counting of votes, Congress is leading with a massive margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. BJP could only manage 4,42,502 votes.</p>

<p>Trinamool candidate Sajda Ahmed wins Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency and defeated BJP candidate Anupam Mallick by 4,74,023.</p>

<p>The BJP meanwhile emerged second in both the seats pushing Left Front to the third position. In Uluberia, BJP received 1,68,805 votes while CPM bagged 85,244 votes. In Noapara, BJP registered 38,711 votes while CPM managed to get 35,497 votes. The Congress meanwhile came fourth in both the seats and lost its deposits.</p>

<p>Congress&#39;s Karan Singh wins Alwar Lok Sabha constituency seat and defeated BJP&#39;s Jaswant Yadav by 1,56,319 votes.</p>

<p>The Trinamool Congress under&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee has won West Bengal&#39;s Naopara seat and is maintaining a steady lead in Ulluberia constituency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, BJP has been lagging behind in Rajasthan but still running close in West Bengal relegating the Left Front to third and Congress to the fourth position.</p>

<p>The counting of votes for the Rajasthan bypolls in two Lok Sabha and one assembly constituency &mdash; a crucial contest ahead of the state elections due later this year &mdash; began at 8am on Thursday.</p>


The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday

Congress has taken a massive leap and grabbed Mandalgarh Assembly seat and is now on a path to take over Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha in Rajasthan bypolls. Congress is on the verge of winning the Alwar bypoll as after 90 per cent of counting of votes, Congress is leading with a massive margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. BJP could only manage 4,42,502 votes. Trinamool candidate Sajda Ahmed wins Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency and defeated BJP candidate Anupam Mallick by 4,74,023. The BJP meanwhile emerged second in both the seats pushing Left Front to the third position. In Uluberia, BJP received 1,68,805 votes while CPM bagged 85,244 votes. In Noapara, BJP registered 38,711 votes while CPM managed to get 35,497 votes. The Congress meanwhile came fourth in both the seats and lost its deposits. Congress's Karan Singh wins Alwar Lok Sabha constituency seat and defeated BJP's Jaswant Yadav by 1,56,319 votes. The Trinamool Congress under Mamata Banerjee has won West Bengal's Naopara seat and is maintaining a steady lead in Ulluberia constituency. However, BJP has been lagging behind in Rajasthan but still running close in West Bengal relegating the Left Front to third and Congress to the fourth position. The counting of votes for the Rajasthan bypolls in two Lok Sabha and one assembly constituency — a crucial contest ahead of the state elections due later this year — began at 8am on Thursday.

Rajasthan, West Bengal bypolls: More wins for Congress, TMC

<p>TMC&#39;s Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: Congress leading in Ajmer Lok Sabha by 45321 votes, in Alwar Lok Sabha by 72101 votes and in Mandalgarh assembly by 11136 votes</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958967791150878720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress&#39;s Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RajasthanByPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RajasthanByPolls</a> : Congress&#39;s Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958970906839277568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As of now, the Congress leads in Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats in Rajasthan. TMC leads in West Bengal&#39;s&nbsp;Uluberia.</p>

<p>The counting began at 8 am today amid tight security.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Naopara assembly seat by-poll: TMC candidate Sunil Singh wins with 1,11,729 votes</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958933052180312064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports, Congress&#39; Karan Singh Yadav was leading by 61,500 votes over BJP&#39;s Jaswant Yadav in Alwar.</p>

<p>In Ajmer, Congress&#39;s Raghu Sharma was ahead of BJP&#39;s Ram Swaroop Lamba by 3,398 votes, they said.</p>

<p>In Mandalgarh, BJP candidate Shakti Singh Hada was ahead of independent candidate Gopal Malviya by over 3,000 votes. Congress&#39; Vivek Dhakad was trailing.</p>

<p>Chief Election Officer Ashwani Bhagat said the results would be declared before noon.</p>

<p>The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday.</p>

<p>The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas.</p>

<p>The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


TMC's Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal by 1,11,729 votes

TMC's Sunil Singh has won the Naopara assembly seat in West Bengal with 1,11,729 votes. #RajasthanByPolls #UPDATE: Congress leading in Ajmer Lok Sabha by 45321 votes, in Alwar Lok Sabha by 72101 votes and in Mandalgarh assembly by 11136 votes — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Congress's Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes. #RajasthanByPolls : Congress's Vivek Dhakad has won Mandalgarh assembly seat by 12976 votes — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × As of now, the Congress leads in Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats in Rajasthan. TMC leads in West Bengal's Uluberia. The counting began at 8 am today amid tight security. Naopara assembly seat by-poll: TMC candidate Sunil Singh wins with 1,11,729 votes — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × According to reports, Congress' Karan Singh Yadav was leading by 61,500 votes over BJP's Jaswant Yadav in Alwar. In Ajmer, Congress's Raghu Sharma was ahead of BJP's Ram Swaroop Lamba by 3,398 votes, they said. In Mandalgarh, BJP candidate Shakti Singh Hada was ahead of independent candidate Gopal Malviya by over 3,000 votes. Congress' Vivek Dhakad was trailing. Chief Election Officer Ashwani Bhagat said the results would be declared before noon. The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday. The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan. All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas. The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh. (With inputs from agencies)

Bypoll results: Congress wins in Mandalgarh, Rajasthan; TMC leads in West Bengal

<p>Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal has begun.</p>

<p>The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday.</p>

<p>The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).</p>

<p>While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas.</p>

<p>The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh.</p>

<p>According to fresh reports, TMC leads with more than 19,000 votes in Naopara.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Naopara assembly seat by-poll results: TMC leads with more then 19000 votes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestBengal</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958907299027931136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In Rajasthan&#39;s Mandalgarh, BJP currently leads with 699 votes while in Alwar Congress leads by 9225 votes.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mandalgarh assembly seat by-poll trends: BJP leading with 699 votes;<br />
Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 9225 votes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958908100538523650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 30,595 votes<br />
Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 7585 votes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958911016036954112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Counting of votes for the by-polls of three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Rajasthan and West Bengal has begun. The polling in all the constituencies took place on Monday. The election was held for Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh Assembly constituency in Rajasthan. All the three seats fell vacant after the death of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari, who all were from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While in West Bengal, by-polls were held for Uluberia Lok Sabha Constituency in Howrah district and Noapara Assembly Seat in North 24 Parganas. The election was necessitated due to the death of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sultan Ahmed and the Congress party MLA Madhusudan Ghosh. According to fresh reports, TMC leads with more than 19,000 votes in Naopara. Naopara assembly seat by-poll results: TMC leads with more then 19000 votes #WestBengal — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × In Rajasthan's Mandalgarh, BJP currently leads with 699 votes while in Alwar Congress leads by 9225 votes. Mandalgarh assembly seat by-poll trends: BJP leading with 699 votes; Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 9225 votes #Rajasthan — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 30,595 votes Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 7585 votes #Rajasthan — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 ×

