At least 116 people, including mostly women, died in a major stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district on Tuesday. Watch in for more details!

Hathras Stampede: Death toll rises to 116; PM Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath offers condolences

After a deadly stampede during a religious event in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district, the death toll has now risen to 121. Investigation underway to determine accountability for the loss of lives. Watch in for moe details!

Hathras Stampede: Death toll reaches 121, hunt on for 'godman'

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit out at his Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal over his "retirement at 75 years of age" remark referring to Prime Minister Modi stating that the opposition was making all sorts of futile attempts out of desperation to win the general elections.</p>

<p>CM Yogi took to his social media account X and wrote, "The entire propaganda of the opposition has failed in the face of the immense public support that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi ji is receiving from East to West and North to South. Knowing that its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections is certain, the desperate opposition is making futile attempts to launch attack by using the excuse of Modi ji's age."</p>

<p>He then asserted that people of the country already know how PM Modi was dedicated to taking India to new heights and he was the "accepted leader of 140 crore Indians."</p>

<p>"Under the successful leadership of respected Prime Minister Modi ji, the concepts of 'Viksit Bharat, Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat' are being realised. Certainly, in the third term of Modi ji, India will touch new heights towards becoming a global superpower. Modi Ji is the accepted leader of 140 crore Indians and our guardian. We are proud that we are Modi Ji's family members," Yogi added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-urges-india-to-battle-dictatorship-720381">Day after bail, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urges India to battle Modi’s ‘dictatorship’</a></p>

<h2><strong>'Modi ji will become PM of India for third time,' Amit Shah</strong></h2>

<p>Rebuffing Kejriwal's claims that PM Modi was making way for Amit Shah to take over the leadership of the country after he retires, the Union Home Minister stated that there were no such provisions mentioned in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) constitution.</p>

<p>He further exuded confidence asserting that Modi will become the Prime Minister of the country for the third time.</p>

<p>"The people of this country, be it from the East, West, North, South or Northeast, are standing with Modi. All the leaders of the INDI alliance know that we are going to cross 400 seats and Modi ji will become the PM of this country for the third time. That is why they are spreading this type of misconception," Shah said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'Amit Shah will be the PM, if BJP wins' remark, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says "I want to say this to Arvind Kejriwal and company and INDI alliance that nothing as such is mentioned in BJP's constitution. PM Modi is only going to… <a href="https://t.co/eJgCHox2Q7">https://t.co/eJgCHox2Q7</a> <a href="https://t.co/bKJQ4OtMhe">pic.twitter.com/bKJQ4OtMhe</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1789245240320172332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I want to clarify that there is no such provision in the BJP's constitution and Modi ji will lead the country till 2029 and he will also lead the coming elections. There is no good news for the INDI alliance," he added.</p>

<p>Delhi CM Kejriwal during a media briefing on Saturday (May 11) alleged that after PM Modi turns 75 on 17 September 2025 he will make way for Shah and Yogi will be left out in the cold after the Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>"...These people ask the INDIA alliance who will be their Prime Minister. I ask BJP who will be your Prime Minister? PM Modi is turning 75, on 17th September. He made a rule that leaders in the party would retire after 75 years...LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan, and Yashwant Sinha were retired and now PM Modi is going to retire on 17th September...," Kejriwal said.</p>

<p>"If their government is formed, they will first dispose of Yogi Adityanath and then make Amit Shah the Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is asking for votes for Amit Shah. Will Amit Shah fulfil Modi's guarantee?...," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit out at his Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal over his "retirement at 75 years of age" remark referring to Prime Minister Modi stating that the opposition was making all sorts of futile attempts out of desperation to win the general elections.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit out at his Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal over his "retirement at 75 years of age" remark referring to Prime Minister Modi stating that the opposition was making all sorts of futile attempts out of desperation to win the general elections. CM Yogi took to his social media account X and wrote, "The entire propaganda of the opposition has failed in the face of the immense public support that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi ji is receiving from East to West and North to South. Knowing that its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections is certain, the desperate opposition is making futile attempts to launch attack by using the excuse of Modi ji's age." He then asserted that people of the country already know how PM Modi was dedicated to taking India to new heights and he was the "accepted leader of 140 crore Indians." "Under the successful leadership of respected Prime Minister Modi ji, the concepts of 'Viksit Bharat, Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat' are being realised. Certainly, in the third term of Modi ji, India will touch new heights towards becoming a global superpower. Modi Ji is the accepted leader of 140 crore Indians and our guardian. We are proud that we are Modi Ji's family members," Yogi added. Also read: Day after bail, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urges India to battle Modi’s ‘dictatorship’ 'Modi ji will become PM of India for third time,' Amit Shah Rebuffing Kejriwal's claims that PM Modi was making way for Amit Shah to take over the leadership of the country after he retires, the Union Home Minister stated that there were no such provisions mentioned in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) constitution. He further exuded confidence asserting that Modi will become the Prime Minister of the country for the third time. "The people of this country, be it from the East, West, North, South or Northeast, are standing with Modi. All the leaders of the INDI alliance know that we are going to cross 400 seats and Modi ji will become the PM of this country for the third time. That is why they are spreading this type of misconception," Shah said. #WATCH | On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's 'Amit Shah will be the PM, if BJP wins' remark, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says "I want to say this to Arvind Kejriwal and company and INDI alliance that nothing as such is mentioned in BJP's constitution. PM Modi is only going to… https://t.co/eJgCHox2Q7 pic.twitter.com/bKJQ4OtMhe — ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2024 × "I want to clarify that there is no such provision in the BJP's constitution and Modi ji will lead the country till 2029 and he will also lead the coming elections. There is no good news for the INDI alliance," he added. Delhi CM Kejriwal during a media briefing on Saturday (May 11) alleged that after PM Modi turns 75 on 17 September 2025 he will make way for Shah and Yogi will be left out in the cold after the Lok Sabha polls. "...These people ask the INDIA alliance who will be their Prime Minister. I ask BJP who will be your Prime Minister? PM Modi is turning 75, on 17th September. He made a rule that leaders in the party would retire after 75 years...LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan, and Yashwant Sinha were retired and now PM Modi is going to retire on 17th September...," Kejriwal said. "If their government is formed, they will first dispose of Yogi Adityanath and then make Amit Shah the Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is asking for votes for Amit Shah. Will Amit Shah fulfil Modi's guarantee?...," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Yogi slams Kejriwal over remarks on PM Modi, says opposition making 'futile desperate attempts' to win polls

<p>In a major setback to the BJP, the party's Moradabad candidate, Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh passed away on Saturday (Apr 20) after eight Lok Sabha seats in western Uttar Pradesh went into polling on Friday (Apr 19).</p>

<p>Ritesh Gupta, the sitting BJP MLA from Moradabad said that Sarvesh suffered a heart attack after which he was rushed to Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, but couldn't be revived. He was 72.</p>

<p>UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary said that Sarvesh had experienced some issue in his throat&nbsp;and had to undergo an operation.</p>

<p>"He had some problem with his throat and had an operation. Yesterday, he had gone to AIIMS for a check-up," he said.</p>

<p>Sarvesh was one of the 12 candidates who&nbsp;were in the&nbsp;poll fray from Moradabad constituency during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections that took place on Apr 19.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-a-swipe-at-rahul-gandhi-says-congress-sahabzade-will-lose-wayanad-seat-713382">PM Modi takes a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, says Congress' 'sahabzade' will lose Wayanad seat</a></p>

<p>He was the Lok Sabha MP from Moradabad from the year 2014 to 2019. However, he lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to SP's ST Hasan (jointly fielded by the BSP, SP and RLD).</p>

<p>Five-time BJP MLA from Thakurdwara assembly constituency in Moradabad from the year 1991 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2014, Sarvesh is survived by his wife Sadhna Singh, a son and a daughter.</p>

<h2><strong>UP CM Yogi condoles Sarvesh's demise</strong></h2>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over Sarvesh's demise.</p>

<p>He took to his official X handle and said, "I am shocked by the demise of BJP candidate from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency and former MP Kunwar Sarvesh Singh ji. This is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. My condolences are with the bereaved family. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family and their supporters to bear this loss. Om Shanti."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">मुरादाबाद लोकसभा क्षेत्र से भाजपा प्रत्याशी एवं पूर्व सांसद कुंवर सर्वेश सिंह जी के निधन से स्तब्ध हूं। ये भाजपा परिवार के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है।<br />
<br />
मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ हैं।<br />
<br />
प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान तथा…</p>
— Yogi Adityanath (मोदी का परिवार) (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1781702772334694545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kunwar Sarvesh was pitted against Ruchi Veera of the opposition INDIA bloc in the fight for the Moradabad seat.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major setback to the BJP, the party's Moradabad candidate, Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh passed away on Saturday (Apr 20) after eight Lok Sabha seats in western Uttar Pradesh went into polling on Friday (Apr 19).

In a major setback to the BJP, the party's Moradabad candidate, Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh passed away on Saturday (Apr 20) after eight Lok Sabha seats in western Uttar Pradesh went into polling on Friday (Apr 19). Ritesh Gupta, the sitting BJP MLA from Moradabad said that Sarvesh suffered a heart attack after which he was rushed to Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences, but couldn't be revived. He was 72. UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary said that Sarvesh had experienced some issue in his throat and had to undergo an operation. "He had some problem with his throat and had an operation. Yesterday, he had gone to AIIMS for a check-up," he said. Sarvesh was one of the 12 candidates who were in the poll fray from Moradabad constituency during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections that took place on Apr 19. Also read: PM Modi takes a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, says Congress' 'sahabzade' will lose Wayanad seat He was the Lok Sabha MP from Moradabad from the year 2014 to 2019. However, he lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to SP's ST Hasan (jointly fielded by the BSP, SP and RLD). Five-time BJP MLA from Thakurdwara assembly constituency in Moradabad from the year 1991 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2014, Sarvesh is survived by his wife Sadhna Singh, a son and a daughter. UP CM Yogi condoles Sarvesh's demise Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over Sarvesh's demise. He took to his official X handle and said, "I am shocked by the demise of BJP candidate from Moradabad Lok Sabha constituency and former MP Kunwar Sarvesh Singh ji. This is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. My condolences are with the bereaved family. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family and their supporters to bear this loss. Om Shanti." मुरादाबाद लोकसभा क्षेत्र से भाजपा प्रत्याशी एवं पूर्व सांसद कुंवर सर्वेश सिंह जी के निधन से स्तब्ध हूं। ये भाजपा परिवार के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ हैं। प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान तथा… — Yogi Adityanath (मोदी का परिवार) (@myogiadityanath) April 20, 2024 × Kunwar Sarvesh was pitted against Ruchi Veera of the opposition INDIA bloc in the fight for the Moradabad seat. (With inputs from agencies)

Lok Sabha elections 2024: BJP's Moradabad candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar dies day after polling

<p>Hinting at the Krishna Janmabhoomi case, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath said that "in Mahabharat, Krishna asked for five villages to be given to the Pandavs, while Hindus seek just three centres of faith linked to three deities".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chief minister made the statement while addressing the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Wednesday (Feb 7) and quoted Hindu poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's poem 'Krishna Ki Chetavani' from the book 'Rashmirathi'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The comment was made by the chief minister days after the Varanasi court permitted puja inside a Gyanvapi Masjid's cellar and the Archaeological Survey Of India, in an RTI reply, said that the Keshavdev temple in Mathura was demolished by the Mughal king Aurangzeb for constructing a mosque.</p>

<p>The Hindu petitioners in the Krishna Janmabhoomi case have been claiming that Mathura's 17th-century mosque, Shahi Idgah, stands on the place where the birth of Lord Krishna took place. An archaeological survey of the site was recently permitted by the Allahabad High Court.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-celebs-meet-yogi-adityanath-at-ayodhya-airport-see-viral-pic-683017">Viral pic shows Bollywood celebs with UP CM Yogi Adityanath at Ayodhya airport</a></p>

<p>"Injustice was done to Ayodhya. When I talk about injustice, we remember something that happened 5,000 years ago. Lord Krishna asked for half the kingdom from Kauravas and said if that was difficult, then give only five villages to Pandavas. He talked about 5 villages. But here the demand is only for three places that are the centres of our faith," Adityanath said.</p>

<p>"The society, the faith for the past many years, is talking about only three. Only three because these are special places. These are not normal, these are the places where gods incarnated themselves," Yogi said, as he emphasised the importance of resolving the disputes in Kashi and Mathura.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Lord Krishna is now adamant, says Adityanath&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>"When Nandi Baba saw the celebrations in Ayodhya, he was adamant and threw the barricades open at night. Now our Krishna Kanhaiya is adamant," said Adityanath in the Assembly.</p>

<p>"Nandi Baba" is Nandi the celestial bull who is said to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva in Hindu religion.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Ayodhya Ram Mandir: UP CM Yogi Adityanath inspects sand art of Lord Ram</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ayodhya-ram-mandir-up-cm-yogi-adityanath-inspects-sand-art-of-lord-ram-682173/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Speaking about Ram Mandir's grand consecration ceremony, Adityanath said, "I was happy that our Lord has taken his place in the temple. I was happy that the consecration had been done. But I was also happy that we fulfilled our promise, 'mandir' wahin banaya' (built the temple there)."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hinting at the Krishna Janmabhoomi case, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath said that "in Mahabharat, Krishna asked for five villages to be given to the Pandavs, while Hindus seek just three centres of faith linked to three deities".

