Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur hosted a samosa party with BJP workers, in what many saw as a playful jab at the ongoing controversy surrounding current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The issue emerged after reports of missing samosas at a function attended by Sukhu at the CID headquarters, leading to speculation about an investigation. However, the CID Director General clarified that it was not a formal inquiry but merely an internal discussion. This has resulted in a war of words between the Congress government and the BJP, with the opposition accusing the government of having misplaced priorities.
Samosa Controversies: A Culinary Tale of Political Jab and Alleged Missing Delicacies
Background
The samosa, a triangular-shaped pastry filled with various savory ingredients, holds a significant place in Indian cuisine. However, it recently became the subject of a political kerfuffle in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Former Chief Minister's Samosa Party
On January 5, 2023, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur hosted a "samosa party" with BJP workers, an event widely seen as a dig at the ongoing controversy surrounding the state's current Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Alleged Missing Samosas at CID Event
Earlier, reports emerged that several samosas went missing at a function attended by Chief Minister Sukhu at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters. This led to speculation about a possible investigation. However, the CID Director General clarified that it was not a formal inquiry but merely an internal discussion.
War of Words
The controversy sparked a war of words between the Congress government led by Sukhu and the opposition BJP. The BJP accused the government of having misplaced priorities, while the Congress downplayed the incident as a minor matter that was being overblown.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: What is the background of the samosa controversy?
A1: The controversy stems from allegations that several samosas went missing at a function attended by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Q2: Was there an official investigation into the missing samosas?
A2: No, the CID Director General clarified that there was no formal inquiry but merely an internal discussion.
Q3: Why did former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur host a samosa party?
A3: The samosa party was seen as a playful jab at the ongoing controversy surrounding Chief Minister Sukhu and the alleged missing samosas.
Q4: What was the reaction from the Congress government to the samosa party?
A4: The Congress government downplayed the incident as a minor matter that was being overblown.
Q5: What is the significance of samosas in Indian cuisine?
A5: Samosas are a popular street food in India, enjoyed as a savory snack or as an accompaniment to meals.
The Devendra Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra has revoked government resolutions that made Hindi mandatory as the third language in primary schools, following widespread protests and opposition from various political parties, including estranged Thackeray cousins Shiv Sena and MNS. However, questions have been raised about the timing and motives behind the government's decision, with the BJP accused of trying to impose Hindi on students. This move has also sparked a heated debate on the status of Hindi in Maharashtra, a state with a large Hindi-speaking population in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
In an effort to combat rising drug abuse rates, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has announced the implementation of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Campaign) in all medical colleges across India. Along with this, the NMC has also requested the formation of drug-free hostel committees, a schedule of activities, and awareness programs for students, faculty, and staff. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the NMC, is also planning to launch Tobacco Cessation Centres in all medical colleges to help individuals quit tobacco consumption and reduce tobacco-related diseases.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued detailed guidelines for All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), medical colleges, and other higher educational institutions to implement Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan activities to tackle the growing issue of substance abuse among students. These measures include forming committees, conducting awareness campaigns, and creating referral systems to provide support to students. The government hopes that this collaborative approach will help curb drug trafficking and protect the student population from falling prey to substance abuse.
The Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced a major step towards inclusive mobility by offering a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. This move aims to make daily commuting more affordable and encourage more women to join the workforce. The announcement was made at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim, which also includes benefits for private bus operators such as operational subsidies and upgraded technology. Sawant assured current operators that they will not be left out during the system's upgrade and urged them to join the scheme for significant annual benefits.
Former Member of the Scottish Parliament, Wendy Alexander, has accused Dundee University of pressuring her to leave her position as Vice Principal International due to her questioning of the institution's financial practices. She claims she was offered a "package and trips" as a way to leave quietly. This revelation comes after a recent report revealing financial mismanagement at the university, with the former principal, Prof Iain Gillespie, resigning last year. Alexander's comments were made in a statement to Holyrood's education committee, which also heard evidence from other former university officials expressing regret for not implementing cost-cutting measures earlier and acknowledging the pain caused to students and staff.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has announced a rally in Rajgir – the hometown of his alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar – strategically aimed at expanding his base among other Bahujan communities. The LJP (RV) has called the event "Bahujan sankalp samagam" where the 42-year-old leader will focus on a "new leadership" for the state and aim to claim a larger share in the upcoming state Assembly polls. With the key allies of the BJP-led NDA locking horns over seat-sharing, Chirag seems to be positioning himself as a major player in Bihar politics and is set to make an announcement that could potentially change the political landscape of the state.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, fulfilling a major demand of farmers in Telangana. The event was attended by various BJP leaders, who welcomed Shah at the Begumpet airport. The establishment of the Turmeric Board was a key election promise by BJP Lok Sabha member D Arvind, who defeated K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This move is aimed at improving the quality and income of turmeric farmers in the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the National Headquarters of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana. The ceremony was attended by several prominent leaders such as Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union MoDS (Home) Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BJP MP K Laxman, and BJP Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad, D Arvind. This move is expected to boost the production and export of turmeric, a key spice in Indian cuisine, and support the farmers in the region.
With the latest news and developments surrounding Justice PG Ajithkumar, stay informed about the famous judge's groundbreaking cases and decisions. Stay connected and up-to-date with the latest verdicts and judgments made by the well-known Justice as he continues to make waves in the legal world. Don't miss out on any crucial updates and stay on top of the current political landscape with this exciting news piece featuring Justice PG Ajithkumar.
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday heard arguments from ride-hailing platforms Ola, Uber, and Rapido, as well as the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, challenging a state-wide ban on bike taxis. Advocates for the petitioners argued that the ban violated their right to livelihood and hindered the service's potential to decongest roads and bridge last-mile connectivity gaps in urban areas. The ban was put in place following an expert committee report opposing bike taxis, but was later reversed to allow operations until the state issues specific guidelines. The matter is set for further hearing on July 2.