Bypolls results: Counting in Rajasthan, West Bengal begins

<p>The voting for the by-elections for two Lok Sabha seats in Ajmer and Alwar and the assembly seat in Mandalgarh has begun.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan: Voting for Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll begins; Visuals from a polling booth in Subhash Nagar <a href="https://t.co/ehChdq4e1o">pic.twitter.com/ehChdq4e1o</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957806268298612736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan: Voting for Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll begins; BJP&#39;s Bhupender Yadav casts his vote at a voting centre in Kundan Nagar <a href="https://t.co/AOMmDzSIfA">pic.twitter.com/AOMmDzSIfA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/957807457207595008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s (BJP) Ramswarup Lamba is contesting from Ajmer and is up against Congress&#39; Raghu Sharma.</p>

<p>Lamba is the son of deceased MP Sanwar Lal Jat, and it was upon his death, the Ajmer seat fell vacant in August last year.</p>

<p>In the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency, a total of 1,987 polling booths have been set up, while in Ajmer Lok Sabha constituency, 1,925 booths have been set up for voters to exercise their franchise.</p>

<p>In Mandalgarh assembly constituency, up to 282 booths have been set up for the voters.</p>

<p>There are 18.27 lakh registered voters in Alwar, 18.42 lakh voters in Ajmer and 2.31 lakh voters in Mandalgarh.</p>

<p>Eleven candidates are in the fray in Alwar, 23 in Ajmer and eight in Mandalgarh.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The voting for the by-elections for two Lok Sabha seats in Ajmer and Alwar and the assembly seat in Mandalgarh has begun

The voting for the by-elections for two Lok Sabha seats in Ajmer and Alwar and the assembly seat in Mandalgarh has begun. Rajasthan: Voting for Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll begins; Visuals from a polling booth in Subhash Nagar pic.twitter.com/ehChdq4e1o — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018 × Rajasthan: Voting for Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll begins; BJP's Bhupender Yadav casts his vote at a voting centre in Kundan Nagar pic.twitter.com/AOMmDzSIfA — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2018 × Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Ramswarup Lamba is contesting from Ajmer and is up against Congress' Raghu Sharma. Lamba is the son of deceased MP Sanwar Lal Jat, and it was upon his death, the Ajmer seat fell vacant in August last year. In the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency, a total of 1,987 polling booths have been set up, while in Ajmer Lok Sabha constituency, 1,925 booths have been set up for voters to exercise their franchise. In Mandalgarh assembly constituency, up to 282 booths have been set up for the voters. There are 18.27 lakh registered voters in Alwar, 18.42 lakh voters in Ajmer and 2.31 lakh voters in Mandalgarh. Eleven candidates are in the fray in Alwar, 23 in Ajmer and eight in Mandalgarh.

Rajasthan bypolls: Voting underway in  Ajmer, Alwar & Mandalgarh

<p>Mick Jagger made the most of his Rajasthan trip. The musician soaked in some of the winter sun and even explored the desert state on a tuk-tuk.<br />
<br />
The musician posted a video on his Instagram profile where he can be seen admiring the jewellery of a Rajasthani native and enjoying a tuk-tuk ride.<br />
<br />
In the video, he is seen talking to a woman dressed in traditional wear. He asks her for her name, and says: &quot;I like your jewellery.&quot;<br />
<br />
The woman, named Santosh, is unable to respond in English but seems happy about being complimented for the many jewellery pieces she flaunts -- heavy neckpieces, bangles and a nath.<br />
<br />
Jagger`s video then takes viewers on a ride navigating the narrow lanes of a busy marketplace.<br />
<br />
&quot;Getting around on a tuk-tuk,&quot; Jagger captioned the video.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeGo9SSHr7c/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Getting around on a tuk tuk! ????????</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mickjagger/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Mick Jagger</a> (@mickjagger) on <time datetime="2018-01-18T20:11:47+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 18, 2018 at 12:11pm PST</time></p>
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<p><br />
The singer shared a few photographs of himself and is seen in a powder blue shirt paired with black pants.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&quot;Had an amazing time exploring India,&quot; he wrote for one of his posts.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On January 15, Jagger had tweeted: &quot;Enjoying the vibrant sights and sounds of India!&quot;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeF4JKIHN2H/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Had an amazing time exploring India ????????</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mickjagger/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Mick Jagger</a> (@mickjagger) on <time datetime="2018-01-18T13:04:51+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 18, 2018 at 5:04am PST</time></p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd761_rHXvM/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Enjoying the vibrant sights and sounds of India!</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mickjagger/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Mick Jagger</a> (@mickjagger) on <time datetime="2018-01-14T16:16:03+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 14, 2018 at 8:16am PST</time></p>
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<p>The background seemed to be Jodhpur`s Umaid Bhawan Palace in Rajasthan. However, it is not known if Jagger is here for work or for a vacation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With agency inputs)</p>


The musician posted a video on his Instagram profile where he can be seen admiring the jewellery of a Rajasthani native and enjoying a tuk-tuk ride.