Hinting at the Krishna Janmabhoomi case, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath said that "in Mahabharat, Krishna asked for five villages to be given to the Pandavs, while Hindus seek just three centres of faith linked to three deities". The chief minister made the statement while addressing the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Wednesday (Feb 7) and quoted Hindu poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar's poem 'Krishna Ki Chetavani' from the book 'Rashmirathi'. The comment was made by the chief minister days after the Varanasi court permitted puja inside a Gyanvapi Masjid's cellar and the Archaeological Survey Of India, in an RTI reply, said that the Keshavdev temple in Mathura was demolished by the Mughal king Aurangzeb for constructing a mosque. The Hindu petitioners in the Krishna Janmabhoomi case have been claiming that Mathura's 17th-century mosque, Shahi Idgah, stands on the place where the birth of Lord Krishna took place. An archaeological survey of the site was recently permitted by the Allahabad High Court. Also Read: Viral pic shows Bollywood celebs with UP CM Yogi Adityanath at Ayodhya airport "Injustice was done to Ayodhya. When I talk about injustice, we remember something that happened 5,000 years ago. Lord Krishna asked for half the kingdom from Kauravas and said if that was difficult, then give only five villages to Pandavas. He talked about 5 villages. But here the demand is only for three places that are the centres of our faith," Adityanath said. "The society, the faith for the past many years, is talking about only three. Only three because these are special places. These are not normal, these are the places where gods incarnated themselves," Yogi said, as he emphasised the importance of resolving the disputes in Kashi and Mathura. Lord Krishna is now adamant, says Adityanath "When Nandi Baba saw the celebrations in Ayodhya, he was adamant and threw the barricades open at night. Now our Krishna Kanhaiya is adamant," said Adityanath in the Assembly. "Nandi Baba" is Nandi the celestial bull who is said to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva in Hindu religion. Watch: Ayodhya Ram Mandir: UP CM Yogi Adityanath inspects sand art of Lord Ram Speaking about Ram Mandir's grand consecration ceremony, Adityanath said, "I was happy that our Lord has taken his place in the temple. I was happy that the consecration had been done. But I was also happy that we fulfilled our promise, 'mandir' wahin banaya' (built the temple there)." (With inputs from agencies)

India: Lord Krishna wanted five villages, Hindus sought only three centres, says Yogi Adityanath

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidTnnPaFktPh1G" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>A massive wedding scam was unearthed in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, according to media reports on Sunday (Feb 4). In Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, more than 200 couples allegedly took part in fake marriages to receive benefits from the state government's Mass Marriage Scheme. Citing officials, a report by India Today said that 568 couples were believed to have been wedded at the event.</p>

<p>However, investigations later uncovered that more than 200 couples were paid to act as brides and grooms. This event took place on Jan 25. Speaking to India Today, a participant, aged 19, said he was offered $24 (Rs 2,000) to sit at the event. But the man said he was not paid.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Brides garland themselves</strong></h2>

<p>A video of the event has gone viral on social media. The video showed several brides garlanding themselves while some grooms were covering up their faces as they sat down for marriage ceremonies.</p>

<h3><strong>Here's a look at the video:</strong></h3>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Marriage without a groom in the Ballia district of UP -<br />
<br />
January 25, 568 couples married under the CM Group Marriage Scheme. A large number of brides were garlanded without the groom.<br />
Many had been married many years ago.<br />
Some were even siblings.<br />
<br />
All this happened to posing as… <a href="https://t.co/lHvzuvEQLS">pic.twitter.com/lHvzuvEQLS</a></p>
— ShoneeKapoor (@ShoneeKapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShoneeKapoor/status/1752930972436213840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>On Jan 29, a probe committee was formed to investigate the matter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by the news agency PTI on Thursday said that many of the participants (fake actors) in the event were already married. Archana, a beneficiary of the state government's mass marriage scheme, was married in June last year. Apart from this, Ranjana Yadav and Suman Chauhan got married in March 2023, Priyanka got married in November 2023, Pooja got married a year ago, Sanju got married three years ago and Ramita got married in July 2023, the report said.</p>

<p>The probe committee said all of them were not eligible for the scheme. Ineligible applicants had applied illegally to get benefits under the scheme by hiding the facts, the committee added.</p>

<p>The PTI report further said that the Social Welfare department’s assistant development officer was negligent in examining the applications that led to this fraud.</p>

<h2><strong>15 arrested including govt officials</strong></h2>

<p>Around 15 people were arrested in this scandal including state government officials. Ballia District Magistrate (DM) Ravindra Kumar said on Thursday, "Two assistant development officers — Sunil Kumar Yadav and Bhanu Pratap of the Social Welfare department — have been arrested along with Ravindra Gupta, Alok Srivastav, Upendra Yadav, Deepak Chauhan, Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Ramji Chauhan, Santosh Yadav, Arjun Verma, Ramnath, Acchelal Verma, Dharmendra Yadav, Gulab Yadav and Sarabjeet Singh of the Social Welfare department."</p>

<p>Kumar said that among the arrested, Sunil Kumar Yadav was mentioned in the case registered and the names of 14 others have come to light during the investigation. Yadav has been suspended.</p>

<p>“Whether those involved in corruption in the matter are officers, employees, or anyone else, no one will be spared and strict action will be taken against them. Such action will be taken against those involved in corruption in the Mass Marriage Scheme that it will become an example for Ballia district,” Kumar told PTI.</p>

<h2><strong>The mass marriage scheme</strong></h2>

<p>The scheme was introduced by the Yogi Adityanath government in Oct 2017. "Under this scheme wedding programs are conducted according to the rituals practiced in various communities and religions. Another objective of the scheme is to abolish the unwanted and extravagance in wedding ceremonies," the social welfare department's website said.</p>

<p>The scheme also covers the re-marriage of widows, abandoned and divorced women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A payment of $614 is made of which $421 goes to the woman, around $120 for purchasing matrimonial materials, and $73 for the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A massive wedding scam was unearthed in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, according to media reports on Sunday (Feb 4). In Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, more than 200 couples allegedly took part in fake marriages to receive benefits from the state government's Mass Marriage Scheme.

A massive wedding scam was unearthed in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, according to media reports on Sunday (Feb 4). In Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, more than 200 couples allegedly took part in fake marriages to receive benefits from the state government's Mass Marriage Scheme. Citing officials, a report by India Today said that 568 couples were believed to have been wedded at the event. However, investigations later uncovered that more than 200 couples were paid to act as brides and grooms. This event took place on Jan 25. Speaking to India Today, a participant, aged 19, said he was offered $24 (Rs 2,000) to sit at the event. But the man said he was not paid. Brides garland themselves A video of the event has gone viral on social media. The video showed several brides garlanding themselves while some grooms were covering up their faces as they sat down for marriage ceremonies. Here's a look at the video: Marriage without a groom in the Ballia district of UP - January 25, 568 couples married under the CM Group Marriage Scheme. A large number of brides were garlanded without the groom. Many had been married many years ago. Some were even siblings. All this happened to posing as… pic.twitter.com/lHvzuvEQLS — ShoneeKapoor (@ShoneeKapoor) February 1, 2024 × On Jan 29, a probe committee was formed to investigate the matter. A report by the news agency PTI on Thursday said that many of the participants (fake actors) in the event were already married. Archana, a beneficiary of the state government's mass marriage scheme, was married in June last year. Apart from this, Ranjana Yadav and Suman Chauhan got married in March 2023, Priyanka got married in November 2023, Pooja got married a year ago, Sanju got married three years ago and Ramita got married in July 2023, the report said. The probe committee said all of them were not eligible for the scheme. Ineligible applicants had applied illegally to get benefits under the scheme by hiding the facts, the committee added. The PTI report further said that the Social Welfare department’s assistant development officer was negligent in examining the applications that led to this fraud. 15 arrested including govt officials Around 15 people were arrested in this scandal including state government officials. Ballia District Magistrate (DM) Ravindra Kumar said on Thursday, "Two assistant development officers — Sunil Kumar Yadav and Bhanu Pratap of the Social Welfare department — have been arrested along with Ravindra Gupta, Alok Srivastav, Upendra Yadav, Deepak Chauhan, Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Ramji Chauhan, Santosh Yadav, Arjun Verma, Ramnath, Acchelal Verma, Dharmendra Yadav, Gulab Yadav and Sarabjeet Singh of the Social Welfare department." Kumar said that among the arrested, Sunil Kumar Yadav was mentioned in the case registered and the names of 14 others have come to light during the investigation. Yadav has been suspended. “Whether those involved in corruption in the matter are officers, employees, or anyone else, no one will be spared and strict action will be taken against them. Such action will be taken against those involved in corruption in the Mass Marriage Scheme that it will become an example for Ballia district,” Kumar told PTI. The mass marriage scheme The scheme was introduced by the Yogi Adityanath government in Oct 2017. "Under this scheme wedding programs are conducted according to the rituals practiced in various communities and religions. Another objective of the scheme is to abolish the unwanted and extravagance in wedding ceremonies," the social welfare department's website said. The scheme also covers the re-marriage of widows, abandoned and divorced women. A payment of $614 is made of which $421 goes to the woman, around $120 for purchasing matrimonial materials, and $73 for the event. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive wedding fraud in India’s UP: Brides garland themselves, 200+ fake marriages held. Here’s what happened

<p>It was a historic day for Indians on January 22 when the Ram Mandir was inaugurated and the Ram Lalla idol was unveiled for the world to see in the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Ace filmmaker Subhash Ghai along with other stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Jackie Shroff, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and many others made their presence felt at the consecration ceremony.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the ceremony was over, all the Bollywood celebrities made their way to the newly-built Ayodhya airport to fly back to Mumbai. As they waited in the lounge of the airport, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid them a surprise visit.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Bollywood Celebs with Yogi Adityanath</strong></h2>

<p>Subhash Ghai shared a picture with Yogi and other actors and filmmakers who made their way to Ayodhya’s Valmiki airport. He shared a picture where we can spot Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit, Sriram Nene, Rohit Shetty and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ram-mandir-consecration-bollywood-celebrities-arrive-for-the-historic-pran-pratishtha-682380">Ram Mandir consecration: Bollywood celebrities at historic 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony</a></p>

<p>He captioned the photo: “Surprise visit of #shri yogi Adityanath ji to visit our waiting lounge at Valmiki Ayodhya airport to pay his thanks to filmdom for participating in Pran PRATISHTHA we felt blessed to have darshan of Shree Ram Lalla yesterday followed by an inspiring spiritual speech. Jai Shree Ram (sic).”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cHGgropnu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cHGgropnu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cHGgropnu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<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 href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cHGgropnu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Subhash Ghai also shared a picture with Amitabh Bachchan as the two attended the Ram Mandir event. He captioned the photo, "When two old friends meet n click a picture together -. World lit up with a feel of inner joy."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cqi-tosTo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cqi-tosTo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cqi-tosTo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<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 href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2cqi-tosTo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>All the stars in Ayodhya</strong></h2>

<p>Several celebs attended Ayodhya's Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Several videos and pictures of superstars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan and Kangana Ranaut, among others, celebrating the event have gone viral on social media.</p>


It was a historic day for Indians on January 22 when the Ram Mandir was inaugurated and the Ram Lalla idol was unveiled for the world to see in the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

It was a historic day for Indians on January 22 when the Ram Mandir was inaugurated and the Ram Lalla idol was unveiled for the world to see in the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Ace filmmaker Subhash Ghai along with other stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Jackie Shroff, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and many others made their presence felt at the consecration ceremony. After the ceremony was over, all the Bollywood celebrities made their way to the newly-built Ayodhya airport to fly back to Mumbai. As they waited in the lounge of the airport, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid them a surprise visit. Bollywood Celebs with Yogi Adityanath Subhash Ghai shared a picture with Yogi and other actors and filmmakers who made their way to Ayodhya’s Valmiki airport. He shared a picture where we can spot Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit, Sriram Nene, Rohit Shetty and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Ram Mandir consecration: Bollywood celebrities at historic 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony He captioned the photo: “Surprise visit of #shri yogi Adityanath ji to visit our waiting lounge at Valmiki Ayodhya airport to pay his thanks to filmdom for participating in Pran PRATISHTHA we felt blessed to have darshan of Shree Ram Lalla yesterday followed by an inspiring spiritual speech. Jai Shree Ram (sic).” View this post on Instagram A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1) × Subhash Ghai also shared a picture with Amitabh Bachchan as the two attended the Ram Mandir event. He captioned the photo, "When two old friends meet n click a picture together -. World lit up with a feel of inner joy." View this post on Instagram A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1) × All the stars in Ayodhya Several celebs attended Ayodhya's Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Several videos and pictures of superstars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan and Kangana Ranaut, among others, celebrating the event have gone viral on social media.

Viral pic shows Bollywood celebs with UP CM Yogi Adityanath at Ayodhya airport

<p>Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, said on Monday (Jan 22) that now the holy city of Ayodhya "won't echo with gunshots" or "witness curfew" as he addressed gathering after the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled at Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple. CM Adityanath recalled the centuries-long struggle to make this day a reality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alluding to the fatal firing on 'kar sevaks' (devotees) during the Ram Temple Movement,&nbsp;the chief minister said, "Bullets will never be fired here now. Instead, Ram devotees will get laddoos." He added that, "Now no one will dare to stop the Panchkosi, 14 Kosi and 84 Kosi parikrama in Ayodhya."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Now there will be Deepotsav and Ramotsav here. Shri Ram's name 'Sankirtan' will echo in the streets because the establishment of Ram Lalla here is the announcement of Ram Rajya," Adityanath&nbsp;said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that his soul feels happy as the temple has been constructed at the same place for which the resolution was taken by generations of devotees.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-ram-mandir-inauguration-key-takeaways-from-pm-modis-address-682479">Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Key takeaways from PM Modi's address</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>He also lauded the government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the development of Ayodhya in terms of infrastructural work, connectivity and other developmental works.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I cannot find words to express my feelings. I am overwhelmed with emotions and I am sure you all are feeling the same. Today, on this auspicious occasion, every city and every village is Ayodhya Dham and every road in the nation today leads towards Ayodhya," said CM Yogi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Everyone has Lord Ram in their mind, and their eyes are filled with tears of joy and satisfaction. This is a proud day for India. This is the beginning of 'Ram Rajya'. It seems we have entered the Treta Yuga," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is probably the first unique instance where a majority section of the society in their own country had to battle at so many levels for the construction of temple at the birthplace of their own deity," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch his address here:</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "Now the streets of Ayodhya won't echo with gunshots. There will be no curfew. Now there will be Deepotsav and Ramotsav here. Shri Ram's name 'Sankirtan' will echo in the streets because the establishment of Ram Lalla here is the… <a href="https://t.co/Kigqt3UVVm">pic.twitter.com/Kigqt3UVVm</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1749351073729679550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-pm-modi-showers-petals-on-workers-who-constructed-ram-mandir-682494">PM Modi showers petals on workers who constructed Ram Mandir</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Unveiling of Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>On Monday, the magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was unveiled with thousands gathered to celebrate the auspicious day. It is constructed in a traditional Nagara style and its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width is 250 feet and height is 161 feet; and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the rituals at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum of the grand temple.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, said on Monday (Jan 22) that now the holy city of Ayodhya "won't echo with gunshots" or "witness curfew" as he addressed gathering after the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled at Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple.

Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, said on Monday (Jan 22) that now the holy city of Ayodhya "won't echo with gunshots" or "witness curfew" as he addressed gathering after the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled at Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple. CM Adityanath recalled the centuries-long struggle to make this day a reality. Alluding to the fatal firing on 'kar sevaks' (devotees) during the Ram Temple Movement, the chief minister said, "Bullets will never be fired here now. Instead, Ram devotees will get laddoos." He added that, "Now no one will dare to stop the Panchkosi, 14 Kosi and 84 Kosi parikrama in Ayodhya." "Now there will be Deepotsav and Ramotsav here. Shri Ram's name 'Sankirtan' will echo in the streets because the establishment of Ram Lalla here is the announcement of Ram Rajya," Adityanath said. He added that his soul feels happy as the temple has been constructed at the same place for which the resolution was taken by generations of devotees. Also read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Key takeaways from PM Modi's address He also lauded the government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the development of Ayodhya in terms of infrastructural work, connectivity and other developmental works. "I cannot find words to express my feelings. I am overwhelmed with emotions and I am sure you all are feeling the same. Today, on this auspicious occasion, every city and every village is Ayodhya Dham and every road in the nation today leads towards Ayodhya," said CM Yogi. "Everyone has Lord Ram in their mind, and their eyes are filled with tears of joy and satisfaction. This is a proud day for India. This is the beginning of 'Ram Rajya'. It seems we have entered the Treta Yuga," he added. "Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is probably the first unique instance where a majority section of the society in their own country had to battle at so many levels for the construction of temple at the birthplace of their own deity," he said. Watch his address here: #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "Now the streets of Ayodhya won't echo with gunshots. There will be no curfew. Now there will be Deepotsav and Ramotsav here. Shri Ram's name 'Sankirtan' will echo in the streets because the establishment of Ram Lalla here is the… pic.twitter.com/Kigqt3UVVm — ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024 × Also read: PM Modi showers petals on workers who constructed Ram Mandir Unveiling of Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple On Monday, the magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir was unveiled with thousands gathered to celebrate the auspicious day. It is constructed in a traditional Nagara style and its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width is 250 feet and height is 161 feet; and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, gods, and goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the rituals at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in the sanctum sanctorum of the grand temple. (With inputs from agencies)

UP CM Yogi Adityanath says Ayodhya ‘won’t echo with gunshots’ now, nor ‘witness curfew’

<p>As the highly celebrated consecration of the Ram Temple approaches, Ayodhya temple city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is set to witness the arrival of a hundred chartered planes on January 22 at the newly inaugurated international airport, as announced by&nbsp;state chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Among the distinguished guests invited to the Ram Temple inauguration are prominent politicians, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and thousands of others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming celebrations on 'Pran Partishtha Day,' Chief Minister Adityanath said, "Around 100 chartered planes will land at the Ayodhya airport on 22nd January to attend the ceremony of the Ram Temple. This will also show us the path of checking the potential of the Ayodhya airport."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/video-airline-passengers-dressed-as-lord-ram-hanuman-on-first-flight-to-ayodhya-679134">Airline passengers dressed as Lord Ram, Hanuman on first flight to Ayodhya</a></p>

<p>CM also thanked PM Modi for inaugurating the fourth international airport in Uttar Pradesh, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, on December 30.</p>

<p>The airport, inspired by the grandeur of the Ram temple, has already commenced operations, with the first flight from Gujarat to Ayodhya taking off on January 11. Flights connecting Ayodhya and the Indian capital of Delhi started on December 30.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-temple-four-prominent-shankaracharyas-to-skip-inauguration-in-ayodhya-heres-why-679054">Ram Temple: Four prominent Shankaracharyas to skip inauguration in Ayodhya. Here’s why</a></p>

<p>The airport will increase connectivity and increase tourism in the holy city.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjBxtCp7taDAxVar1YBHSE3Dj8QxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/first-solar-opens-factory-near-chennai-to-make-solar-panels-679138" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/first-solar-opens-factory-near-chennai-to-make-solar-panels-679138&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjBxtCp7taDAxVar1YBHSE3Dj8QxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">First Solar opens factory near Chennai to make solar panels</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/first-solar-opens-factory-near-chennai-to-make-solar-panels-679138/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>In its initial phase, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport can accommodate 10 lakh passengers annually.</p>

<p>With the completion of the second phase, the airport is expected to serve 60 lakh commuters annually.</p>

<p>Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia revealed plans for the expansion of aviation infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, with five more airports in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot set to be inaugurated next year.</p>

<p>Scindia further said, “Uttar Pradesh had only six airports in 2014, and now the state has 10 airports, including Ayodhya Airport. By the next year, UP will have 5 more airports. One airport each in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot will be inaugurated in the next month. An international-level airport will also be ready in Jewar by the end of this year."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


As the highly celebrated consecration of the Ram Temple approaches, Ayodhya temple city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is set to witness the arrival of a hundred chartered planes on January 22 at the newly inaugurated international airport, as announced by state chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

As the highly celebrated consecration of the Ram Temple approaches, Ayodhya temple city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is set to witness the arrival of a hundred chartered planes on January 22 at the newly inaugurated international airport, as announced by state chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Among the distinguished guests invited to the Ram Temple inauguration are prominent politicians, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and thousands of others. Expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming celebrations on 'Pran Partishtha Day,' Chief Minister Adityanath said, "Around 100 chartered planes will land at the Ayodhya airport on 22nd January to attend the ceremony of the Ram Temple. This will also show us the path of checking the potential of the Ayodhya airport." Also Read | Airline passengers dressed as Lord Ram, Hanuman on first flight to Ayodhya CM also thanked PM Modi for inaugurating the fourth international airport in Uttar Pradesh, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, on December 30. The airport, inspired by the grandeur of the Ram temple, has already commenced operations, with the first flight from Gujarat to Ayodhya taking off on January 11. Flights connecting Ayodhya and the Indian capital of Delhi started on December 30. Also Read | Ram Temple: Four prominent Shankaracharyas to skip inauguration in Ayodhya. Here’s why The airport will increase connectivity and increase tourism in the holy city. Watch | First Solar opens factory near Chennai to make solar panels × In its initial phase, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport can accommodate 10 lakh passengers annually. With the completion of the second phase, the airport is expected to serve 60 lakh commuters annually. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia revealed plans for the expansion of aviation infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, with five more airports in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot set to be inaugurated next year. Scindia further said, “Uttar Pradesh had only six airports in 2014, and now the state has 10 airports, including Ayodhya Airport. By the next year, UP will have 5 more airports. One airport each in Azamgarh, Aligarh, Moradabad, Shravasti, and Chitrakoot will be inaugurated in the next month. An international-level airport will also be ready in Jewar by the end of this year." (With inputs from agencies)

Ram Mandir consecration: 100 chartered planes to land at Ayodhya airport on January 22

In Pics | CM Yogi Adityanath celebrates Dev Deepawali with various diplomats and ambassadors at Varanasi

<p>Indian state of&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;has issued a statewide prohibition on halal-certified products. This decision followed the registration of a case by Lucknow Police against certain organisations for allegedly providing counterfeit certificates to retailers, media reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The official order declared&nbsp;an immediate ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items in the state. It cited concerns for public health as the reason and did not specifically mention details of the case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of halal certified edible items is banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect,” the official order read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A separate decree specified&nbsp;that legal action would be taken against pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetic products displaying halal certification.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/naked-bodies-of-russian-couple-found-in-indias-himachal-pradesh-probe-on-660125">Naked bodies of Russian couple found in India's Himachal Pradesh, probe on</a></p>

<h2><strong>What is the case?&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The case registered by Lucknow Police targeted Halal India Private Limited (Chennai), Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust (New Delhi), Halal Council of India (Mumbai), and Jamiat Ullema (Mumbai).</p>

<p>The complaint, filed by one Shailendra Kumar Sharma, alleged&nbsp;a potential large-scale conspiracy to diminish the sales of non-halal-certified products. It also said that this posed concerns about the involvement of anti-social and anti-national elements.</p>

<p>The complainant also contended that halal certificates are being issued for vegetarian products, where such certification is unnecessary. It added that this indicated a criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products.</p>

<p>Furthermore, it is alleged that the promotion of halal certification is being used as a guise for propaganda within a specific section of society, discouraging the use of products lacking a halal certificate.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-minister-goyal-urges-global-leaders-to-take-climate-action-as-opportunity-not-burden-660052">Indian minister Piyush Goyal urges global leaders to take climate action as opportunity, not burden</a></p>

<p>Expressing worry about disproportionate profits being amassed by individuals involved in this scheme, the complaint&nbsp;by Kumar suggested the possibility of funds being channeled towards supporting terrorist organisations and anti-nationals.</p>

<p>The registered case involved charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, extortion, cheating, forgery, and statements conducing to public mischief.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-asias-air-pollution-woes-659934">South Asia's air pollution woes</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-asias-air-pollution-woes-659934/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Terming the complaint "baseless", Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust in a statement said that it will take appropriate legal measures.&nbsp;"We adhere to government regulations, as emphasised in the Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry notification, requiring all halal certification bodies to be registered by NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under Quality Council of India), a milestone that Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Halal Trust has achieved," it said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has issued a statewide prohibition on halal-certified products. This decision followed the registration of a case by Lucknow Police against certain organisations for allegedly providing counterfeit certificates to retailers, media reports said.

Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has issued a statewide prohibition on halal-certified products. This decision followed the registration of a case by Lucknow Police against certain organisations for allegedly providing counterfeit certificates to retailers, media reports said. The official order declared an immediate ban on the production, storage, distribution, and sale of halal-certified edible items in the state. It cited concerns for public health as the reason and did not specifically mention details of the case. “In the interest of public health, production, storing, distribution and sale of halal certified edible items is banned in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect,” the official order read. A separate decree specified that legal action would be taken against pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetic products displaying halal certification. Also Read | Naked bodies of Russian couple found in India's Himachal Pradesh, probe on What is the case? The case registered by Lucknow Police targeted Halal India Private Limited (Chennai), Jamiat Ullema Hind Halal Trust (New Delhi), Halal Council of India (Mumbai), and Jamiat Ullema (Mumbai). The complaint, filed by one Shailendra Kumar Sharma, alleged a potential large-scale conspiracy to diminish the sales of non-halal-certified products. It also said that this posed concerns about the involvement of anti-social and anti-national elements. The complainant also contended that halal certificates are being issued for vegetarian products, where such certification is unnecessary. It added that this indicated a criminal conspiracy targeting a specific community and its products. Furthermore, it is alleged that the promotion of halal certification is being used as a guise for propaganda within a specific section of society, discouraging the use of products lacking a halal certificate. Also Read | Indian minister Piyush Goyal urges global leaders to take climate action as opportunity, not burden Expressing worry about disproportionate profits being amassed by individuals involved in this scheme, the complaint by Kumar suggested the possibility of funds being channeled towards supporting terrorist organisations and anti-nationals. The registered case involved charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups, uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, extortion, cheating, forgery, and statements conducing to public mischief. Watch | South Asia's air pollution woes × Terming the complaint "baseless", Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust in a statement said that it will take appropriate legal measures. "We adhere to government regulations, as emphasised in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry notification, requiring all halal certification bodies to be registered by NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under Quality Council of India), a milestone that Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Halal Trust has achieved," it said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Uttar Pradesh govt bans Halal-certified edible items in state with immediate effect

<p>Speaking at the 'Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya' event, Yogi Adityanath said, "Sanatana Dharma is the only religion, the rest are all sects and methods of worship. Sanatan is the religion of humanity and if it is attacked, then there will be a crisis for humanity across the globe".</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister&nbsp;Yogi addressed the final session, which marked the conclusion of the seven-day 'Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya' held at the Gorakhnath Temple.</p>

<p>The event was held in remembrance of the 54th death anniversary of Mahant Digvijay Nath and the 9th death anniversary of the national saint Mahant Avaidyanath.</p>

<p>CM Yogi further stressed the importance of having an open mindset to understand the essence of Shrimad Bhagwat's narrow-minded perspectives and struggle to comprehend its vastness.</p>

<p>"The story of Bhagwat is boundless and cannot be confined to specific days or hours. It flows endlessly, and devotees continuously absorb its essence into their lives,"&nbsp;Yogi added.</p>

<p>Earlier on Monday, Yogi Adityanath said, "The needs of the country and society are the priority of a saint. Mahant Digvijaynath ji was one such saint. He fought against the challenges of his time."</p>

<p>The Chief Minister added that Mahant Digvijaynath belonged to the Rana clan of Mewar, Rajasthan, who dedicated his life to the motherland while fighting for the self-respect of the country. He tried to do something new for society by getting involved in many religious and political rituals here.</p>

<p>The Chief Minister added further: "Mahant Digvijaynath ji, after joining Gorakshpeeth, first laid emphasis on education and established Maharana Pratap Education Council. To imbue the young generation with nationalism, he expanded his institutions. The Education Council established by him has contributed to the establishment of a university and has established its own university. Besides, by establishing four dozen educational training institutes, it is working to prepare the young generation to tackle challenges related to the nation and society."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


Speaking at the 'Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya' event, Yogi Adityanath said, "Sanatana Dharma is the only religion, the rest are all sects and methods of worship.

Speaking at the 'Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya' event, Yogi Adityanath said, "Sanatana Dharma is the only religion, the rest are all sects and methods of worship. Sanatan is the religion of humanity and if it is attacked, then there will be a crisis for humanity across the globe". Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi addressed the final session, which marked the conclusion of the seven-day 'Shrimad Bhagwat Katha Gyan Yagya' held at the Gorakhnath Temple. The event was held in remembrance of the 54th death anniversary of Mahant Digvijay Nath and the 9th death anniversary of the national saint Mahant Avaidyanath. CM Yogi further stressed the importance of having an open mindset to understand the essence of Shrimad Bhagwat's narrow-minded perspectives and struggle to comprehend its vastness. "The story of Bhagwat is boundless and cannot be confined to specific days or hours. It flows endlessly, and devotees continuously absorb its essence into their lives," Yogi added. Earlier on Monday, Yogi Adityanath said, "The needs of the country and society are the priority of a saint. Mahant Digvijaynath ji was one such saint. He fought against the challenges of his time." The Chief Minister added that Mahant Digvijaynath belonged to the Rana clan of Mewar, Rajasthan, who dedicated his life to the motherland while fighting for the self-respect of the country. He tried to do something new for society by getting involved in many religious and political rituals here. The Chief Minister added further: "Mahant Digvijaynath ji, after joining Gorakshpeeth, first laid emphasis on education and established Maharana Pratap Education Council. To imbue the young generation with nationalism, he expanded his institutions. The Education Council established by him has contributed to the establishment of a university and has established its own university. Besides, by establishing four dozen educational training institutes, it is working to prepare the young generation to tackle challenges related to the nation and society." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sanatana Dharma is the only religion, rest all sects, methods of worship, says Yogi Adityanath

<p>A man who was the admin of a WhatsApp group was arrested in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (August 5) after an alleged 'derogatory' comment about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The arrest was made in Bhadohi. The police said that the 'derogatory' comment had surfaced on social media.</p>

<p>Kotwali Police Station SHO Ajay Kumar Seth said a comment against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had gone viral on social media on August 4.</p>

<p>The arrested man has been identified as Sahabuddin Ansari, as reported by Press Trust of India (PTI). The report added that the person who posted the 'derogatory' comment was named Muslim Ansari and that he was absconding.</p>

