The National Conference has announced that former chief minister Omar Abdullah will be contesting from the Ganderbal constituency in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The constituency has traditionally been a strong hold for the party, with three generations of the Abdullah family being elected there in the past. The announcement came as the party released its second list of candidates, and amidst an alliance with the Congress in the union territory. In other political news, the speaker of the Odisha assembly has called for an all party meet after opposition parties caused a ruckus over reservation issues. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the rape case involving a doctor has led to protests, with police resorting to using lathi-charges and tear gas to control the situation.
Omar Abdullah to Contest from Ganderbal in J&K Elections
The National Conference (NC) has announced that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will contest the upcoming assembly elections from the Ganderbal constituency. The constituency has been a stronghold for the Abdullah family, with three generations of the family having been elected from there.
Abdullah's announcement comes as the NC released its second list of candidates. The party has formed an alliance with the Congress for the elections. The NC-Congress alliance is seen as a challenger to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir are crucial as they will be the first since the region's special status under Article 370 was revoked by the central government in 2019. The elections are expected to be held in the next few months.
Speaker of Odisha Assembly Calls for All-Party Meet
The Speaker of the Odisha Assembly has called for an all-party meeting to discuss reservation issues. The meeting was called after opposition parties created a ruckus in the assembly over the issue.
The opposition parties are demanding an increase in the percentage of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and educational institutions. The government has said that it is considering the demands, but no decision has been made yet.
The all-party meeting is expected to be held in the next few days. The meeting is likely to be attended by representatives from all political parties represented in the assembly.
Kolkata Rape Case Protests Continue
Protests continue in Kolkata over the alleged rape of a doctor at a private hospital. The protests have led to clashes between protesters and police, with police resorting to using lathi-charges and tear gas to control the situation.
The alleged rape took place on January 29th. A doctor at a private hospital has been arrested in connection with the case. The doctor has denied the allegations.
The protests have been ongoing since the incident. Protesters are demanding the arrest of the hospital's management and the resignation of the state health minister.
The state government has ordered a probe into the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why is Omar Abdullah contesting from Ganderbal?
Omar Abdullah is contesting from Ganderbal because the constituency has been a stronghold for the Abdullah family for generations.
2. What is the significance of the NC-Congress alliance?
The NC-Congress alliance is seen as a challenger to the ruling BJP in the upcoming elections.
3. Why are opposition parties protesting in the Odisha Assembly?
Opposition parties are protesting in the Odisha Assembly over reservation issues. They are demanding an increase in the percentage of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
4. What is the latest on the Kolkata rape case?
Protests continue in Kolkata over the alleged rape of a doctor at a private hospital. The protests have led to clashes between protesters and police.
5. What is the status of the investigation into the Kolkata rape case?
The investigation into the Kolkata rape case is ongoing. A doctor has been arrested in connection with the case, but he has denied the allegations.
Amid preparations for the crucial Delhi assembly elections in 2025, the Congress has appointed Qazi Nizamuddin as the AICC in-charge of the state, replacing Deepak Babaria. This comes after all Shiv Sena MLAs unanimously chose Eknath Shinde as the leader of the legislative party. Meanwhile, Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan has formed committees of the assembly which will work till March 31, 2025, with members from various political parties. Additionally, Nepal's trade deficit has crossed Rs 460 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, highlighting the economic challenges faced by the country.
The Supreme Court has rejected three petitions seeking to delete the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Preamble of the Constitution of India. The Court stated that the power to amend the Constitution extends to the Preamble and that the words were inserted in 1976 during a national emergency. The Court also clarified that the terms 'secular' and 'socialist' do not restrict economic policies and reflect the State's commitment to equality and welfare. The petitions were filed by former BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, and Balram Singh.
As India celebrates Constitution Day on November 26, President Droupadi Murmu delivered a joint address to both Houses of Parliament, marking 75 years of the adoption of India's Constitution. In her speech, she highlighted the government's efforts towards the welfare of all sections of society, especially the weaker sections. This day is observed every year as a tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, on his 125th birth anniversary.
Bangladesh's chief advisor, Muhammad Yunus, has condemned the violent clashes that erupted over the arrest of a Hindu religious leader and ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu. A public prosecutor was killed in the clash, prompting the government to order an investigation and increase security in Chittagong. The arrest of the monk, who is associated with a group advocating for the protection of Hindu minorities, has sparked outrage among his supporters.
On Constitution Day, both the Prime Minister and President emphasized the significance of the Constitution in shaping India's progress and development. At the PMO and Supreme Court celebrations, officials and leaders reflected on the document's role in achieving social justice and inclusivity. The release of a special coin and stamp serves as a commemoration of the Constitution's 75 years of impact.
A protest was held in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district against the planned shutdown of a charitable hospital managed by Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Bhota. The hospital, which has been operating since 2000 and serves over 100,000 people, is facing closure due to unresolved land transfer issues. Despite claims by the hospital administrator that the closure notice was issued by the sect's management, the state government has yet to guarantee the hospital will continue to operate. This move has caused concern among residents who rely on the free healthcare services provided by the hospital.
"Madhya Pradesh CM Invites Investors to State's Global Investors Summit, Highlights Development Progress Made Under PM Modi's Leadership" Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended an event in London, where he invited investors to the state's upcoming Global Investors Summit. In his address, CM Yadav highlighted the development work undertaken in the state, crediting the leadership of PM Modi. He also spoke about the various sectors in Madhya Pradesh, such as infrastructure and healthcare, that have seen significant progress under the government. With subsidies and incentives in place, CM Yadav emphasized that the state is ready to welcome investors and create a positive impact for both Madhya Pradesh and the country.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has rejected food consignments from various countries, citing concerns over food safety and quality. This decision highlights India's growing vigilance in regulating food imports and safeguarding public health. Stakeholders are urged to ensure compliance with safety norms to avoid similar rejections in the future. With increasing scrutiny on imported goods, the rejection of these consignments reflects the FSSAI's commitment to enforcing strict regulations and protecting consumer interests in the face of global supply chain challenges.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a well-known Hindu leader in Bangladesh, has been arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on charges of sedition. His arrest has sparked protests and drawn international attention to the ongoing religious tensions and discrimination against minorities in the country. Despite efforts by his legal team, he has been denied bail and transferred to jail. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also expressed deep concern over the incident and the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.
On Constitution Day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi, accusing him and the RSS of working against the principles of the Indian Constitution. He stressed the importance of understanding and upholding its values, and reiterated Congress' commitment to conducting caste-based censuses in states where they are in power. Gandhi also highlighted the need for representation of marginalized communities in fields like education and media to dismantle systemic discrimination.