Mick Jagger made the most of his Rajasthan trip. The musician soaked in some of the winter sun and even explored the desert state on a tuk-tuk. The musician posted a video on his Instagram profile where he can be seen admiring the jewellery of a Rajasthani native and enjoying a tuk-tuk ride. In the video, he is seen talking to a woman dressed in traditional wear. He asks her for her name, and says: "I like your jewellery." The woman, named Santosh, is unable to respond in English but seems happy about being complimented for the many jewellery pieces she flaunts -- heavy neckpieces, bangles and a nath. Jagger`s video then takes viewers on a ride navigating the narrow lanes of a busy marketplace. "Getting around on a tuk-tuk," Jagger captioned the video. Getting around on a tuk tuk! ???????? A post shared by Mick Jagger (@mickjagger) on Jan 18, 2018 at 12:11pm PST × The singer shared a few photographs of himself and is seen in a powder blue shirt paired with black pants. "Had an amazing time exploring India," he wrote for one of his posts. On January 15, Jagger had tweeted: "Enjoying the vibrant sights and sounds of India!" Had an amazing time exploring India ???????? A post shared by Mick Jagger (@mickjagger) on Jan 18, 2018 at 5:04am PST × Enjoying the vibrant sights and sounds of India! A post shared by Mick Jagger (@mickjagger) on Jan 14, 2018 at 8:16am PST × The background seemed to be Jodhpur`s Umaid Bhawan Palace in Rajasthan. However, it is not known if Jagger is here for work or for a vacation. (With agency inputs)

Mick Jagger explores Rajasthan on a tuk-tuk

<p>Shortly after Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh decided to <span style="display: none;">&nbsp;</span> ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-cleared-by-the-supreme-court-in-four-states-stays-ban-29917">the Supreme Court decided to stay the ban</a> today.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court&#39;s mandate has triggered a wave of reactions from all across the country, especially from leaders belonging to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-becomes-fourth-state-to-ban-padmavat-29698">four states</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan&#39;s Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that he respected SC&#39;s decision and is ready to abide by it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;My department and I will look for a legal provision if one is possible after reading SC&#39;s decision and then we will move forward,&quot; he noted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We respect the Supreme Court&#39;s decision, will abide by it. My department &amp; I will look for a legal provision, if one is possible, after reading SC&#39;s decision and then we will move forward: Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/W7eW0AMdQQ">pic.twitter.com/W7eW0AMdQQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953901919860285441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another reaction came from Haryana&#39;s Health Minister Anil Vij who said that the Supreme Court gave its directive without &quot;listening to our side&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Supreme Court gave the decision without listening to our side. Supreme Court is the supreme so will abide by the decision. We will also examine the decision and see if there is a scope of appealing against it: Anil Vij, Haryana Health Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> <a href="https://t.co/XhGluX1kre">pic.twitter.com/XhGluX1kre</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/953916057349062656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Supreme Court is the supreme so will abide by the decision. We will also examine the decision and see if there is a scope of appealing against it,&quot; Vij noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deepika Padukone starrer <em>Padmaavat</em> was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification with a UA certificate last month.</p>

<p>The Board, headed by Prasoon Joshi, called for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-cuts-proposed-on-padmavati-only-5-modifications-says-central-board-of-filmcertification-28132">a few modifications</a> to be made to the content of the film including the one that required the film&#39;s title to be changed from <em>Padmavati</em> to <em>Padmaavat</em>.</p>

<p>The makers of the film were reported to have agreed to the Censor Board&#39;s suggestions after which the movie was set for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-padmavat-to-release-on-january-25th-28879">a release on January 25</a>.</p>

<p>Various Rajput groups have been protesting against <em>Padmaavat</em>&#39;s release including the Karni Sena.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Harish Salve, the lawyer representing film&#39;s producers noted in the court today saying, &quot;If somebody has a problem, then he or she can approach appellate tribunal for relief. The state can&#39;t touch the content of a film. Request the Central government to pass a direction to the states for a better and an effective step and solution,&quot;&nbsp;</p>


The Supreme Court's mandate has triggered a wave of reactions from all across the country

Shortly after Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh decided to ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, the Supreme Court decided to stay the ban today. The Supreme Court's mandate has triggered a wave of reactions from all across the country, especially from leaders belonging to the four states. Rajasthan's Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that he respected SC's decision and is ready to abide by it. "My department and I will look for a legal provision if one is possible after reading SC's decision and then we will move forward," he noted. We respect the Supreme Court's decision, will abide by it. My department & I will look for a legal provision, if one is possible, after reading SC's decision and then we will move forward: Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/W7eW0AMdQQ — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × Another reaction came from Haryana's Health Minister Anil Vij who said that the Supreme Court gave its directive without "listening to our side". Supreme Court gave the decision without listening to our side. Supreme Court is the supreme so will abide by the decision. We will also examine the decision and see if there is a scope of appealing against it: Anil Vij, Haryana Health Minister #Padmaavat pic.twitter.com/XhGluX1kre — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2018 × "Supreme Court is the supreme so will abide by the decision. We will also examine the decision and see if there is a scope of appealing against it," Vij noted. Deepika Padukone starrer Padmaavat was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification with a UA certificate last month. The Board, headed by Prasoon Joshi, called for a few modifications to be made to the content of the film including the one that required the film's title to be changed from Padmavati to Padmaavat. The makers of the film were reported to have agreed to the Censor Board's suggestions after which the movie was set for a release on January 25. Various Rajput groups have been protesting against Padmaavat's release including the Karni Sena. Harish Salve, the lawyer representing film's producers noted in the court today saying, "If somebody has a problem, then he or she can approach appellate tribunal for relief. The state can't touch the content of a film. Request the Central government to pass a direction to the states for a better and an effective step and solution,"

Padmaavat release row: Rajasthan, Haryana say they respect SC decision, will see if can appeal

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/padmaavat-now-rajasthan-bans-the-film-keeping-public-interest-in-mind-29892" target="_blank">: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind</a></p>

<p>After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s<em>&nbsp;Padmaavat</em>. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-arrests-ex-cia-official-linked-to-spying-for-china-29896" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-arrests-ex-cia-official-linked-to-spying-for-china-29896" target="_blank"> arrests ex-CIA official linked to spying for China</a></p>

<p>A former CIA official who lives in Hong Kong was arrested by US authorities in New York airport on Monday after FBI agents allegedly found classified information in his hotel room, including two small books containing information on details of true names and numbers of spy recruits and covert CIA employees.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/spike-anti-tank-missile-deal-with-india-back-on-track-netanyahu-29889" target="_blank">Spike anti-tank missile deal with India back on track: Netanyahu</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a four-day visit to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-cancels-spike-anti-tank-guided-missiles-deal-with-israel-28444">India confirmed the Spike anti-tank missile&nbsp;</a>deal which was scrapped by India a fortnight ago was back on track, Israel media reported.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-lawmakers-back-brexit-legislation-stiffer-tests-yet-to-come-29888" target="_blank">British lawmakers back Brexit legislation, stiffer tests yet to come</a></p>

<p>British lawmakers voted in favour of the government&#39;s legislative blueprint for&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;on Wednesday, marking a victory for Prime Minister Theresa May over political opponents who want a softer approach to leaving the European Union.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1-bsf-soldier-killed-3-civilians-injured-in-ceasefire-violation-in-jk-29887" target="_blank">J&amp;K: 1 BSF soldier killed, 3 civilians injured as Pak troops open fire along LoC</a></p>

