Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav spoke out against the dredging of the Ganga river in Prayagraj for the upcoming Maha Kumbh festival. He criticized the move as an "environmental crime" meant to benefit a select group of individuals through corruption. Yadav also warned of potential harm to the river's ecosystem and called for leaving the rivers to follow their natural paths. The Maha Kumbh festival is set to take place from January 13 to February 26.
Ganga River Dredging Controversy: Akhilesh Yadav Raises Environmental Concerns
Background
The Ganga river, considered the lifeblood of India, holds immense spiritual and cultural significance. However, its health has been threatened by various anthropogenic activities, including industrial pollution, sewage discharge, and encroachment.
Dredging Controversy
In preparation for the upcoming Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, the government has initiated a massive dredging project to remove sand and silt from the riverbed. The primary objective is to create deeper channels for easier navigation during the festival, which attracts millions of devotees.
Akhilesh Yadav's Criticism
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has strongly criticized the dredging project, calling it an "environmental crime." He argues that the dredging will irreversibly damage the river's ecosystem, disturb aquatic life, and increase turbidity levels. Yadav has also alleged that the project is mired in corruption and will benefit a select few.
Ecological Impacts
Environmentalists have echoed Yadav's concerns, warning that dredging can disrupt the delicate balance of the Ganga's ecosystem. The removal of sand and silt can alter the river's flow patterns, affecting the habitats of numerous fish and bird species. Additionally, increased turbidity reduces sunlight penetration, harming aquatic plants and algae that form the base of the food chain.
Government's Position
The government maintains that the dredging is necessary for the smooth conduct of the Maha Kumbh festival. Officials have assured that the project will be carried out with minimal environmental damage and that measures will be taken to mitigate any potential impacts.
FAQs
1. What is dredging? Dredging involves removing sand, silt, or debris from the bottom of a river or lake to deepen it for navigation or other purposes.
2. Why is the Ganga being dredged? The dredging is being done to create deeper channels for easier navigation during the Maha Kumbh festival.
3. What are the environmental concerns raised by Akhilesh Yadav? Yadav has expressed concerns about the project's potential impacts on the river's ecosystem, aquatic life, and increased turbidity.
4. How does dredging impact the environment? Dredging can disrupt the river's flow patterns, alter aquatic habitats, reduce sunlight penetration, and increase turbidity, which negatively affects plants and animals.
5. What are the government's arguments in favor of dredging? The government argues that the dredging is necessary for the smooth conduct of the Maha Kumbh festival and that it will be carried out with minimal environmental damage.
BJP president JP Nadda and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statement that the Opposition was fighting against the Indian state. Gandhi made the remark at the inauguration of the Congress's new headquarters, where he also criticized the BJP and its ideological parent RSS. BJP leaders have accused Gandhi of having close links with "urban naxals" and trying to break and divide India. They also highlight Congress's history of compromising the nation's integrity for power and call on the people of India to reject Gandhi and his ideology.
On the occasion of the 77th Army Day, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge extended their wishes to the brave soldiers, ex-servicemen, and their families who protect the Indian borders. They expressed gratitude and reverence to the Indian Army for their unwavering dedication and bravery and acknowledged their crucial role in national security and providing support during internal security challenges and natural calamities.
In a major step towards making India a major maritime power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three new naval frontline combatants - a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine on Wednesday. These Made in India vessels - INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer - are crucial additions to the Indian Navy's surface fleet and will enhance its capabilities in anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. PM Modi stressed on the importance of securing sea routes and protecting territorial waters in the Indo-Pacific region, while also highlighting India's role as a reliable and responsible global partner.
President Droupadi Murmu commended the Indian Army for its crucial contributions to national security and peace at the 77th Army Day celebrations. The occasion also marks the historic moment in 1949 when the first Indian Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit was appointed. The theme for this year's celebration is "Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena," and the President expressed her admiration and conveyed warm wishes to the Army and its soldiers and veterans. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also joined in honoring the Army's bravery and selfless service.
On January 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Lohri with the public in New Delhi, spreading warm wishes and highlighting the festival's cultural significance. Lohri, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season, symbolizes prosperity and togetherness among people from all walks of life. The celebration was filled with joy and the traditional rituals of gathering around a bonfire, singing folk songs, and offering offerings for a successful and abundant year ahead.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has taken action against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Yadav for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event. Khanna has requested a fresh report from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice on the issue, after the Collegium previously met with Justice Yadav for an explanation. This is seen as a first step in the process to initiate an in-house inquiry for judicial misconduct, based on a previous Supreme Court ruling that sets guidelines for handling such cases.
In a recent interview, a former Supreme Court Justice reflects on the crucial role of the judiciary in maintaining a check-and-balance system within the government. He emphasizes the need for a certain level of distance between the judiciary and the government, and discusses his experience working with different chief justices. While admitting to having some differences in perception, he also highlights the importance of standing firm on administrative decisions to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
Odisha has become the 34th state to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme, much to the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He criticized the previous BJD government for not adopting the scheme, which aims to provide affordable and high-quality healthcare to all citizens. The new BJP-led government in Odisha has replaced the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, in line with the national health scheme. This move is expected to benefit women and senior citizens in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched his party's Delhi campaign with a fiery speech at a public meeting in the Muslim-dominated area of Seelampur. He took aim at both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of failing to deliver on their promises. As the Congress sets its sights on reclaiming its minority vote bank, Gandhi reminded the audience of the party's past successes under former CM Sheila Dikshit and promised to prioritize Delhi's development. Despite the AAP and Congress being part of the same INDIA bloc, Gandhi made it clear that the two parties are now strong competitors in the upcoming assembly elections.