<p>PTI quoted SHO Ajay Kumra Seth who said that police had received the complaint in this matter on August 4 through Twitter. He said that a screenshot of the derogatory comment has been obtained.</p>

<p>On the basis of the complaint, a case was registered against Sahabuddin Ansari and Muslim Ansari under various sections of the IPC, IT Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act.</p>

<p>The police have said that the name of the WhatsApp group is 'Nagar Palika Parishad Bhadohi' which translates to 'Municipal Council of Bhadohi'. Members of the group reportedly include almost all the corporators of Bhadohi's municipal council as well as members of the public. The WhatsApp group was formed with the purpose of addressing the problems faced by the common people.</p>

<p>The police have said that this is not the official group of corporators.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>


A man who was the admin of a WhatsApp group was arrested in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (August 5) after an alleged 'derogatory' comment about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

A man who was the admin of a WhatsApp group was arrested in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (August 5) after an alleged 'derogatory' comment about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The arrest was made in Bhadohi. The police said that the 'derogatory' comment had surfaced on social media. Kotwali Police Station SHO Ajay Kumar Seth said a comment against UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had gone viral on social media on August 4. The arrested man has been identified as Sahabuddin Ansari, as reported by Press Trust of India (PTI). The report added that the person who posted the 'derogatory' comment was named Muslim Ansari and that he was absconding. PTI quoted SHO Ajay Kumra Seth who said that police had received the complaint in this matter on August 4 through Twitter. He said that a screenshot of the derogatory comment has been obtained. On the basis of the complaint, a case was registered against Sahabuddin Ansari and Muslim Ansari under various sections of the IPC, IT Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act. The police have said that the name of the WhatsApp group is 'Nagar Palika Parishad Bhadohi' which translates to 'Municipal Council of Bhadohi'. Members of the group reportedly include almost all the corporators of Bhadohi's municipal council as well as members of the public. The WhatsApp group was formed with the purpose of addressing the problems faced by the common people. The police have said that this is not the official group of corporators. (With inputs from agencies)WATCH WION LIVE HERE × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: WhatsApp group admin held for 'derogatory' comment on Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidZab8l1Wa6ab7" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Atiq Ahmed, the notorious gangster, five-time MLA and once an MP from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was killed on live TV along with his brother Ashraf by a gang of three assassins on Saturday night. The incident took place when Ahmed&nbsp;and&nbsp;his brother Ashraf were being taken for a mandatory medical checkup in the Prayagraj district of the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>No sooner did Ahmed step out of the police car and start&nbsp;addressing the media that three assassins, posing as reporters, took everyone by surprise and&nbsp;pumped bullets into his head from a point-blank range.&nbsp;Before the police could react, several rounds of bullets were fired and Ahmed siblings were lying cold and lifeless on the asphalt. The assassins identified as Lavlesh Tiwari, Arun Maurya and Sunny threw their weapons and were instantly captured by the police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Though facing criminal charges in myriad cases, Ahmed was brought to Prayagraj from Sabarmati jail in the western Indian state of Gujarat for a hearing in the Umesh Pal murder case. Ahmed and his coterie of gangsters had indulged in the barbaric killing of Pal, who was a key witness in the 2005 Raju Pal murder case, in which Ahmed was charge-sheeted.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The killing of Ahmed has divided the public. While some argue that the gangster had it coming for his cauldron of crimes had&nbsp;been filled to the brim, others say it was a win for mobocracy, setting&nbsp;a dangerous precedent as India takes pride in being one of the biggest democracies in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Whatever end of the moral spectrum one finds themselves nestled in, one fact is clear that a gangster who had more than 100 cases lodged against him met a fate that he had predicted long ago. But who was Atiq Ahmed and why did the authorities remain hapless against him all these years?&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The genesis of Atiq Ahmed</strong></h2>

<p>Ahmed first made an impression in the crime alleys&nbsp;of Prayagraj (Allahabad as it was known back then) when he was accused of murder at the age of 17 in 1979. In 1983, the first FIR was registered against him and it was his formal foray into the criminal world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ahmed remained at large from law enforcement authorities, primarily due to his political connections. He first contested the assembly elections from the Allahabad West seat in 1989 and emerged victorious. He went on to win the MLA election&nbsp;for five consecutive times, switching parties twice in between.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Having tasted power as an MLA, Ahmed took a step ahead and contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 on a Samajwadi Party ticket. He fought from Phulpur and secured access to the parliament and became a member of the 14th Lok Sabha. Notably, this was the same seat from where India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru won the general elections, a record three times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When it was pointed out that Ahmed contested from the same seat, he had this to say, “<em>Pandit ji ki tarah hum Naini Jail me bhi rahe hain. Woh kitab likhe wahan, humein apni history-sheet ki wajah se jana pada tha</em>&nbsp;(I have also stayed in Naini jail, like Nehru. There, he penned books and I went because of my history-sheet).”</p>

<p>By this point of time, Ahmed had amassed significant crime credit. However, it was the killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal that would eventually lead to his downfall and his murder which was broadcast&nbsp;live on primetime TV.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/atiq-ahmed-brother-ashraf-ahmed-shot-dead-in-prayagraj-a-day-after-sons-encounter-582837"><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;India: Gangster Atiq Ahmad, brother Ashraf shot dead in Prayagraj, three attackers arrested</strong></a></p>

<p>After becoming a Member of Parliament (MP), Atiq left the assembly seat and gave&nbsp;the ticket to his brother Khalid Azim aka Ashraf. However, his opponent, Raju Pal, an OBC candidate, pitched by BSP, managed to defeat Ashraf.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To settle scores, Atiq launched several deadly attacks&nbsp;on Pal before eventually brutally murdering him in the Dhoomanganj area of the city on January 25, 2005. After court proceedings, both brothers were sent to prison but soon got out due to political affiliations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Atiq's end came just two days after his son Asad Ahmed, accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, was shot dead by the UP Special Task Force (STF) in an encounter in Jhansi.</p>

<p>In one of his meetings with journalists in the early 2000s, Ahmed prophesied that he knew how he would meet his maker.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>"Sab ko pata hota hai anjaam kya hona hai. Kab tak taala ja sakta hai, yeh sab (contesting election) iski hi jaddojahad hai&nbsp;</em>(We all know, as criminals, what will be our fate. Everyday is a struggle to escape this ordeal, and delay the inevitable)," he had philosophised.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-gangster-atiq-ahmed-and-his-brother-shot-dead-by-assailants-in-prayagraj-up-582884"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Indian gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother shot dead by assailants in Prayagraj, UP&nbsp;</strong></a></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-gangster-atiq-ahmed-and-his-brother-shot-dead-by-assailants-in-prayagraj-up-582884/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What next from here?</strong></h2>

<p>Rarely has a killing taken place live on camera with an entire country watching on a late Saturday evening and shocked everyone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It might have been an instant catharsis for people who had been fighting a lost battle against Ahmed for years. As for others, it was another 'normal day' in the reign of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been waging a war against criminals and organised crime.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the meantime, a&nbsp;three-member judicial enquiry committee has been formed to prepare a report on the killing of Atiq and his brother.</p>

<p>Retired Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi of Allahabad High Court, retired IPC officer Subesh Kumar Singh and retired district judge Brijesh Kumar Soni have been included in the panel and ordered to submit a report to the state government in two months.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As of the last update, the three shooters have been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court in Prayagraj.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


Atiq Ahmed, the notorious gangster, five-time MLA and once an MP from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was killed on live TV along with his brother Ashraf by a gang of three assassins on Saturday night.

Atiq Ahmed, the notorious gangster, five-time MLA and once an MP from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh was killed on live TV along with his brother Ashraf by a gang of three assassins on Saturday night. The incident took place when Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were being taken for a mandatory medical checkup in the Prayagraj district of the state. No sooner did Ahmed step out of the police car and start addressing the media that three assassins, posing as reporters, took everyone by surprise and pumped bullets into his head from a point-blank range. Before the police could react, several rounds of bullets were fired and Ahmed siblings were lying cold and lifeless on the asphalt. The assassins identified as Lavlesh Tiwari, Arun Maurya and Sunny threw their weapons and were instantly captured by the police. Though facing criminal charges in myriad cases, Ahmed was brought to Prayagraj from Sabarmati jail in the western Indian state of Gujarat for a hearing in the Umesh Pal murder case. Ahmed and his coterie of gangsters had indulged in the barbaric killing of Pal, who was a key witness in the 2005 Raju Pal murder case, in which Ahmed was charge-sheeted. The killing of Ahmed has divided the public. While some argue that the gangster had it coming for his cauldron of crimes had been filled to the brim, others say it was a win for mobocracy, setting a dangerous precedent as India takes pride in being one of the biggest democracies in the world. Whatever end of the moral spectrum one finds themselves nestled in, one fact is clear that a gangster who had more than 100 cases lodged against him met a fate that he had predicted long ago. But who was Atiq Ahmed and why did the authorities remain hapless against him all these years? The genesis of Atiq Ahmed Ahmed first made an impression in the crime alleys of Prayagraj (Allahabad as it was known back then) when he was accused of murder at the age of 17 in 1979. In 1983, the first FIR was registered against him and it was his formal foray into the criminal world. Ahmed remained at large from law enforcement authorities, primarily due to his political connections. He first contested the assembly elections from the Allahabad West seat in 1989 and emerged victorious. He went on to win the MLA election for five consecutive times, switching parties twice in between. Having tasted power as an MLA, Ahmed took a step ahead and contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 on a Samajwadi Party ticket. He fought from Phulpur and secured access to the parliament and became a member of the 14th Lok Sabha. Notably, this was the same seat from where India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru won the general elections, a record three times. When it was pointed out that Ahmed contested from the same seat, he had this to say, “Pandit ji ki tarah hum Naini Jail me bhi rahe hain. Woh kitab likhe wahan, humein apni history-sheet ki wajah se jana pada tha (I have also stayed in Naini jail, like Nehru. There, he penned books and I went because of my history-sheet).” By this point of time, Ahmed had amassed significant crime credit. However, it was the killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal that would eventually lead to his downfall and his murder which was broadcast live on primetime TV. ALSO READ | India: Gangster Atiq Ahmad, brother Ashraf shot dead in Prayagraj, three attackers arrested After becoming a Member of Parliament (MP), Atiq left the assembly seat and gave the ticket to his brother Khalid Azim aka Ashraf. However, his opponent, Raju Pal, an OBC candidate, pitched by BSP, managed to defeat Ashraf. To settle scores, Atiq launched several deadly attacks on Pal before eventually brutally murdering him in the Dhoomanganj area of the city on January 25, 2005. After court proceedings, both brothers were sent to prison but soon got out due to political affiliations. Atiq's end came just two days after his son Asad Ahmed, accused in the Umesh Pal murder case, was shot dead by the UP Special Task Force (STF) in an encounter in Jhansi. In one of his meetings with journalists in the early 2000s, Ahmed prophesied that he knew how he would meet his maker. "Sab ko pata hota hai anjaam kya hona hai. Kab tak taala ja sakta hai, yeh sab (contesting election) iski hi jaddojahad hai (We all know, as criminals, what will be our fate. Everyday is a struggle to escape this ordeal, and delay the inevitable)," he had philosophised. WATCH | Indian gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother shot dead by assailants in Prayagraj, UP × What next from here? Rarely has a killing taken place live on camera with an entire country watching on a late Saturday evening and shocked everyone. It might have been an instant catharsis for people who had been fighting a lost battle against Ahmed for years. As for others, it was another 'normal day' in the reign of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been waging a war against criminals and organised crime. In the meantime, a three-member judicial enquiry committee has been formed to prepare a report on the killing of Atiq and his brother. Retired Justice Arvind Kumar Tripathi of Allahabad High Court, retired IPC officer Subesh Kumar Singh and retired district judge Brijesh Kumar Soni have been included in the panel and ordered to submit a report to the state government in two months. As of the last update, the three shooters have been sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court in Prayagraj. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | Who was Atiq Ahmed? Indian gangster-turned-politician shot dead on live TV

<p>UP Police’s <strong>Special Task Force (STF)</strong> shot dead the son of <strong>gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed</strong>, Asad Ahmed, in an encounter on Thursday. He was wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case. Umesh Pal was a prime witness in the murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal. Deputy SP Navendu and Deputy SP Vimal led the UPSTF team that fatally shot Asad Ahmed and his companion Ghulam. UP Police allegedly opened fire at the duo when Asad and Ghulam attacked the officials with foreign-made weapons. The duo carried an award of 5 lakh rupees each.</p>

<h2><strong>Who was Asad Ahmed?</strong></h2>

<p>Asad Ahmed was the third son of gangster Atiq Ahmed. He ran afoul of the law in February this year after he was accused of killing&nbsp;Umesh Pal and his two security guards with aides. His two elder brothers had already surrendered in a UP court. As per a report by DNA, Asad Ahmed had taken over the charge of his father’s gang last August.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Asad Ahmed wanted to go abroad after schooling</strong></h2>

<p>Asad Ahmed wanted to go abroad after he completed his schooling in Lucknow. However, his passport was not cleared by the authorities for his family's criminal&nbsp;antecedents. He was good in studies and wanted to become a lawyer, as per a report by Times Now.</p>

<h2><strong>Asad Ahmed murdered Umesh Pal in February</strong></h2>

<p>A CCTV footage had emerged earlier in which Asad Ahmed was seen fatally shooting Umesh Pal,&nbsp;a primary witness in Raju Pal murder case, in which Atiq Ahmed is the main accused. It is believed that Asad took instructions from his jailed father and uncle Ashraf to kill Umesh Pal. In the CCTV footage, he was seen coming out of his SUV car and shooting incessantly at Umesh Pal.</p>

<h2><strong>Umesh Pal’s wife lodged a case against Asad Ahmed</strong></h2>

<p>Umesh Pal’s wife Jaya Pal had lodged an FIR against Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf, Asad, and Ghulam following her husband’s murder. UP police filed separate cases against the accused under sections that deal with riots, homicide, and criminal intimidation.</p>

<h2><strong>UP Chief Minister lauds UPSTF</strong></h2>

<p>CM Yogi Adityanath commended the UP STF for the big accomplishment. He has been presented with a detailed report about the case.</p>

<p>A statement issued by the UP Chief Minister Office (CMO) read, “After the encounter of former MP Atiq Ahmed's son Asad and his aide, CM Yogi Adityanath took a meeting on law and order. CM Yogi praised UP STF as well as DGP, Special DG law and order and the entire team. Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary Home informed the CM about the encounter. A report was placed in front of the chief minister (CM) on this whole matter.”</p>


UP Police’s Special Task Force (STF) shot dead the son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, Asad Ahmed, in an encounter on Thursday. He was wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case.