<p>A BSF soldier lost his life after a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-troops-fire-at-loc-posts-in-poonch-army-captain-injured-29759" target="_blank">ceasefire violation by the&nbsp;Pakistan forces</a>&nbsp;in the R S Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp; The firing by Pakistan troops also hit neighbouring villages injuring 3 civilians</p>


Padmaavat: Now, Rajasthan bans the film keeping public interest in mind After Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Rajasthan is the fourth state to officially ban Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. The film, that is scheduled to release in theaters on January 25th will not be releasing in Rajasthan, a notice by the Rajasthan government said. US arrests ex-CIA official linked to spying for China A former CIA official who lives in Hong Kong was arrested by US authorities in New York airport on Monday after FBI agents allegedly found classified information in his hotel room, including two small books containing information on details of true names and numbers of spy recruits and covert CIA employees. Spike anti-tank missile deal with India back on track: Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a four-day visit to India confirmed the Spike anti-tank missile deal which was scrapped by India a fortnight ago was back on track, Israel media reported. British lawmakers back Brexit legislation, stiffer tests yet to come British lawmakers voted in favour of the government's legislative blueprint for Brexit on Wednesday, marking a victory for Prime Minister Theresa May over political opponents who want a softer approach to leaving the European Union. J&K: 1 BSF soldier killed, 3 civilians injured as Pak troops open fire along LoC A BSF soldier lost his life after a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan forces in the R S Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The firing by Pakistan troops also hit neighbouring villages injuring 3 civilians

WION Morning News brief, January 18, 2018

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavat-wont-release-in-gujarat-madhya-pradesh-29351">Gujarat government</a> today announced that the state will not go ahead with the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s magnum opus, <em>Padmavat</em>. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Gujarat&#39;s Minister of State, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, noted the ban essential to maintain law and order in the state and said that it was issued in public interest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ban is imposed under the Gujarat Cinemas (Regulation) Act of 2004.</p>

<p>&quot;In exercise conferred by sub-section 1 of section 6 of the Act, the government of Gujarat hereby imposes the ban on Hindi feature film &#39;<em>Padmaavat</em>&#39;... No cinema owners or distributors shall exhibit the said movie in any cinema/multiplex/ video cinema/touring cinema within the jurisdiction of Gujarat,&quot; the notification said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have learnt that the movie, originally named as &#39;<em>Padmavati</em>&#39; will be released with a new name &#39;<em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/scenes-offensive-to-rajput-community-must-be-deleted-union-minister-on-padmavat-release-29427"><em>Padmaavat</em></a></em>&#39;. However, people across the country are against the movie, as they feel that history has been distorted. With this notification, the movie will be considered as a non-certified one and will not be screened in the state,&quot; said Jadeja.</p>

<p>Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had previously announced that the ban on <em>Padmavat</em> will continue despite the change in title.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the makers of the film confirmed <em>Padmavat</em>&#39;s release on January 25.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Viacom18 Motion Pictures announced that the movie shall be released across the globe in three languages -- Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Get ready to witness the epic tale <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmaavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmaavat</a> on 25th January 2018, in theatres near you!Now also in 3D, Imax 3D, Tamil &amp; Telugu! <a href="https://twitter.com/filmpadmaavat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@filmPadmaavat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RanveerOfficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/shahidkapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@shahidkapoor</a> <a href="https://t.co/K6vxrPYSK1">pic.twitter.com/K6vxrPYSK1</a></p>
&mdash; Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) <a href="https://twitter.com/deepikapadukone/status/952520105451311105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Central Board of Film Certification cleared the film with a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhansalis-padmavati-to-get-ua-certificate-films-title-may-also-get-changed-central-film-board-28111">UA certificate on December 28</a>.</p>

<p>The Censor Board called for necessary modifications -- including the name of the movie to be changed to <em>Padmavat</em> and changes made to the <em>Ghoomar</em> song -- in order to facilitate the film&#39;s release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Various Rajput groups across the country have been staging protests against the film&#39;s&nbsp;release.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-karni-sena-members-held-while-protesting-outside-cbfc-office-29365">Karni Sena</a>, most vocal against <em>Padmavat</em>&#39;s release, recently staged a protest outside the CBFC office.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The group has also <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajput-karni-sena-threatens-to-vandalise-theaters-showing-padmavati-28115">threatened to vandalise cinema halls</a> screening the movie, despite the censor board&#39;s go-ahead.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The ban is imposed under the Gujarat Cinemas (Regulation) Act of 2004

The Gujarat government today announced that the state will not go ahead with the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Padmavat. Gujarat's Minister of State, Pradeepsinh Jadeja, noted the ban essential to maintain law and order in the state and said that it was issued in public interest. The ban is imposed under the Gujarat Cinemas (Regulation) Act of 2004. "In exercise conferred by sub-section 1 of section 6 of the Act, the government of Gujarat hereby imposes the ban on Hindi feature film 'Padmaavat'... No cinema owners or distributors shall exhibit the said movie in any cinema/multiplex/ video cinema/touring cinema within the jurisdiction of Gujarat," the notification said. "We have learnt that the movie, originally named as 'Padmavati' will be released with a new name 'Padmaavat'. However, people across the country are against the movie, as they feel that history has been distorted. With this notification, the movie will be considered as a non-certified one and will not be screened in the state," said Jadeja. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had previously announced that the ban on Padmavat will continue despite the change in title. Meanwhile, the makers of the film confirmed Padmavat's release on January 25. Viacom18 Motion Pictures announced that the movie shall be released across the globe in three languages -- Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. Get ready to witness the epic tale #Padmaavat on 25th January 2018, in theatres near you!Now also in 3D, Imax 3D, Tamil & Telugu! @filmPadmaavat @RanveerOfficial @shahidkapoor pic.twitter.com/K6vxrPYSK1 — Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) January 14, 2018 × The Central Board of Film Certification cleared the film with a UA certificate on December 28. The Censor Board called for necessary modifications -- including the name of the movie to be changed to Padmavat and changes made to the Ghoomar song -- in order to facilitate the film's release. Various Rajput groups across the country have been staging protests against the film's release. The Karni Sena, most vocal against Padmavat's release, recently staged a protest outside the CBFC office. The group has also threatened to vandalise cinema halls screening the movie, despite the censor board's go-ahead. (With inputs from agencies)

