INDIA

In a strange turn of events, a groom from Dubai and his wedding party of 150 people were left bewildered after the bride vanished on their wedding day. Deepak, a 24-year-old laborer working in Dubai, had been in a long-distance relationship with Manpreet Kaur, whom he met on Instagram three years ago. The couple planned their wedding for December 6, making arrangements over the phone. But when the groom's family reached Moga, Punjab, they discovered their chosen venue, "Rose Garden Palace," didn’t exist. Manpreet had assured Deepak that her relatives would escort the baraat, but hours passed without anyone showing up. By 5 PM, the groom’s frustration turned into suspicion as Manpreet’s phone was switched off, prompting him to file a police complaint. Deepak informed authorit...

The National President of Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta, has formally written to the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), urging a detailed survey of the Jama Masjid in Delhi. He alleges that the mosque was constructed on the remains of temples from Jodhpur and Udaipur, reportedly destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In his letter, Gupta claims that idols of Hindu deities were used in the construction of the mosque, with some allegedly buried beneath its stairs to insult Hindu religious sentiments. Gupta emphasized the need for an ASI investigation, asserting that historical evidence points to Aurangzeb’s actions being intended to demean Hindus. He argued that the survey could uncover remnants of temples that might have once existed at the site. He furt...

Indian Railways is set to launch its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, connecting New Delhi to Srinagar via the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). The train, which offers modern amenities and enhanced travel comfort, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 26, 2025, coinciding with Republic Day celebrations. This semi-high-speed train will be the first direct rail service between the national capital and Kashmir, covering over 800 kilometers in under 13 hours. Departing from New Delhi at 7:00 PM, it will reach Srinagar by 8:00 AM the next day, with key stops at Jammu Tawi, Katra, and Banihal. Ticket prices are expected to start at ₹2,000 for AC 3-tier, ₹2,500 for AC 2-tier, and ₹3,000 for First AC. The train will feature a mix of 11 AC 3-ti...

In a heartening display of communal harmony, members of the Sikh community in Malerkotla, Punjab, have donated several acres of land for the construction of a mosque, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the local Muslim community. The initiative comes amid a rise in Islamophobia across India, making the gesture even more significant. Sikhs not only donated the land but also actively participated in laying the foundation for the mosque. "For years, Muslims in Umerabad and Amargarh areas of Malerkotla had no dedicated place for worship and had been praying in the open. This concerned us all, and the Sikh community decided to step forward and help," said Amarjit Singh, a local Sikh resident. Singh noted that the decision to donate land was unanimous within his family. "The land is w...

Kashmiri Muslim students at Sri Soubagaya College of Nursing in Bengaluru have accused the administration of denying them permission to offer their Friday (Jummah) prayers, a practice fundamental to their faith, New Indian Express reported. The students claim repeated requests for accommodating their religious obligations have been ignored, causing them immense distress. The students argue that this action violates Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freely practice one's religion. “Education should not come at the cost of our religious beliefs or identity,” they stated, calling the college’s stance discriminatory and a threat to religious freedom. The students have appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene and enforce polic...

The Defence Ministry has stated that ambulances are not halted during military or paramilitary convoy movements on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The statement, delivered by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth in the Lok Sabha today, emphasized that civilian traffic is regulated temporarily at select points solely for security reasons. Responding to concerns raised by Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Seth acknowledged the regular movement of convoys on the highway for operational purposes. He stated, “To address security risks and prevent incidents like convoy attacks or ambushes, Road Opening Parties are deployed before any Security Forces Convoy movement. Traffic regulation is temporary, particularly at intersections and U-turns al...

In a landmark judgment, the High Court of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh directed the Indian Army to pay 46 years of accumulated rent to a landowner in Tangdhar, Kupwara, Press Trust of India reported. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, while disposing of a petition filed by Abdul Majeed Lone, emphasized that the right to property is a fundamental human right, equating it with essential individual rights such as livelihood and shelter. In his ruling on November 20, Justice Nargal stated, “The right to property is not merely a constitutional or statutory right but falls within the realm of human rights. Over the years, human rights have gained a multifaceted dimension, encompassing areas like shelter, livelihood, and health.” Background of the case Abdul Majeed Lone had approached the court in 2...

A local court has admitted a petition claiming that the revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a prominent Sufi dargah, stands on the remnants of an ancient Shiva temple. The petition, filed by members of a right-wing organization, has sparked a heated debate among legal experts, historians, and religious communities. The petitioners have requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the site, asserting that historical records and architectural evidence could support their claims. They argue that the site’s origins should be verified through scientific investigation, drawing comparisons to similar disputes in Ayodhya and Varanasi. If proven to have been a temple, the petitioners seek enforcement of Hindu worship rights at the site. Representatives of the Ajmer Sharif Da...

Massive Protests have erupted in Guwahati over plans to cut down century-old trees to make way for a new flyover. The controversy centers around the Public Works Department’s proposal to uproot around 25 trees, some as old as 200 years, along the Dighalipukhuri pond for the construction of a 5.05 km-long, four-lane flyover. The project, which is slated to cost Rs 852.68 crore, has sparked strong opposition from environmentalists, artists, students, and local residents. Protesters took to the streets, voicing concerns about the environmental and cultural impact of the tree removal. The Dighalipukhuri pond is a historic site with deep cultural significance, and many locals view the trees as integral to the area's heritage. The opposition has also criticized the government's de...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Jammu Kashmir celebrated its first Constitution Day, marking a historic milestone with the full implementation of the Indian Constitution in the region. Addressing an event at the Supreme Court to mark Constitution Day, PM Modi described the Constitution as a “living stream” that has adapted to the evolving needs and expectations of the nation, including the challenges posed by Emergency, and will continue to guide India through changing times. Modi emphasised that his government has strengthened constitutional values through various welfare initiatives aimed at promoting social and financial equality. He highlighted measures such as opening bank accounts for over 53 crore people, providing homes for more than four crore poor famil...