UP Police’s Special Task Force (STF) shot dead the son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, Asad Ahmed, in an encounter on Thursday. He was wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case. Umesh Pal was a prime witness in the murder case of BSP MLA Raju Pal. Deputy SP Navendu and Deputy SP Vimal led the UPSTF team that fatally shot Asad Ahmed and his companion Ghulam. UP Police allegedly opened fire at the duo when Asad and Ghulam attacked the officials with foreign-made weapons. The duo carried an award of 5 lakh rupees each. Who was Asad Ahmed? Asad Ahmed was the third son of gangster Atiq Ahmed. He ran afoul of the law in February this year after he was accused of killing Umesh Pal and his two security guards with aides. His two elder brothers had already surrendered in a UP court. As per a report by DNA, Asad Ahmed had taken over the charge of his father’s gang last August. Asad Ahmed wanted to go abroad after schooling Asad Ahmed wanted to go abroad after he completed his schooling in Lucknow. However, his passport was not cleared by the authorities for his family's criminal antecedents. He was good in studies and wanted to become a lawyer, as per a report by Times Now. Asad Ahmed murdered Umesh Pal in February A CCTV footage had emerged earlier in which Asad Ahmed was seen fatally shooting Umesh Pal, a primary witness in Raju Pal murder case, in which Atiq Ahmed is the main accused. It is believed that Asad took instructions from his jailed father and uncle Ashraf to kill Umesh Pal. In the CCTV footage, he was seen coming out of his SUV car and shooting incessantly at Umesh Pal. Umesh Pal’s wife lodged a case against Asad Ahmed Umesh Pal’s wife Jaya Pal had lodged an FIR against Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf, Asad, and Ghulam following her husband’s murder. UP police filed separate cases against the accused under sections that deal with riots, homicide, and criminal intimidation. UP Chief Minister lauds UPSTF CM Yogi Adityanath commended the UP STF for the big accomplishment. He has been presented with a detailed report about the case. A statement issued by the UP Chief Minister Office (CMO) read, “After the encounter of former MP Atiq Ahmed's son Asad and his aide, CM Yogi Adityanath took a meeting on law and order. CM Yogi praised UP STF as well as DGP, Special DG law and order and the entire team. Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary Home informed the CM about the encounter. A report was placed in front of the chief minister (CM) on this whole matter.”

Who was Asad Ahmed, and why UP Police shot him dead? CM Yogi Adityanath praises UP STF

<p>A video of an official from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh which is reeling from floods is making rounds on social media and has drawn criticism from many. The official in question is the state’s Ambedkar Nagar District Magistrate (DM), Samuel Paul, who is heard saying that the government is not running a door-to-door service like Zomato, while addressing flood-hit locals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The DM in the clip is referring to India’s restaurant aggregator and food delivery company Zomato which provides door-to-door service. “If you need, you will be provided with chlorine tablets, and a doctor will come to see when one falls sick, this is the reason why flood posts (baadh chowki) are established. We are not running any Zomato service, the government is not running Zomato.”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You will stay at home and expect us to deliver there? The government is not running Zomato service: UP's Ambedkar Nagar District Magistrate Samuel Paul M.<br />
<br />
Video via <a href="https://twitter.com/sengarlive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sengarlive</a><a href="https://t.co/YccvDwQX5a">pic.twitter.com/YccvDwQX5a</a></p>
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/Benarasiyaa/status/1580580200181817345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this week in a high-level meeting the state’s chief minister &nbsp;Yogi Adityanath, ordered to keep the District Control Room operational 24×7 under the Joint Magistrate level officers for relief and rehabilitation work in all the districts affected by heavy rains and floods, the media reported. In the past few days, the state has witnessed heavy rains across several regions and reportedly flood water started to enter people’s homes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The CM also instructed officials in multiple districts including Ambedkar Nagar to stay alert for the possibility of floods. “Immediate help should be provided to the common people in the flood-affected areas. There should be no delay in the distribution of relief packets. There should be adequate arrangements for lighting etc. in relief camps,” said the UP CM in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


A video of an official from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh which is reeling from floods is making rounds on social media and has drawn criticism from many. The official in question is the state’s Ambedkar Nagar District Magistrate (DM), Samuel Paul, who is heard saying that the government is not running a door-to-door service like Zomato, while addressing flood-hit locals.

A video of an official from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh which is reeling from floods is making rounds on social media and has drawn criticism from many. The official in question is the state’s Ambedkar Nagar District Magistrate (DM), Samuel Paul, who is heard saying that the government is not running a door-to-door service like Zomato, while addressing flood-hit locals. The DM in the clip is referring to India’s restaurant aggregator and food delivery company Zomato which provides door-to-door service. “If you need, you will be provided with chlorine tablets, and a doctor will come to see when one falls sick, this is the reason why flood posts (baadh chowki) are established. We are not running any Zomato service, the government is not running Zomato.” You will stay at home and expect us to deliver there? The government is not running Zomato service: UP's Ambedkar Nagar District Magistrate Samuel Paul M. Video via @sengarlivepic.twitter.com/YccvDwQX5a — Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) October 13, 2022 × Earlier this week in a high-level meeting the state’s chief minister Yogi Adityanath, ordered to keep the District Control Room operational 24×7 under the Joint Magistrate level officers for relief and rehabilitation work in all the districts affected by heavy rains and floods, the media reported. In the past few days, the state has witnessed heavy rains across several regions and reportedly flood water started to enter people’s homes. The CM also instructed officials in multiple districts including Ambedkar Nagar to stay alert for the possibility of floods. “Immediate help should be provided to the common people in the flood-affected areas. There should be no delay in the distribution of relief packets. There should be adequate arrangements for lighting etc. in relief camps,” said the UP CM in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

WATCH: ‘Govt is not running Zomato, says district official to flood-hit locals in India, draws criticism

<p>With the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a second term in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, the saffron party broke two political superstitions that dreaded many chief ministers for the past 35 years.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who got around 1,50,000 votes from Gorakhpur (Urban) constituency, ran a high-decibel campaign and defied anti-incumbency predictions amid a devastating Covid pandemic and the farmer protests.</p>

<p>However, his win not only reposed people’s faith in his policies and style of functioning, but it also broke a 35-year-old political superstition that haunted my politicians in the past.</p>

<p><strong>The ‘Noida jinx’</strong></p>

<p>A myth had gained currency among the political circles that any sitting chief minister who visits Noida city in Gautam Budh Nagar district would lose power.</p>

<p>The jinx started with the ouster of then chief minister Vir Bahadur Singh who was forced to resign in 1988, only a few days after he visited Noida.</p>

<p>His successor Narayan Dutt Tiwari also lost power in the 1989 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. He visited Noida as chief minister.</p>

<p>Then in 2012, former CM Mayawati lost power after she visited Noida in 2011 to attend an event, ignoring the jinx.</p>

<p>Akhilesh Yadav later assumed power, but he never went to Noida even once during his tenure.</p>

<p>PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, however, visited Noida to inaugurate Delhi Metro's Magenta Line on December 25, 2017.</p>

<p>Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi scoffed at the Noida jinx saying, “Yogi Adityanath deserves adulation for dismissing superstition that a chief minister should not visit Noida.”</p>

<p><strong>No party ever retained power for two consecutive terms</strong></p>

<p>Another superstition associated with UP is that no political party has ever retained power for two consecutive terms.</p>

<p>However, this superstition was busted on Thursday, and for the first time in 36 years, the chief minister of the ruling party is getting re-elected for the second consecutive term.</p>

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party has won 158 seats and is leading in 96 more constituencies. The main opposition party, Samajwadi Party, is at a distant second securing 61 seats and leading in 51 constituencies.</p>


With the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a second term in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, the saffron party broke two political superstitions that dreaded many chief ministers for the past 35 years.

With the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a second term in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, the saffron party broke two political superstitions that dreaded many chief ministers for the past 35 years. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who got around 1,50,000 votes from Gorakhpur (Urban) constituency, ran a high-decibel campaign and defied anti-incumbency predictions amid a devastating Covid pandemic and the farmer protests. However, his win not only reposed people’s faith in his policies and style of functioning, but it also broke a 35-year-old political superstition that haunted my politicians in the past. The ‘Noida jinx’ A myth had gained currency among the political circles that any sitting chief minister who visits Noida city in Gautam Budh Nagar district would lose power. The jinx started with the ouster of then chief minister Vir Bahadur Singh who was forced to resign in 1988, only a few days after he visited Noida. His successor Narayan Dutt Tiwari also lost power in the 1989 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. He visited Noida as chief minister. Then in 2012, former CM Mayawati lost power after she visited Noida in 2011 to attend an event, ignoring the jinx. Akhilesh Yadav later assumed power, but he never went to Noida even once during his tenure. PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, however, visited Noida to inaugurate Delhi Metro's Magenta Line on December 25, 2017. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi scoffed at the Noida jinx saying, “Yogi Adityanath deserves adulation for dismissing superstition that a chief minister should not visit Noida.” No party ever retained power for two consecutive terms Another superstition associated with UP is that no political party has ever retained power for two consecutive terms. However, this superstition was busted on Thursday, and for the first time in 36 years, the chief minister of the ruling party is getting re-elected for the second consecutive term. The Bharatiya Janata Party has won 158 seats and is leading in 96 more constituencies. The main opposition party, Samajwadi Party, is at a distant second securing 61 seats and leading in 51 constituencies.

UP assembly poll results: CM Adityanath breaks two jinxes that scared many politicians for years

<p>Yogi Adityanath was an unexpected pick for the chief minister’s post after the BJP scored a landslide win in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the Bharatiya Janata Party set for a second consecutive innings in the state, Adityanath is almost certain to get another stint in office.</p>

<p>Born Ajay Singh Bisht in Pauri Garhwal’s Panchur (now Uttarakhand), on June 5, 1972, Adityanath left home in 1990 to join the campaign to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He also became a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath of the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur.</p>

<p>After Avaidyanath’s death in 2014, he took over as the head of the Gorakhnath `math’, a post he still holds and makes frequent trip to the eastern UP town. He was not averse to taking on the BJP then, and founded his own band of volunteers called the Hindu Yuva Vahini.</p>

<p>Adityanath went to school in his native village and later completed his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University.</p>

<p>He had entered politics on the directions of his guru in 1998 and at 28 became the youngest Lok Sabha member, winning from Gorakhpur. He went on the represent the parliamentary seat four more times till he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on March 19, 2017.</p>

<p>Early in his term, he banned illegal slaughterhouses and the police cracked down on cow slaughter.</p>

<p>His government brought an ordinance and later a bill against religious conversion through force or deceit, a move that also seemed to target interfaith marriages.Other BJP-ruled states followed the UP example, coming up with their versions of the law.</p>

<p>Briefly, last year, there was speculation that the BJP wanted to replace Adityanath as chief minister. But the rumours died down with top leaders saying that he needed to be back as CM in 2022 if the party sought to return to power at the Centre in 2024. Party leaders hailed the Adityanath-Narendra Modi ‘double-engine’ government in the state.</p>

<p>The BJP’s 2022 assembly election win may have further consolidated his stock in the party. The saffron party is now set to win the UP state polls twice in a row, a feat achieved by no other party in three decades.</p>

<p>Adityanath has been blamed by some – and hailed by others – for adopting strong-arm tactics to fight crime. “Bulldozers”, used to raze illegal buildings, have figured repeatedly in campaign speeches.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Opposition parties slammed his government over its handling of law and order, alleging that it followed a “thoko niti”. Officials deny the allegation.</p>

<p>During this campaign, he has also been accused of “polarisation” of the state’s two major communities.</p>


Yogi Adityanath was an unexpected pick for the chief minister’s post after the BJP scored a landslide win in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. With the Bharatiya Janata Party set for a second consecutive innings in the state, Adityanath is almost certain to get another stint in office.

Yogi Adityanath was an unexpected pick for the chief minister’s post after the BJP scored a landslide win in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. With the Bharatiya Janata Party set for a second consecutive innings in the state, Adityanath is almost certain to get another stint in office. Born Ajay Singh Bisht in Pauri Garhwal’s Panchur (now Uttarakhand), on June 5, 1972, Adityanath left home in 1990 to join the campaign to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He also became a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath of the Gorakhnath temple in Gorakhpur. After Avaidyanath’s death in 2014, he took over as the head of the Gorakhnath `math’, a post he still holds and makes frequent trip to the eastern UP town. He was not averse to taking on the BJP then, and founded his own band of volunteers called the Hindu Yuva Vahini. Adityanath went to school in his native village and later completed his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. He had entered politics on the directions of his guru in 1998 and at 28 became the youngest Lok Sabha member, winning from Gorakhpur. He went on the represent the parliamentary seat four more times till he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh on March 19, 2017. Early in his term, he banned illegal slaughterhouses and the police cracked down on cow slaughter. His government brought an ordinance and later a bill against religious conversion through force or deceit, a move that also seemed to target interfaith marriages.Other BJP-ruled states followed the UP example, coming up with their versions of the law. Briefly, last year, there was speculation that the BJP wanted to replace Adityanath as chief minister. But the rumours died down with top leaders saying that he needed to be back as CM in 2022 if the party sought to return to power at the Centre in 2024. Party leaders hailed the Adityanath-Narendra Modi ‘double-engine’ government in the state. The BJP’s 2022 assembly election win may have further consolidated his stock in the party. The saffron party is now set to win the UP state polls twice in a row, a feat achieved by no other party in three decades. Adityanath has been blamed by some – and hailed by others – for adopting strong-arm tactics to fight crime. “Bulldozers”, used to raze illegal buildings, have figured repeatedly in campaign speeches. Opposition parties slammed his government over its handling of law and order, alleging that it followed a “thoko niti”. Officials deny the allegation. During this campaign, he has also been accused of “polarisation” of the state’s two major communities.