Gujarat joins Rajasthan, bans Padmavat

<p>The deadly swine flu virus seems to be spreading its wings again. The Rajasthan government, Wednesday, issued a swine flu alert as the virus claimed 12 lives this year.</p>

<p>Two people in Jaipur died of&nbsp;swine flu on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The deceased included a 76-year-old who was undergoing treatment at a private city hospital&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 19 people were tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday after which the Vasundhara Raje regime issued another health alert across Rajasthan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The capital city, Jaipur, alone reported 10 fresh cases.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state health department has issued strict instructions, urging locals to get a thorough screening.</p>

<p>The Rajasthan government sounded a swine flu alert on January 3, 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a PTI report, close to 400 people were diagnosed with the virus in December 2017.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We are ensuring that swine flu symptoms are diagnosed early on and treatment is given,&rdquo; State Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said.</p>

<p>According to medical and health department records, Rajasthan witnessed 241 swine flu deaths since January 2017.</p>

<p>As many as 11,721 people were screened for swine flu between January 1&nbsp;and December 19, 2017; 3,214 were tested positive.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


As many as 19 people were tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday

The deadly swine flu virus seems to be spreading its wings again. The Rajasthan government, Wednesday, issued a swine flu alert as the virus claimed 12 lives this year. Two people in Jaipur died of swine flu on Tuesday. The deceased included a 76-year-old who was undergoing treatment at a private city hospital As many as 19 people were tested positive for swine flu on Tuesday after which the Vasundhara Raje regime issued another health alert across Rajasthan. The capital city, Jaipur, alone reported 10 fresh cases. The state health department has issued strict instructions, urging locals to get a thorough screening. The Rajasthan government sounded a swine flu alert on January 3, 2018. According to a PTI report, close to 400 people were diagnosed with the virus in December 2017. “We are ensuring that swine flu symptoms are diagnosed early on and treatment is given,” State Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf said. According to medical and health department records, Rajasthan witnessed 241 swine flu deaths since January 2017. As many as 11,721 people were screened for swine flu between January 1 and December 19, 2017; 3,214 were tested positive. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajasthan government issues second swine flu alert 

<p>Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday announced that&nbsp;Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s much-awaited epic period drama Padmavat&nbsp;will not be released in the state.</p>

<p><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E7W95hMcQkk" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>She said the decision was taken keeping in view the sentiments of the people.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> CM Vasundhara Raje says <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavat</a> will not be released in the state, keeping in view the sentiments of the people. Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria has been instructed for the same. <a href="https://t.co/riBQZBkGDe">pic.twitter.com/riBQZBkGDe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/950366918023593984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had also confirmed the news. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Following earlier orders of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, movie &#39;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padmavat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padmavat</a>&#39; will not be released in the state: Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajasthan Home Minister <a href="https://t.co/rDQVltZSeo">pic.twitter.com/rDQVltZSeo</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/950331406940426242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Deepika Padukone starrer was given a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification and is slated to hit theatres on January 25.</p>

<p>After months of uncertainty and violent protests by Rajput Karni Sena, the film&#39;s name was changed to &#39;Padmavat&#39; from &lsquo;Padmavati&rsquo;.</p>

<p>The group even objected to Deepika&#39;s dance in the song &#39;Ghoomar&#39;, saying the Rajput queens never danced in front of anyone.</p>

<p>Earlier, the film was scheduled for a December 1, 2017 release but was postponed after objections around the film took a political turn</p>

<p>With the new release date, Bhansali&#39;s film will clash with two other major Bollywood releases that weekend- Akshay Kumar&#39;s Padman and Manoj Bajpayee&#39;s Aiyaary.&nbsp;</p>


The state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed the news

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday announced that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited epic period drama Padmavat will not be released in the state. She said the decision was taken keeping in view the sentiments of the people. #Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje says #Padmavat will not be released in the state, keeping in view the sentiments of the people. Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria has been instructed for the same. pic.twitter.com/riBQZBkGDe — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2018 × Earlier, state Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria had also confirmed the news. Following earlier orders of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, movie '#Padmavat' will not be released in the state: Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajasthan Home Minister pic.twitter.com/rDQVltZSeo — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2018 × The Deepika Padukone starrer was given a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification and is slated to hit theatres on January 25. After months of uncertainty and violent protests by Rajput Karni Sena, the film's name was changed to 'Padmavat' from ‘Padmavati’. The group even objected to Deepika's dance in the song 'Ghoomar', saying the Rajput queens never danced in front of anyone. Earlier, the film was scheduled for a December 1, 2017 release but was postponed after objections around the film took a political turn With the new release date, Bhansali's film will clash with two other major Bollywood releases that weekend- Akshay Kumar's Padman and Manoj Bajpayee's Aiyaary.

Rajasthan CM says 'Padmavat' will not be released in state

<p>At least 32 people have died and several injured after a bus fell into the Banas river in Rajasthan&#39;s Sawai Madhopur area,&nbsp;District Magistrate KC Varma said.</p>

<p>All injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.</p>

<p>The incident occurred in Swai Madhopur&#39;s Dubi area.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from the site of accident in Dubi, Sawai Madhopur ; 12 people dead, 24 injured after a bus carrying passengers fell of a bridge into a river <a href="https://t.co/7pruEkOjmc">pic.twitter.com/7pruEkOjmc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944416804587237376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajasthan: Injured admitted to hospital after a bus carrying them fell of a bridge into a river in Sawai Madhopur&#39;s Dubi; 12 people dead in the accident <a href="https://t.co/ypr4xM06Hz">pic.twitter.com/ypr4xM06Hz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944418072466636800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi expressed his grief and said that the state government was closely monitoring the situation.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anguished by the bus accident in Rajasthan&#39;s Sawai Madhopur district. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. State Government is closely monitoring the situation, including rescue operations and providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a></p>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/944443318535987200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said she had instructed officials to carry out speedy rescue operations.</p>


At least 32 people have died and several injured after a bus fell into the Banas river in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur area, District Magistrate KC Varma said. All injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The incident occurred in Swai Madhopur's Dubi area. Rajasthan: #Visuals from the site of accident in Dubi, Sawai Madhopur ; 12 people dead, 24 injured after a bus carrying passengers fell of a bridge into a river pic.twitter.com/7pruEkOjmc — ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017 × Rajasthan: Injured admitted to hospital after a bus carrying them fell of a bridge into a river in Sawai Madhopur's Dubi; 12 people dead in the accident pic.twitter.com/ypr4xM06Hz — ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2017 × PM Modi expressed his grief and said that the state government was closely monitoring the situation. Anguished by the bus accident in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. State Government is closely monitoring the situation, including rescue operations and providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 23, 2017 × Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said she had instructed officials to carry out speedy rescue operations.

Bus falls into river in Rajasthan, death toll rises to 32

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lalu-prasad-found-guilty-in-fodder-scam-case-27532">Lalu Prasad found guilty in fodder scam case, taken into custody</a></p>

<p>Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was on Saturday convicted by a special CBI court in the 1996 fodder scam case along with 14 others co-accused in the case. Lalu Prasad Yadav was taken into custody immediately after the verdict and sent to a jail in Ranchi. Former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra, who was also a co-accused, has been acquitted along with seven others.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-3-soldiers-killed-in-pakistan-ceasefire-violation-in-keri-27540">J&amp;K: 3 soldiers killed in Pakistan ceasefire violation in Keri</a></p>

<p>At least three Indian soldiers, including a senior officer, were on Saturday killed in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan at the Keri (120 Infantry Brigade) Battalion area of Jammu and Kashmir. A soldier has also been injured in the firing and is undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bus-falls-into-river-in-rajasthan-at-least-12-dead-several-injured-27509">Bus falls into river in Rajasthan, death toll rises to 32</a></p>

<p>At least 32 people have died and several injured after a bus fell into the Banas river in Rajasthan&#39;s Sawai Madhopur area,&nbsp;District Magistrate KC Varma said. All injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The incident occurred in Swai Madhopur&#39;s Dubi area.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhopal-gang-rape-four-accused-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-27530">Bhopal gang-rape: Four accused sentenced to life imprisonment</a></p>

<p>The four men accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhopal-rape-case-4-police-officials-suspended-superintendent-of-police-transferred-23460">Bhopal&nbsp;</a>in October were sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court on Saturday.&nbsp;The additional district and session judge&nbsp;Savita Dube reportedly gave the verdict.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-fire-at-metro-hospital-patients-evacuated-27534">Delhi: Fire at Metro Hospital, minor injuries to patients</a></p>

<p>A fire broke out at New Delhi&#39;s Metro Hospital and Cancer Institute in Preet Vihar on Saturday afternoon but was brought under control by evening. A few patients suffered minor injuries.&nbsp;Around 84 patients were evacuated.&nbsp;A senior police official said that the fire started&nbsp;in an air conditioning vent and then spread to other floors.</p>


Here are the top developments this evening

Lalu Prasad found guilty in fodder scam case, taken into custody Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was on Saturday convicted by a special CBI court in the 1996 fodder scam case along with 14 others co-accused in the case. Lalu Prasad Yadav was taken into custody immediately after the verdict and sent to a jail in Ranchi. Former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra, who was also a co-accused, has been acquitted along with seven others. J&K: 3 soldiers killed in Pakistan ceasefire violation in Keri At least three Indian soldiers, including a senior officer, were on Saturday killed in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan at the Keri (120 Infantry Brigade) Battalion area of Jammu and Kashmir. A soldier has also been injured in the firing and is undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Bus falls into river in Rajasthan, death toll rises to 32 At least 32 people have died and several injured after a bus fell into the Banas river in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur area, District Magistrate KC Varma said. All injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The incident occurred in Swai Madhopur's Dubi area. Bhopal gang-rape: Four accused sentenced to life imprisonment The four men accused of raping a 19-year-old woman in Bhopal in October were sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast track court on Saturday. The additional district and session judge Savita Dube reportedly gave the verdict. Delhi: Fire at Metro Hospital, minor injuries to patients A fire broke out at New Delhi's Metro Hospital and Cancer Institute in Preet Vihar on Saturday afternoon but was brought under control by evening. A few patients suffered minor injuries. Around 84 patients were evacuated. A senior police official said that the fire started in an air conditioning vent and then spread to other floors.

WION evening news brief, December 23, 2017

<p>A Rajasthan man reportedly set his two wives on fire for not keeping his mother happy, news reports said Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deepa Ram, from Rajasthan, told his two wives -- Daria Devi (25) and Mali Devi (27) -- he was buying them jewellery and got them to get into his car.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the way, he quarrelled with them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the wives got out of the car but he pushed her back in, and drove on.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;In the moving car, he quarrelled with them. As the car lost balance, he stopped,&rdquo; PTI reported Additional SP Jalore Binja Ram said.</p>

<p>Deepa Ram then got out of the car, locked it and set it on fire.</p>

<p>Both wives were charred to death, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police reported Deepa Ram as saying he had been unhappy with his wives for not keeping his mother happy.</p>

<p>Police added that Ram, who is the father of three children, later confessed to the crime and was arrested.&nbsp;</p>


Deepa Ram, from Rajasthan, told his two wives -- Daria Devi (25) and Mali Devi (27) -- he was buying them jewellery and got them to get into his car

A Rajasthan man reportedly set his two wives on fire for not keeping his mother happy, news reports said Wednesday. Deepa Ram, from Rajasthan, told his two wives -- Daria Devi (25) and Mali Devi (27) -- he was buying them jewellery and got them to get into his car. On the way, he quarrelled with them. One of the wives got out of the car but he pushed her back in, and drove on. “In the moving car, he quarrelled with them. As the car lost balance, he stopped,” PTI reported Additional SP Jalore Binja Ram said. Deepa Ram then got out of the car, locked it and set it on fire. Both wives were charred to death, reports said. Police reported Deepa Ram as saying he had been unhappy with his wives for not keeping his mother happy. Police added that Ram, who is the father of three children, later confessed to the crime and was arrested.