Yogi Adityanath: The monk who would be Uttar Pradesh’s CM again

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in an exclusive interview to Zee News, said on the hijab controversy that the country would run by the constitution, not the sharia law.</p>

<p>The issue began in January at a government PU College where six students who attended classes wearing headscarves were asked to leave the campus.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-hijab-row-from-dress-code-to-protests-what-really-is-the-issue-451444">Also read |&nbsp;Karnataka hijab row: From dress code to protests, what really is the issue?</a></strong></p>

<p>The row spread to other educational institutions in different parts of the state, and the protests took a violent turn at some places earlier this week, prompting the government on Tuesday to declare three days holiday for the institutions.</p>

<p>An appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the direction of the Karnataka High Court that has asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved.</p>

<p>Referring to the government college in Udupi district, Adityanath said that every institution has the right to formulate its own dress code.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-state-election-2022-opinion-poll-bjp-likely-to-retain-uttar-pradesh-446051">Also read |&nbsp;India State Election 2022 Opinion Poll: BJP likely to retain Uttar Pradesh</a></strong></p>

<p>He said that the face of the opposition has withered after the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh election.</p>

<p>Yogi said that those who were responsible for the riots, for the migration of Kairana, came out of their hiding places as soon the announcement for state elections was made.</p>

<p>He said that the government will work with the policy of zero tolerance for crime and criminals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged 53 of the 58 seats, while the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party had got two seats each. One seat had gone to the Rashtriya Lok Dal.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in an exclusive interview to Zee News, said on the hijab controversy that the country would run by the constitution, not the sharia law.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in an exclusive interview to Zee News, said on the hijab controversy that the country would run by the constitution, not the sharia law. The issue began in January at a government PU College where six students who attended classes wearing headscarves were asked to leave the campus. Also read | Karnataka hijab row: From dress code to protests, what really is the issue? The row spread to other educational institutions in different parts of the state, and the protests took a violent turn at some places earlier this week, prompting the government on Tuesday to declare three days holiday for the institutions. An appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the direction of the Karnataka High Court that has asked students not to insist on wearing any cloth on campuses of educational institutions which can instigate people, till the matter is resolved. Referring to the government college in Udupi district, Adityanath said that every institution has the right to formulate its own dress code. Also read | India State Election 2022 Opinion Poll: BJP likely to retain Uttar Pradesh He said that the face of the opposition has withered after the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh election. Yogi said that those who were responsible for the riots, for the migration of Kairana, came out of their hiding places as soon the announcement for state elections was made. He said that the government will work with the policy of zero tolerance for crime and criminals. In 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged 53 of the 58 seats, while the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party had got two seats each. One seat had gone to the Rashtriya Lok Dal.

Exclusive-India will be run on the basis of its constitution, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath

<p>Polling began in 58 assembly constituencies in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday.</p>

<p>The polling booths opened at 7 am local time. There are 623 candidates in the fray in the first phase. &nbsp;</p>

<p>India's Election Commission had confined the first phase of canvassing to the virtual medium with&nbsp;ban on roadshows and rallies due to the virus surge in the country.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2022-all-you-need-to-know-about-phase-i-voting-that-begins-tomorrow-451763">Also Read:&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2022: All you need to know about phase-I voting</a></p>

<p>The poll battle in India's largest state is being led by Uttar Pradesh's BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The ruling party in the state is pitched against the opposition led by the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal (SP-RLD) combine with Congress also in the fray. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati of&nbsp;Bahujan Samaj Party has also been campaigning during the first phase.</p>

<p>There are 11 districts where polling will be held on Thursday including Gautam Buddha Nagar, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, Shamli, Mathura and Agra.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-crucial-states-of-india-including-punjab-uttar-pradesh-gear-up-for-bellwether-local-polls-438801">Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;Five crucial states of India including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh gear up for bellwether local polls</a></p>

<p>The state elections are being held amid tight security with over 50,000 paramilitary personnel deployed in various constituencies to maintain law and order as the seven-phase polling gets underway.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


Polling began in 58 assembly constituencies in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The polling booths opened at 7 am local time. There are 623 candidates in the fray in the first phase.

Polling began in 58 assembly constituencies in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The polling booths opened at 7 am local time. There are 623 candidates in the fray in the first phase. India's Election Commission had confined the first phase of canvassing to the virtual medium with ban on roadshows and rallies due to the virus surge in the country. Also Read: Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2022: All you need to know about phase-I voting The poll battle in India's largest state is being led by Uttar Pradesh's BJP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The ruling party in the state is pitched against the opposition led by the Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal (SP-RLD) combine with Congress also in the fray. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati of Bahujan Samaj Party has also been campaigning during the first phase. There are 11 districts where polling will be held on Thursday including Gautam Buddha Nagar, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, Shamli, Mathura and Agra. Also Read: Five crucial states of India including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh gear up for bellwether local polls The state elections are being held amid tight security with over 50,000 paramilitary personnel deployed in various constituencies to maintain law and order as the seven-phase polling gets underway. (With inputs from Agencies)

Polling underway in first phase of crucial state elections in India's Uttar Pradesh

<p>Yogi Adityanath, a senior BJP leader and the Chief Minister of India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, filed his nomination papers today in Gorakhpur, where he is contesting in his first state election.</p>

<p>Amit Shah, India's Home Minister, was by his side.</p>

<p>The five-time MP prayed and conducted a havan at the Gorakhnath temple, where he remains head priest, before taking his first formal move toward fighting the UP Assembly election.</p>

<p>Yogi Adityanath's stronghold is Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where he has won every parliamentary election he has run.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Because several significant leaders and politicians from the Indian government were present during the official procedure, the nomination became a major political event.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-mammoth-state-elections-five-states-to-vote-from-feb-10-counting-on-march-10-445328">India's mammoth state elections: Five states to vote from Feb 10, counting on March 10</a></strong></p>

<p>Yogi, a five-time former Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament of India) MP, is running for the first time in the state Assembly elections.</p>

<p>Yogi had previously been declared the party's Chief Ministerial candidate by Shah.</p>

<p>When Yogi Adityanath was elected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, he chose to join the legislative council rather than run for an Assembly seat.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Shah spoke to a workers' meeting, claiming that the BJP was on track to replicate its 2014, 2017 and 2019 victories, in which it won by a large margin.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-crucial-states-of-india-including-punjab-uttar-pradesh-gear-up-for-bellwether-local-polls-438801"><strong>Five crucial states of India including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh gear up for bellwether local polls</strong></a></p>

<p>He said that the party would win over 300 seats this time.</p>

<p>The Home Minister of India further said that Yog had freed the state of the mafia. "Today mafia is either in jail or outside Uttar Pradesh. He has worked relentlessly to change the image of the state," he said.</p>

<p>Shah went on to list the various welfare schemes introduced by the BJP governments to benefit the poor.</p>

<p>Yogi Adityanath, while speaking, thanked the party leadership for reposing faith in him and asked every party worker to work like a contestant and ensure BJP`s victory.</p>

<p>He lauded Shah for scripting the party's success and making it the biggest political organisation in the world, adding that the double engine government in Delhi and Lucknow had excelled in various spheres.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-assembly-elections-2022-this-man-set-to-contest-his-94th-poll-wants-to-lose-100-times-446516" hreflang="en">Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: This man set to contest his 94th poll, wants to lose 100 times</a></strong><br />
<br />
Yogi had done 'Rudrabhishek' (an ancient chanting) at the Gorakhnath temple before filing the nomination papers.</p>

<p>Eleven pandits performed the intricate pooja.</p>

<p>Heavy barricades had been built on the route to the district collectorate as part of the security plans for the event.</p>

<p>Drone cameras were seen keeping a tight eye on people and vehicles moving around.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Yogi Adityanath, a senior BJP leader and the Chief Minister of India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, filed his nomination papers today in Gorakhpur, where he is contesting in his first state election.

Yogi Adityanath, a senior BJP leader and the Chief Minister of India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, filed his nomination papers today in Gorakhpur, where he is contesting in his first state election. Amit Shah, India's Home Minister, was by his side. The five-time MP prayed and conducted a havan at the Gorakhnath temple, where he remains head priest, before taking his first formal move toward fighting the UP Assembly election. Yogi Adityanath's stronghold is Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where he has won every parliamentary election he has run. Because several significant leaders and politicians from the Indian government were present during the official procedure, the nomination became a major political event. Also read | India's mammoth state elections: Five states to vote from Feb 10, counting on March 10 Yogi, a five-time former Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament of India) MP, is running for the first time in the state Assembly elections. Yogi had previously been declared the party's Chief Ministerial candidate by Shah. When Yogi Adityanath was elected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, he chose to join the legislative council rather than run for an Assembly seat. Earlier in the day, Shah spoke to a workers' meeting, claiming that the BJP was on track to replicate its 2014, 2017 and 2019 victories, in which it won by a large margin. Also read | Five crucial states of India including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh gear up for bellwether local polls He said that the party would win over 300 seats this time. The Home Minister of India further said that Yog had freed the state of the mafia. "Today mafia is either in jail or outside Uttar Pradesh. He has worked relentlessly to change the image of the state," he said. Shah went on to list the various welfare schemes introduced by the BJP governments to benefit the poor. Yogi Adityanath, while speaking, thanked the party leadership for reposing faith in him and asked every party worker to work like a contestant and ensure BJP`s victory. He lauded Shah for scripting the party's success and making it the biggest political organisation in the world, adding that the double engine government in Delhi and Lucknow had excelled in various spheres. Also read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: This man set to contest his 94th poll, wants to lose 100 times Yogi had done 'Rudrabhishek' (an ancient chanting) at the Gorakhnath temple before filing the nomination papers. Eleven pandits performed the intricate pooja. Heavy barricades had been built on the route to the district collectorate as part of the security plans for the event. Drone cameras were seen keeping a tight eye on people and vehicles moving around. (With inputs from agencies)

Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Yogi Adityanath files papers from Gorakhpur, flanked by Amit Shah

<p>While addressing the 54th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Tuesday (December 28), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country has emerged as the second biggest startup hub in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>IIT Kanpur, one of the premier institutes in India is located in the country's northern state, Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi said that IIT Kanpur's contribution in developing 5G technology has been recognised globally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Praising the students, the Indian Prime Minister said that when India will celebrate its 100th year of independence, the contribution of all the students who are present today [at the ceremony] will be included.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In this 75th year of independence, we have over 75 unicorns, over 50,000 start-ups. Of these, 10,000 have come only in the last 6 months. India has emerged to be the second biggest startup hub in the world, and this feat has been achieved majorly with the help of students from IITs," PM Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-hat-trick-india-approves-2-new-covid-vaccines-and-1-antiviral-drug-in-a-day-440579">'It's a hat-trick!': India approves 2 new Covid vaccines and 1 antiviral drug in a day</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">आजादी के इस 75वें साल में हमारे पास 75 से अधिक unicorns हैं, 50,000 से अधिक स्टार्ट-अप हैं।<br />
<br />
इनमें से 10,000 तो केवल पिछले 6 महीनों में आए हैं।<br />
<br />
आज भारत दुनिया का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा स्टार्टअप हब बनकर उभरा है।<br />
<br />
कितने स्टार्टअप्स तो हमारी IITs के युवाओं ने ही शुरू किए हैं: PM</p>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1475721469606858757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>During the ceremony, the prime minister launched blockchain-based digital degrees. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and the Chief Minister of the state Yogi Adityanath were also present there as they&nbsp;attended the function as guests of honour.</p>

<p>The students were issued digital degrees through an in-house blockchain-driven technology developed at the institute under the National Blockchain Project.</p>

<p>These digital degrees can be verified globally and are unforgeable. IIT-K is hosting a physical convocation after a year as it was held virtually last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-japan-to-establish-hotline-for-dispute-over-taiwan-and-south-china-sea-440630">China, Japan to establish hotline for dispute over Taiwan and South China Sea</a></strong></p>

<p>Highlighting the government's push for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', PM Modi said that if we are not self-reliant, then how will India succeed and scale ultimate heights? And this can be done only by the youth of this country.</p>

<p>"This century is completely technology-driven. Students have invested the most important years of their lives in learning about technology. And this will make it impossible for any other force to stop you from excelling," said the Prime Minister.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


While addressing the 54th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Tuesday (December 28), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country has emerged as the second biggest startup hub in the world.

While addressing the 54th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Tuesday (December 28), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country has emerged as the second biggest startup hub in the world. IIT Kanpur, one of the premier institutes in India is located in the country's northern state, Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi said that IIT Kanpur's contribution in developing 5G technology has been recognised globally. Praising the students, the Indian Prime Minister said that when India will celebrate its 100th year of independence, the contribution of all the students who are present today [at the ceremony] will be included. "In this 75th year of independence, we have over 75 unicorns, over 50,000 start-ups. Of these, 10,000 have come only in the last 6 months. India has emerged to be the second biggest startup hub in the world, and this feat has been achieved majorly with the help of students from IITs," PM Modi said. ALSO READ | 'It's a hat-trick!': India approves 2 new Covid vaccines and 1 antiviral drug in a day आजादी के इस 75वें साल में हमारे पास 75 से अधिक unicorns हैं, 50,000 से अधिक स्टार्ट-अप हैं। इनमें से 10,000 तो केवल पिछले 6 महीनों में आए हैं। आज भारत दुनिया का दूसरा सबसे बड़ा स्टार्टअप हब बनकर उभरा है। कितने स्टार्टअप्स तो हमारी IITs के युवाओं ने ही शुरू किए हैं: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 28, 2021 × During the ceremony, the prime minister launched blockchain-based digital degrees. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and the Chief Minister of the state Yogi Adityanath were also present there as they attended the function as guests of honour. The students were issued digital degrees through an in-house blockchain-driven technology developed at the institute under the National Blockchain Project. These digital degrees can be verified globally and are unforgeable. IIT-K is hosting a physical convocation after a year as it was held virtually last year. ALSO READ | China, Japan to establish hotline for dispute over Taiwan and South China Sea Highlighting the government's push for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', PM Modi said that if we are not self-reliant, then how will India succeed and scale ultimate heights? And this can be done only by the youth of this country. "This century is completely technology-driven. Students have invested the most important years of their lives in learning about technology. And this will make it impossible for any other force to stop you from excelling," said the Prime Minister. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Narendra Modi: India has emerged to be the second biggest startup hub in the world

Noida International Airport: Indian PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of 'largest airport in Asia'

<p>Farmers and the government in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, struck an agreement on Monday, a day after a demonstration turned violent, killing nine people.</p>

<p>A former high court judge will investigate the violence on Sunday, and the relatives of the dead will get ex-gratia payments of Rs 4.5 million apiece, while those injured in the skirmishes will receive Rs 1 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Farmers were protesting ahead of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's arrival to Lakhimpur Kheri when violence erupted.</p>

<p>Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also expressed regret over the event, calling it "unfortunate."</p>

<p>"Action will be taken against whoever is guilty," Yogi Adityanath stated.</p>

<p>Farmers' organisation Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has demanded the toughest punishment for anyone engaged in the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, claiming that individuals from various political parties, not farmers, were behind it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Describing the incident as "unfortunate", the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) in a statement said, "The people involved in the incident were not farmers, they belonged to various political parties. The incident was carried out using leftist methods. People were mercilessly beaten to death with sticks, something farmers could not do. "</p>

<p>The BKS claimed that the way people took the law into their own hands and committed murders in public shows that they were part of some professional gangs.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Farmers and the government in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, struck an agreement on Monday, a day after a demonstration turned violent, killing nine people. A former high court judge will investigate the violence on Sunday, and the relatives of the dead will get ex-gratia payments of Rs 4.