Rajasthan: Man sets wives on fire for not keeping his mother happy

<p>Indian and British troops were briefed about special heliborne operations on Saturday by the representatives of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the ongoing joint Indo-UK military exercise &#39;Ajeya Warrior-2017&#39;.</p>

<p>The troops later rehearsed in mounting and dismounting drill, which was followed by the actual practice of intended target area.</p>

<p>The training contingents comprise of one company (approximately 120 personnel) strength each from 20th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles from the Indian Army and a similar strength from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment of the British Army.</p>

<p>The two-week training exercise between the Indian Army and the British Army kicked off in Rajasthan&#39;s Thar Desert on December 1 and will conclude on December 14.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Training exercise of Indian and British troops earlier today at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan under Ajeya Warrior- 2017 combined military exercise. (Source: Ministry of Defence) <a href="https://t.co/6qiS1cI7wK">pic.twitter.com/6qiS1cI7wK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939548277179006977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ajeya Warrior 2017: Indian &amp; British troops were briefed about special heliborne operations by reps of Indian Air Force &amp; were taught methods of insertions. Troops were rehearsed in mounting and dismounting which was followed by actual practice of intended target area. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajasthan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajasthan</a> <a href="https://t.co/qyRS5nXMTM">pic.twitter.com/qyRS5nXMTM</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939542811883446272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The two-week training exercise between the Indian Army and the British Army kicked off in Rajasthan's Thar Desert on December 1 and will conclude on December 14

Indian and British troops were briefed about special heliborne operations on Saturday by the representatives of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during the ongoing joint Indo-UK military exercise 'Ajeya Warrior-2017'. The troops later rehearsed in mounting and dismounting drill, which was followed by the actual practice of intended target area. The training contingents comprise of one company (approximately 120 personnel) strength each from 20th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles from the Indian Army and a similar strength from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment of the British Army. The two-week training exercise between the Indian Army and the British Army kicked off in Rajasthan's Thar Desert on December 1 and will conclude on December 14. #WATCH: Training exercise of Indian and British troops earlier today at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan under Ajeya Warrior- 2017 combined military exercise. (Source: Ministry of Defence) pic.twitter.com/6qiS1cI7wK — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 × Ajeya Warrior 2017: Indian & British troops were briefed about special heliborne operations by reps of Indian Air Force & were taught methods of insertions. Troops were rehearsed in mounting and dismounting which was followed by actual practice of intended target area. #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/qyRS5nXMTM — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 ×

Ajeya Warrior 2017: Indian, British troops briefed on heliborne operations

<p>The Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/man-burnt-alive-in-rajasthans-rajsamand-in-suspected-case-of-love-jihad-26095" target="_blank">man who was burnt alive </a>in a case of suspected &#39;love jihad&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The announcement comes after the&nbsp;police recently recovered a partly burnt body of a man in Rajasthan&#39;s Rajsamand.</p>

<p>The victim was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man is suspected to be a victim of &quot;Love Jihad&quot;.</p>

<p>The police have stated that the victim was burnt alive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A&nbsp;video had emerged on social media in which a resident of Rajsamand was seen beating the victim&nbsp;Afrazul. In the video, he is initially seen hitting the victim with an axe. Later, pouring kerosene on his body and burning him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The man is also heard as saying &#39;&#39;those who indulge in &#39;love jihad&#39; will be met with same fate.&#39;&#39;</p>

<p>Accused has been arrested and a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate in the case.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The man is suspected to be a victim of 'Love Jihad'

The Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the man who was burnt alive in a case of suspected 'love jihad'. The announcement comes after the police recently recovered a partly burnt body of a man in Rajasthan's Rajsamand. The victim was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal. The man is suspected to be a victim of "Love Jihad". The police have stated that the victim was burnt alive. A video had emerged on social media in which a resident of Rajsamand was seen beating the victim Afrazul. In the video, he is initially seen hitting the victim with an axe. Later, pouring kerosene on his body and burning him. The man is also heard as saying ''those who indulge in 'love jihad' will be met with same fate.'' Accused has been arrested and a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate in the case.

Rajasthan government announces Rs 5 lakh compensation for man burnt alive

<p>West Bengal government officials met on Saturday with the family members of the man who was burnt to death in Rajasthan&#39;s Rajsamand.</p>

<p>The officials visited the victim&#39;s residence in Malda, gave his wife a widow&#39;s pension and assured employment to his next of kin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/topic/rajasthan-government-announces-rs-5-lakh-compensat" target="_blank">compensation of Rs 5 lakh</a> for the family of the man who was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal. Afrazul was reportedly burnt to death because his attacker accused him of &#39;love jihad&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">West Bengal: State government officials met family of man burnt to death in Rajasthan&#39;s Rajsamand, at their residence in Malda; provided widow pension to deceased&#39;s wife &amp; assured employment to kin <a href="https://t.co/TiYGYpKCiq">pic.twitter.com/TiYGYpKCiq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939510562345459712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A video of the incident went viral on social media showing Afrazul getting beaten by a local resident who is now arrested.</p>

<p>Afrazul is first seen getting hit with an axe and is later set on fire.</p>

<p>The accused is heard saying, &#39;&#39;those who indulge in &#39;love jihad&#39; will be met with the same fate,&#39;&#39; in the video.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A special investigation team (SIT) investigates the case at present.</p>


Mohammed Afrazul's next of kin were assured of employment

West Bengal government officials met on Saturday with the family members of the man who was burnt to death in Rajasthan's Rajsamand. The officials visited the victim's residence in Malda, gave his wife a widow's pension and assured employment to his next of kin. Rajasthan government on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the man who was identified as Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant from Malda, West Bengal. Afrazul was reportedly burnt to death because his attacker accused him of 'love jihad'. West Bengal: State government officials met family of man burnt to death in Rajasthan's Rajsamand, at their residence in Malda; provided widow pension to deceased's wife & assured employment to kin pic.twitter.com/TiYGYpKCiq — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2017 × A video of the incident went viral on social media showing Afrazul getting beaten by a local resident who is now arrested. Afrazul is first seen getting hit with an axe and is later set on fire. The accused is heard saying, ''those who indulge in 'love jihad' will be met with the same fate,'' in the video. A special investigation team (SIT) investigates the case at present.

Man burnt alive in Rajasthan: Bengal officials meet victim's widow, offer her pension

<p>Love. The word carries so much worth for me. I am sure it does for you too. As a kid, as a woman, as a mother and as an Indian, the word love remained almost inextricably yet imperceptively linked to my existence. I loved my mother as a child, as a woman I fell in love with more than one man and married the one I loved the most, I love my son so much that I feel my heart would burst. Beyond these personal relationships, the feeling of love seeped in my work sphere too. I loved being a teacher, writer and mentor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And, God knows I love my country. I do get goosebumps when I hear the national anthem though I hate to be so emotional.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the word love does not come to me, anymore, in its purest and loveliest form. So much is going on in India in the name of love-the whole politics around it- that the word nowadays causes me anxiety, dismay and anger. When in love, one could give up everything, even one&#39;s life. But now with politicisation of love, it is not anymore a constructive emotion alone which inspired kindest of acts and most beautiful creative works worldwide. Associated with vengeance, love has become an instrument to impose one set of religious identity over others. Instead of acting as an antidote to hatred, love has now become the reason to kill.</p>

<p>This morning, news started pouring in on a Muslim man, Mohammed Afrazul, who has been hacked to death and then burnt for, allegedly, being in a relationship with a Hindu girl. The grotesque video of the heinous act is making its round in the social media. The media thinks that it could be a case of reprisal against inter-faith marriage.</p>

<p>Marriage customs have always been strictly defined in India. Religious norms, caste practices, economic logic are some of the cardinal factors determining who could marry whom. Even Bollywood picked up the theme to make innumerable movies, the most memorable being Mani Ratnam&#39;s Bombay which showed the challenges of interfaith marriage. Then there is Veer-Zara, Bobby, Julie, and Baji Rao Mastani.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While societies across the world have never been too welcoming about defying boundaries in a conjugal relationship, the violence and hatred that we witness in the commonest of people in India on matters of Hindu-Muslim marriage nowadays are unprecedented.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a world torn by terrorism, Jihad has become the most hated and feared word. For the most unfortunate reason, the word Jihad has now been coupled with love to imply marriage with the intention of conversion. Allegedly Muslim right-wing organisations are working towards converting Hindu girls to Islam by encouraging Muslim boys to enter into a relationship with them. There has, however, been no evidence supporting the existence of love jihad in India though.</p>

<p>But the danger of half-baked ideas of cultural nationalism is it can very easily be twisted to create anxiety about the &#39;other&#39;. Culture, in most cases, comes to be interpreted as the religious culture. Anyone who does not fall within the ambit of majoritarian religious identity, therefore, will find it difficult to find an equal place within the scope of the nation-state. The tensed dynamics of majoritarian politics has often contributed to violence against the minorities. The minorities appear as not only different but dangerous-a threat to the purity of the cultural identity of the majority community.</p>

<p>India&#39;s national fabric is very fragile at the moment. If there is so little trust between the nation&#39;s constituent communities, no amount of national anthem singing in public spaces will ensure harmony. Personally, I feel that as a nation we will do better if we rely more on the strength of love as a bonding factor rather than stress on cultural insignias as the mark of distinctiveness from the &#39;other&#39;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The minorities appear as not only different but dangerous-a threat to the purity of the cultural identity of the majority community.

Love. The word carries so much worth for me. I am sure it does for you too. As a kid, as a woman, as a mother and as an Indian, the word love remained almost inextricably yet imperceptively linked to my existence. I loved my mother as a child, as a woman I fell in love with more than one man and married the one I loved the most, I love my son so much that I feel my heart would burst. Beyond these personal relationships, the feeling of love seeped in my work sphere too. I loved being a teacher, writer and mentor. And, God knows I love my country. I do get goosebumps when I hear the national anthem though I hate to be so emotional. But the word love does not come to me, anymore, in its purest and loveliest form. So much is going on in India in the name of love-the whole politics around it- that the word nowadays causes me anxiety, dismay and anger. When in love, one could give up everything, even one's life. But now with politicisation of love, it is not anymore a constructive emotion alone which inspired kindest of acts and most beautiful creative works worldwide. Associated with vengeance, love has become an instrument to impose one set of religious identity over others. Instead of acting as an antidote to hatred, love has now become the reason to kill. This morning, news started pouring in on a Muslim man, Mohammed Afrazul, who has been hacked to death and then burnt for, allegedly, being in a relationship with a Hindu girl. The grotesque video of the heinous act is making its round in the social media. The media thinks that it could be a case of reprisal against inter-faith marriage. Marriage customs have always been strictly defined in India. Religious norms, caste practices, economic logic are some of the cardinal factors determining who could marry whom. Even Bollywood picked up the theme to make innumerable movies, the most memorable being Mani Ratnam's Bombay which showed the challenges of interfaith marriage. Then there is Veer-Zara, Bobby, Julie, and Baji Rao Mastani. While societies across the world have never been too welcoming about defying boundaries in a conjugal relationship, the violence and hatred that we witness in the commonest of people in India on matters of Hindu-Muslim marriage nowadays are unprecedented. In a world torn by terrorism, Jihad has become the most hated and feared word. For the most unfortunate reason, the word Jihad has now been coupled with love to imply marriage with the intention of conversion. Allegedly Muslim right-wing organisations are working towards converting Hindu girls to Islam by encouraging Muslim boys to enter into a relationship with them. There has, however, been no evidence supporting the existence of love jihad in India though. But the danger of half-baked ideas of cultural nationalism is it can very easily be twisted to create anxiety about the 'other'. Culture, in most cases, comes to be interpreted as the religious culture. Anyone who does not fall within the ambit of majoritarian religious identity, therefore, will find it difficult to find an equal place within the scope of the nation-state. The tensed dynamics of majoritarian politics has often contributed to violence against the minorities. The minorities appear as not only different but dangerous-a threat to the purity of the cultural identity of the majority community. India's national fabric is very fragile at the moment. If there is so little trust between the nation's constituent communities, no amount of national anthem singing in public spaces will ensure harmony. Personally, I feel that as a nation we will do better if we rely more on the strength of love as a bonding factor rather than stress on cultural insignias as the mark of distinctiveness from the 'other'. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Why Muhammad has to die for love

<p>The Rajasthan government has made singing of national anthem mandatory in all government and government-aided hostels in the state.</p>

<p>Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said the move would instill a &quot;sense of nationalism&quot; among students.</p>

<p>&quot;Students will sing &#39;Jana Gana Mana&#39; in the morning meeting at 7 am. Hostel wardens will have to be present during such sessions,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The order came into force on November 26, celebrated as the Constitution day.</p>

<p>There are close to 40,000 students in nearly 800 state-run hostels in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>The Jaipur Municipal Corporation had last month started the daily practice of playing the national anthem at the start of the day and the national song in the evening.</p>


Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said the move would instill a 'sense of nationalism' among students

The Rajasthan government has made singing of national anthem mandatory in all government and government-aided hostels in the state. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said the move would instill a "sense of nationalism" among students. "Students will sing 'Jana Gana Mana' in the morning meeting at 7 am. Hostel wardens will have to be present during such sessions," he said. The order came into force on November 26, celebrated as the Constitution day. There are close to 40,000 students in nearly 800 state-run hostels in Rajasthan. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation had last month started the daily practice of playing the national anthem at the start of the day and the national song in the evening.

Rajasthan makes national anthem mandatory in state-run hostels

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