Farmers and the government in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, struck an agreement on Monday, a day after a demonstration turned violent, killing nine people. A former high court judge will investigate the violence on Sunday, and the relatives of the dead will get ex-gratia payments of Rs 4.5 million apiece, while those injured in the skirmishes will receive Rs 1 million. Farmers were protesting ahead of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya's arrival to Lakhimpur Kheri when violence erupted. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has also expressed regret over the event, calling it "unfortunate." "Action will be taken against whoever is guilty," Yogi Adityanath stated. Farmers' organisation Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has demanded the toughest punishment for anyone engaged in the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, claiming that individuals from various political parties, not farmers, were behind it. Describing the incident as "unfortunate", the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) in a statement said, "The people involved in the incident were not farmers, they belonged to various political parties. The incident was carried out using leftist methods. People were mercilessly beaten to death with sticks, something farmers could not do. " The BKS claimed that the way people took the law into their own hands and committed murders in public shows that they were part of some professional gangs. (With inputs from agencies)

Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Farmers and the Uttar Pradesh government reach agreement

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided that the state government will set up a temporary 1,000-bed Covid hospital, possibly at the site where the Defence Expo was held last year.<br />
<br />
Addressing a virtual meeting of Team 11 on Friday, the Chief Minister asked officials to work out the modalities in this regard without further delay.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is MP from Lucknow, has spoken to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and requested him to provide space to defence authorities for setting up makeshift hospitals.<br />
<br />
Lucknow is witnessing a surge in Covid cases and the city`s medical infrastructure is inadequate to face the medical crisis.<br />
<br />
Diwakar Tripathi, the representative of Rajnath Singh, confirmed that the defence minister has requested the chief minister to provide banquet halls and open space in the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan or the BBD Academy to teams of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for raising the medical infrastructure on its own cost and provide beds and oxygen to patients.<br />
<br />
"Since the DRDO already has a chain of command and military hospitals in and around the city as well as the expert medical manpower, it can immediately intervene provided the district administration gives it space for setting up makeshift hospitals," he said.<br />
<br />
The chief minister has also announced that there will be a total closure in the state on Sunday so as to enable sanitization and fogging on a large scale.<br />
<br />
All shops and establishments will remain closed and public movement will be allowed only in emergency conditions.<br />
<br />
The chief minister directed all government and private labs to work at the optimum level.<br />
<br />
The OPD services in all hospitals and medical facilities have been stopped and patients can interact with doctors through telemedicine facilities.<br />
<br />
The Arogya Melas have also been suspended till May 15.<br />
<br />
The state government has also decided to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on those who move out without wearing masks.</p>


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided that the state government will set up a temporary 1,000-bed Covid hospital, possibly at the site where the Defence Expo was held last year.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has decided that the state government will set up a temporary 1,000-bed Covid hospital, possibly at the site where the Defence Expo was held last year. Addressing a virtual meeting of Team 11 on Friday, the Chief Minister asked officials to work out the modalities in this regard without further delay. Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is MP from Lucknow, has spoken to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and requested him to provide space to defence authorities for setting up makeshift hospitals. Lucknow is witnessing a surge in Covid cases and the city`s medical infrastructure is inadequate to face the medical crisis. Diwakar Tripathi, the representative of Rajnath Singh, confirmed that the defence minister has requested the chief minister to provide banquet halls and open space in the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan or the BBD Academy to teams of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for raising the medical infrastructure on its own cost and provide beds and oxygen to patients. "Since the DRDO already has a chain of command and military hospitals in and around the city as well as the expert medical manpower, it can immediately intervene provided the district administration gives it space for setting up makeshift hospitals," he said. The chief minister has also announced that there will be a total closure in the state on Sunday so as to enable sanitization and fogging on a large scale. All shops and establishments will remain closed and public movement will be allowed only in emergency conditions. The chief minister directed all government and private labs to work at the optimum level. The OPD services in all hospitals and medical facilities have been stopped and patients can interact with doctors through telemedicine facilities. The Arogya Melas have also been suspended till May 15. The state government has also decided to impose a fine of Rs 1,000 on those who move out without wearing masks.

Uttar Pradesh to set up 1,000-bed facility to cope with Covid rush

<p><strong>UP Hathras gang rape </strong>- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday constituted a three-member SIT to probe the Hathras gang-rape incident which has sparked outrage.</p>

<p>A senior government official said the chief minister has also asked for conducting the trial of the case in a fast track court.</p>

<p>A 19-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped in a village in Hathras district two weeks ago.</p>

<p>She died of her grievous injuries at a Delhi hospital on Tuesday, prompting outrage, protests and calls for justice.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/take-strictest-action-against-hathras-rape-culprits-pm-modi-to-cm-yogi-331365"><strong>Hathras gang rape Latest Updates </strong></a></p>

<p>The official said Secretary home, Bhagwan Swarup, will lead the SIT and DIG, Chandraprakash, and commandant PAC Agra, Poonam, will be its members.</p>

<p>The SIT has been asked to submit its report in seven days’ time, the official said.</p>

<p>The woman was gang-raped on September 14 following which she was admitted to the J N Medical College Hospital in Aligarh with serious injuries.</p>

<p>She was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Monday after her condition showed no signs of improvement.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday slammed the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the Hathras gang-rape victim's family being allegedly denied the right to perform her last rites, with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation.</p>

<p>The body of the 19-year-old Dalit woman, who died in a Delhi hospital a fortnight after she was gang-raped, was cremated in Hathras in the early hours of Wednesday, with her family alleging the local police forced them to conduct the last rites in the dead of the night.</p>

<p>Local police officers, however, told PTI that the cremation was carried out "as per the wishes of the family".</p>

<p>The Congress has been holding protests in the national capital and various parts of Uttar Pradesh demanding justice for the gang-rape victim.</p>

<p>Party leader Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, said, "A daughter of India is raped-murdered, facts are suppressed and in the end, the right to perform the last rites is also taken away from the victim's family."</p>

<p>"It is insulting and unjust," he said in the tweet in Hindi using the hashtag 'Hathras Horror Shocks India'.</p>

<p>Along with the tweet, Rahul Gandhi also tagged a video purportedly of the cremation site showing a police officer not answering to queries as to whether the body of the victim was being cremated there.</p>

<p><strong>Hathras gang rape </strong><strong>updates</strong></p>

<p>Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi said, "I was on the phone with the Hathras victim's father when he was informed that his daughter had passed away. I heard him cry out in despair."</p>

<p>"He had just been telling me that all he wanted was justice for his child. Last night the victim's father was robbed of the chance to take his daughter home for the last time and perform her last rites," she said in a series of tweets.</p>

<p>Tagging Adityanath, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said, "RESIGN. Instead of protecting the victim and her family, your government became complicit in depriving her of every single human right, even in death. You have no moral right to continue as chief minister."</p>

<p>In another tweet in Hindi, she alleged that at 2:30 am Wednesday the "victim's kin kept requesting", but the UP administration "forcibly" cremated the deceased.</p>

<p>"The government did not protect her when she was alive. The government did not provide her timely treatment when she was attacked. After her death, the government took away the right of the family to perform the last rites of their daughter and did not respect the deceased," Priyanka Gandhi said.</p>

<p>Hitting out at the chief minister, she alleged, "Gross inhumanity. You did not stop the crime but behaved like criminals. You did not stop the atrocities, but committed atrocity on an innocent child and her family twice."</p>

<p>Tagging Adityanath and asking him to resign, Priyanka Gandhi said, "There is no justice in your rule only injustice."</p>

<p>The Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and asked why the victim’s family was was denied the right to perform her last rites and why was the body cremated at 2:30 am.</p>

<p>He alleged that all limits of atrocities and brutality had been crossed and demanded Yogi Adityanath's resignation.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/hathras-gangrape-case-family-accuses-up-police-of-forcefully-cremating-victim-331354"><strong>Hathras gang rape Detail</strong></a></p>

<p>On September 14, the young woman had gone to the fields with her mother and went missing soon after.</p>

<p>She was found later, beaten and tortured, her tongue cut as she bit it when the accused attempted to strangle her.</p>

<p>She was first admitted to Aligarh Muslim University's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital and then shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Monday.</p>


UP Hathras gang rape - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday constituted a three-member SIT to probe the Hathras gang-rape incident which has sparked outrage.

UP Hathras gang rape - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday constituted a three-member SIT to probe the Hathras gang-rape incident which has sparked outrage. A senior government official said the chief minister has also asked for conducting the trial of the case in a fast track court. A 19-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped in a village in Hathras district two weeks ago. She died of her grievous injuries at a Delhi hospital on Tuesday, prompting outrage, protests and calls for justice. Hathras gang rape Latest Updates The official said Secretary home, Bhagwan Swarup, will lead the SIT and DIG, Chandraprakash, and commandant PAC Agra, Poonam, will be its members. The SIT has been asked to submit its report in seven days’ time, the official said. The woman was gang-raped on September 14 following which she was admitted to the J N Medical College Hospital in Aligarh with serious injuries. She was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Monday after her condition showed no signs of improvement. Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday slammed the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the Hathras gang-rape victim's family being allegedly denied the right to perform her last rites, with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation. The body of the 19-year-old Dalit woman, who died in a Delhi hospital a fortnight after she was gang-raped, was cremated in Hathras in the early hours of Wednesday, with her family alleging the local police forced them to conduct the last rites in the dead of the night. Local police officers, however, told PTI that the cremation was carried out "as per the wishes of the family". The Congress has been holding protests in the national capital and various parts of Uttar Pradesh demanding justice for the gang-rape victim. Party leader Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet, said, "A daughter of India is raped-murdered, facts are suppressed and in the end, the right to perform the last rites is also taken away from the victim's family." "It is insulting and unjust," he said in the tweet in Hindi using the hashtag 'Hathras Horror Shocks India'. Along with the tweet, Rahul Gandhi also tagged a video purportedly of the cremation site showing a police officer not answering to queries as to whether the body of the victim was being cremated there. Hathras gang rape updates Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi said, "I was on the phone with the Hathras victim's father when he was informed that his daughter had passed away. I heard him cry out in despair." "He had just been telling me that all he wanted was justice for his child. Last night the victim's father was robbed of the chance to take his daughter home for the last time and perform her last rites," she said in a series of tweets. Tagging Adityanath, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said, "RESIGN. Instead of protecting the victim and her family, your government became complicit in depriving her of every single human right, even in death. You have no moral right to continue as chief minister." In another tweet in Hindi, she alleged that at 2:30 am Wednesday the "victim's kin kept requesting", but the UP administration "forcibly" cremated the deceased. "The government did not protect her when she was alive. The government did not provide her timely treatment when she was attacked. After her death, the government took away the right of the family to perform the last rites of their daughter and did not respect the deceased," Priyanka Gandhi said. Hitting out at the chief minister, she alleged, "Gross inhumanity. You did not stop the crime but behaved like criminals. You did not stop the atrocities, but committed atrocity on an innocent child and her family twice." Tagging Adityanath and asking him to resign, Priyanka Gandhi said, "There is no justice in your rule only injustice." The Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and asked why the victim’s family was was denied the right to perform her last rites and why was the body cremated at 2:30 am. He alleged that all limits of atrocities and brutality had been crossed and demanded Yogi Adityanath's resignation. Hathras gang rape Detail On September 14, the young woman had gone to the fields with her mother and went missing soon after. She was found later, beaten and tortured, her tongue cut as she bit it when the accused attempted to strangle her. She was first admitted to Aligarh Muslim University's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital and then shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Monday.

SIT to probe Hathras gangrape, Congress demands Yogi Adityanath's resignation

<p><strong>Hathras rape culprits: PM Modi to CM Yogi&nbsp;</strong> - After the brutal gang rape and murder case of Hathras sparking outrage in India and abroad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take strictest action against the culprits.</p>

<p>The girl was gang-raped and strangulated on September 14 when she had gone to collect fodder from the field. Following which she was admitted to the J N Medical College Hospital in Aligarh with serious injuries. She was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Monday after her condition showed no signs of improvement.</p>

<p><strong>Hathras rape culprits</strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The SIT, according to IANS, will comprise of home secretary Bhagwan Swaroop, DIG Chandra Prakash and IPS officer Poonam.</p>

<p>"Culprits of Hathras gangrape incident will not be spared. An SIT has been formed to investigate the incident, the team will submit a report within next 7 days. To ensure swift justice, this case will be tried in a fast-track court," said the Chief Minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All four accused have already been arrested.</p>

<p>The Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government has been facing massive criticism over the incident.</p>

<p>"The police have forcibly taken the dead body, and my father along with them for cremation. When my father reached Hathras, he was immediately taken (to the crematorium) by the police," the victim`s brother told the media.</p>

<p>However, Hathras police have denied the charges and has issued a notice saying the coercion being talked about on social media is canard. It said: "The family cremated the body with due rituals under the supervision of police and administration."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hathras rape culprits: PM Modi to CM Yogi - After the brutal gang rape and murder case of Hathras sparking outrage in India and abroad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take strictest action against the culprits.

Hathras rape culprits: PM Modi to CM Yogi - After the brutal gang rape and murder case of Hathras sparking outrage in India and abroad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take strictest action against the culprits. The girl was gang-raped and strangulated on September 14 when she had gone to collect fodder from the field. Following which she was admitted to the J N Medical College Hospital in Aligarh with serious injuries. She was referred to Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital on Monday after her condition showed no signs of improvement. Hathras rape culprits Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. The SIT, according to IANS, will comprise of home secretary Bhagwan Swaroop, DIG Chandra Prakash and IPS officer Poonam. "Culprits of Hathras gangrape incident will not be spared. An SIT has been formed to investigate the incident, the team will submit a report within next 7 days. To ensure swift justice, this case will be tried in a fast-track court," said the Chief Minister. All four accused have already been arrested. The Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government has been facing massive criticism over the incident. "The police have forcibly taken the dead body, and my father along with them for cremation. When my father reached Hathras, he was immediately taken (to the crematorium) by the police," the victim`s brother told the media. However, Hathras police have denied the charges and has issued a notice saying the coercion being talked about on social media is canard. It said: "The family cremated the body with due rituals under the supervision of police and administration." (With inputs from agencies)

Take 'strictest action' against Hathras rape culprits: PM Modi to CM Yogi

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday has announced that the upcoming ‘Mughal Museum’ in Agra will be renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.</p>

<p>“How can Mughals be our heroes? The very name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will invoke a feeling of nationalism and self-esteem," UP CM said in a statement.</p>

<p>He made it clear that his government has always nurtured the nationalist ideology and anything which smacks of subservient mentality will be done away with.</p>

<p>“The under-construction museum in Agra will be named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In your new Uttar Pradesh, there is no place for any symbols of subservient mentality,” Adityanath tweeted in Hindi soon after the review meeting.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">आगरा में निर्माणाधीन म्यूजियम को छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज के नाम से जाना जाएगा।<br />
<br />
आपके नए उत्तर प्रदेश में गुलामी की मानसिकता के प्रतीक चिन्हों का कोई स्थान नहीं।<br />
<br />
हम सबके नायक शिवाजी महाराज हैं।<br />
<br />
जय हिन्द, जय भारत।</p>
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1305534467465912321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday has announced that the upcoming ‘Mughal Museum’ in Agra will be renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday has announced that the upcoming ‘Mughal Museum’ in Agra will be renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. “How can Mughals be our heroes? The very name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will invoke a feeling of nationalism and self-esteem," UP CM said in a statement. He made it clear that his government has always nurtured the nationalist ideology and anything which smacks of subservient mentality will be done away with. “The under-construction museum in Agra will be named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In your new Uttar Pradesh, there is no place for any symbols of subservient mentality,” Adityanath tweeted in Hindi soon after the review meeting. आगरा में निर्माणाधीन म्यूजियम को छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज के नाम से जाना जाएगा। आपके नए उत्तर प्रदेश में गुलामी की मानसिकता के प्रतीक चिन्हों का कोई स्थान नहीं। हम सबके नायक शिवाजी महाराज हैं। जय हिन्द, जय भारत। — Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 14, 2020 × (With inputs from agencies)

Yogi Adityanath renames Mughal museum after Chhatrapati Shivaji, says ‘How can Mughals be our heroes’

<p>The news that hit not just national but international headlines too was the story of Indian gangster Vikas Dubey, who was killed in an encounter earlier today.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Multiple theories are being floated on his encounter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/how-dreaded-gangster-vikas-dubey-survived-in-uttar-pradesh-for-so-long-312230">How dreaded gangster Vikas Dubey survived in Uttar Pradesh for so long?</a></strong></p>

<p>A video went viral since yesterday, moments after Vikas Dubey was arrested at a temple in the central Indian city of Ujjain.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-rise-and-fall-of-vikas-dubey-a-gangster-with-strong-links-in-up-political-circle-312214">The rise and fall of Vikas Dubey: A gangster with strong links in UP political circle</a></strong></p>

<p>"I am Vikas Dubey from Kanpur," he said while shouting at the police who surrounded him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Was he warning the cops of the consequences of arresting him or making sure, they cannot build a case of mistaken identity?&nbsp;</p>

<p>As many as 62 criminal cases were registered against him, which included five murder cases and eight cases of attempted murder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The arrest yesterday meant Dubey likely to get life imprisonment, if not a death sentence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Dubey did not look particularly scared perhaps he knew he can break out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On searching Dubey's history, we found that Dubey comes from a village in Kanpur and is a gangster for more than 30 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was involved in real-estate business and even won district-level elections in 2000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dubey received immense political backing and has been linked with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP).&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days ago, eight cops who were involved in an operation to arrest this gangster were killed, which led to nationwide anger to bring Dubey to justice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, his encounter was not as simple as it appears as his arrest could open a pandora's box, which could reveal the secrets of political leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A lot of political careers could be destroyed if Dubey opened up his mouth during interrogation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, the justice system in India is well-known for its delayed justice. There are about 30 million pending cases in district courts, nearly 4.7 million in several high courts, and about 60,000 in the apex court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Experts said Dubey's encounter was imminent as it solves the problem of outing leaders. It also silences the public who demanded justice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The only surprise was the timing of the encounter. No one thought of the police closing the case this quick.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A lot of Indians celebrated the gangster's death.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In December 2019, all four accused of the gangrape of a woman doctor were killed in an encounter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This Hyderabad gangrape incident also led to widespread anger in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the encounter, there were mixed reactions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some clicked selfies with the dead bodies, others called the encounter a cover-up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is clear that nothing has changed eight months later and change will be unlikely until we address the glorification of encounters in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The biggest takeaway from Dubey's encounter was that it is a commentary on the Indian justice system and how it has moulded people's attitudes towards encounters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People would rather have the gangster dead than wait for infinite years for courts to deliver justice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the unversed, India's conviction rate is 48.8 per cent, according to the 2017 official figures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Encounters lost out on the bigger story. One alleged criminal is dead but a larger nexus is alive.</p>

<p>The politicians who gave patronage to Dubey, who were in cahoots are roaming free.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another Dubey can rise with time and this is no evil prophecy but India's bitter truth.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The news that hit not just national but international headlines too was the story of Indian gangster Vikas Dubey, who was killed in an encounter earlier today. Multiple theories are being floated on his encounter.

The news that hit not just national but international headlines too was the story of Indian gangster Vikas Dubey, who was killed in an encounter earlier today. Multiple theories are being floated on his encounter. Also read | How dreaded gangster Vikas Dubey survived in Uttar Pradesh for so long? A video went viral since yesterday, moments after Vikas Dubey was arrested at a temple in the central Indian city of Ujjain. Also read | The rise and fall of Vikas Dubey: A gangster with strong links in UP political circle "I am Vikas Dubey from Kanpur," he said while shouting at the police who surrounded him. Was he warning the cops of the consequences of arresting him or making sure, they cannot build a case of mistaken identity? As many as 62 criminal cases were registered against him, which included five murder cases and eight cases of attempted murder. The arrest yesterday meant Dubey likely to get life imprisonment, if not a death sentence. However, Dubey did not look particularly scared perhaps he knew he can break out. On searching Dubey's history, we found that Dubey comes from a village in Kanpur and is a gangster for more than 30 years. He was involved in real-estate business and even won district-level elections in 2000. Dubey received immense political backing and has been linked with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Samajwadi Party (SP). A few days ago, eight cops who were involved in an operation to arrest this gangster were killed, which led to nationwide anger to bring Dubey to justice. However, his encounter was not as simple as it appears as his arrest could open a pandora's box, which could reveal the secrets of political leaders. A lot of political careers could be destroyed if Dubey opened up his mouth during interrogation. Also, the justice system in India is well-known for its delayed justice. There are about 30 million pending cases in district courts, nearly 4.7 million in several high courts, and about 60,000 in the apex court. Experts said Dubey's encounter was imminent as it solves the problem of outing leaders. It also silences the public who demanded justice. The only surprise was the timing of the encounter. No one thought of the police closing the case this quick. A lot of Indians celebrated the gangster's death. In December 2019, all four accused of the gangrape of a woman doctor were killed in an encounter. This Hyderabad gangrape incident also led to widespread anger in the country. Following the encounter, there were mixed reactions. Some clicked selfies with the dead bodies, others called the encounter a cover-up. It is clear that nothing has changed eight months later and change will be unlikely until we address the glorification of encounters in India. The biggest takeaway from Dubey's encounter was that it is a commentary on the Indian justice system and how it has moulded people's attitudes towards encounters. People would rather have the gangster dead than wait for infinite years for courts to deliver justice. For the unversed, India's conviction rate is 48.8 per cent, according to the 2017 official figures. Encounters lost out on the bigger story. One alleged criminal is dead but a larger nexus is alive. The politicians who gave patronage to Dubey, who were in cahoots are roaming free. Another Dubey can rise with time and this is no evil prophecy but India's bitter truth.

Decoding the biggest takeaway from Vikas Dubey encounter

<p>Vikas Dubey’s encounter and subsequent hunting down of his gang is being celebrated in public as an act of justice, however, it actually demonstrates a deep rot which has set in the Indian policing system. It demonstrates that political establishment has failed in holding constitutional values and not allowing various arms of the government to do its job properly.</p>

<p>Encounter, in a democratic set-up, can be the easiest job to be done. But what actually matters is - how Vikas Dubey became so big in Uttar Pradesh? Who gave Vikas Dubey political protection? Why couldn’t police act against Vikas Dubey till he brutally killed policemen in broad daylight? And when it became a question of honour for the police and politicians realised that cops wouldn’t listen to them, then one by one every man of his gang was gunned down. There was no doubt when Vikas Dubey was captured from Ujjain that he would not live for long. Questions were being asked as to where he would be gunned down.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh police were under tremendous pressure to send the message across that if criminals try to touch their own then they would be hunted down one by one. All happened as per the script. Now the dreaded gangster is dead, questions should be asked about what made him so big? Which politician supported a criminal on caste line? How was he able to politically flirt for long and how was he able to circumvent the official policing structure and intelligence community of Uttar Pradesh? The truth of the encounter is irrelevant to the larger issue of law and order.</p>

<p>The success of the state lies in managing the police and judicial system whereby a criminal is made to serve his time behind the bar. Even if he is sentenced to death, it must come from the court of law. Encounters represent a failure of the normal process of law. Time and again, the Indian state has failed to address this issue. Encounters were first deployed against organised crime, mafia and subsequently against terrorism. Now encounter is being used to protect one’s own image in public.</p>

<p>The best example which comes to my mind is that of the brutal rape and subsequent burning of a woman near Hyderabad. The men were gunned down. Police overnight became heroes, but no one was made accountable for making the victim’s family run from one police station to another when the girl went missing.</p>

<p>Vikas Dubey is a similar case but of a different dimension. He is a reflection of corroded policing in Uttar Pradesh which has been compromised by politicians on the lines of caste and religion. There is no doubt that criminals must be hunted down but should be done within the confines of the law. Criminals should not be hunted down when it becomes a matter of honour for the police. Vikas Dubey was gunned not because of his ugly crimes. He was gunned down because he crossed a line with the police. His encounter cannot be treated as a chip on the shoulder, but a reflection of how political patronage has allowed criminals to flourish in civil society and politics with great impunity in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>Indian policing system has failed to evolve as a system which nibs crime in the bud. It works episodically. There are many good officers, but till criminals are allowed free space in politics, stories of Vikas Dubey will continue to emerge. Men like Vikas Dubey reflect dark underbelly of the India state and the current saga must be food for thought for our lawmakers.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Vikas Dubey’s encounter and subsequent hunting down of his gang is being celebrated in public as an act of justice, however, it actually demonstrates a deep rot which has set in the Indian policing system.

Vikas Dubey’s encounter and subsequent hunting down of his gang is being celebrated in public as an act of justice, however, it actually demonstrates a deep rot which has set in the Indian policing system. It demonstrates that political establishment has failed in holding constitutional values and not allowing various arms of the government to do its job properly. Encounter, in a democratic set-up, can be the easiest job to be done. But what actually matters is - how Vikas Dubey became so big in Uttar Pradesh? Who gave Vikas Dubey political protection? Why couldn’t police act against Vikas Dubey till he brutally killed policemen in broad daylight? And when it became a question of honour for the police and politicians realised that cops wouldn’t listen to them, then one by one every man of his gang was gunned down. There was no doubt when Vikas Dubey was captured from Ujjain that he would not live for long. Questions were being asked as to where he would be gunned down. Uttar Pradesh police were under tremendous pressure to send the message across that if criminals try to touch their own then they would be hunted down one by one. All happened as per the script. Now the dreaded gangster is dead, questions should be asked about what made him so big? Which politician supported a criminal on caste line? How was he able to politically flirt for long and how was he able to circumvent the official policing structure and intelligence community of Uttar Pradesh? The truth of the encounter is irrelevant to the larger issue of law and order. The success of the state lies in managing the police and judicial system whereby a criminal is made to serve his time behind the bar. Even if he is sentenced to death, it must come from the court of law. Encounters represent a failure of the normal process of law. Time and again, the Indian state has failed to address this issue. Encounters were first deployed against organised crime, mafia and subsequently against terrorism. Now encounter is being used to protect one’s own image in public. The best example which comes to my mind is that of the brutal rape and subsequent burning of a woman near Hyderabad. The men were gunned down. Police overnight became heroes, but no one was made accountable for making the victim’s family run from one police station to another when the girl went missing. Vikas Dubey is a similar case but of a different dimension. He is a reflection of corroded policing in Uttar Pradesh which has been compromised by politicians on the lines of caste and religion. There is no doubt that criminals must be hunted down but should be done within the confines of the law. Criminals should not be hunted down when it becomes a matter of honour for the police. Vikas Dubey was gunned not because of his ugly crimes. He was gunned down because he crossed a line with the police. His encounter cannot be treated as a chip on the shoulder, but a reflection of how political patronage has allowed criminals to flourish in civil society and politics with great impunity in Uttar Pradesh. Indian policing system has failed to evolve as a system which nibs crime in the bud. It works episodically. There are many good officers, but till criminals are allowed free space in politics, stories of Vikas Dubey will continue to emerge. Men like Vikas Dubey reflect dark underbelly of the India state and the current saga must be food for thought for our lawmakers. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How dreaded gangster Vikas Dubey survived in Uttar Pradesh for so long?

<p>On Thursday morning, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched&nbsp;"Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan" through a video conference, along with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The programme has been launched with the aim of helping 1.25 crore migrant workers who have lost their jobs due to the nationwide lockdown that was initiated to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath-signs-mou-to-generate-11-lakh-jobs-301814"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath signs MoU to generate 11 lakh jobs</strong></a></p>

<p>"During the COVID-19 crisis, the way the Prime Minister has shown the direction to the country and gave the message of 'Jaan bhi aur Jahaan bhi'&nbsp;is highly appreciable. Following a similar direction, Uttar Pradesh is working for the welfare of its labourers by providing them employment," said Yogi Adityanath.</p>

<p>"Over 35 lakh migrants returned to Uttar Pradesh and over 30 lakh migrant workers were also covered under skill mapping," he added.</p>

<p>The programme will create jobs for the displaced and unemployed migrants labourers, and also aims at establishing&nbsp;partnerships with industry and other organisations.</p>

<p>In order to generate employment with a thrust towards creating infrastructure in backward regions of the country, Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was launched on June 20.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


On Thursday morning, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched "Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan" through a video conference, along with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

On Thursday morning, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched "Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan" through a video conference, along with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The programme has been launched with the aim of helping 1.25 crore migrant workers who have lost their jobs due to the nationwide lockdown that was initiated to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Also read| Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath signs MoU to generate 11 lakh jobs "During the COVID-19 crisis, the way the Prime Minister has shown the direction to the country and gave the message of 'Jaan bhi aur Jahaan bhi' is highly appreciable. Following a similar direction, Uttar Pradesh is working for the welfare of its labourers by providing them employment," said Yogi Adityanath. "Over 35 lakh migrants returned to Uttar Pradesh and over 30 lakh migrant workers were also covered under skill mapping," he added. The programme will create jobs for the displaced and unemployed migrants labourers, and also aims at establishing partnerships with industry and other organisations. In order to generate employment with a thrust towards creating infrastructure in backward regions of the country, Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was launched on June 20. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi launches 'Atma Nirbhar UP Rojgar Abhiyan'

yogi-adityanath

Yogi Adityanath, News on Yogi Adityanath, stories on Yogi Adityanath, articles on Yogi Adityanath, Yogi Adityanath stories at Wion, Yogi Adityanath news, Yogi Adityanath latest news

yogi adityanath