Tensions have risen in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district as a team arrived to survey a disputed site, where a Harihar temple was claimed to stand on the grounds of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid. Videos of cars being set on fire and stone-pelting have emerged on social media, showing the chaos that ensued. Police have used tear gas to control the situation, and a local court had ordered a second survey to be conducted after a previous one was conducted last week. Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq has spoken out in defense of the mosque, citing a Supreme Court order from 1991.
A heated debate has arisen between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP over the issue of voter identity verification for Muslim women wearing burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats in the upcoming UP by-election. The Samajwadi Party has approached the Election Commission demanding that Muslim women should not have to remove their burqas for checks, while the BJP argues that every voter must be identified. The Election Commission has confirmed that only the polling officer is authorised to verify voter ID cards, and police or security personnel are not permitted to check ID cards or request a woman to remove her burqa. As polling continues, the outcome of this controversy remains to be seen.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is pulling out all the stops to ensure victory in the upcoming by-elections. This decision comes after criticism from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who accused Adityanath of campaigning out of fear of losing his position. Adityanath has already campaigned in nine constituencies and will now shift his focus to Majhawan and Khair, in a bid to secure his party's place in the state's political landscape.
Akhilesh Yadav, leader of Samajwadi Party and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, defied barricades set up by the BJP government and paid tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary. Yadav also called on Bihar's chief minister to withdraw support from the NDA and criticized the BJP for trying to block their celebrations at the JP International Centre. Despite the obstacles, Yadav and hundreds of party workers stood on the road to honor the socialist leader known as the "Jan Nayak," highlighting the ongoing political tension.
In the midst of heightened investigations into a fake currency case in Uttar Pradesh, a notice may soon be issued to the former president of the state's Indian National Congress unit, Ajay Kumar Lallu. This follows the recent arrest of a Samajwadi Party leader in the same case in Kushinagar. With the local authorities stepping up their efforts to uncover the network behind the counterfeit notes and a team being dispatched to Nepal for further inquiries, the seriousness with which law enforcement is tackling the issue is becoming apparent. The situation remains dynamic as authorities continue their efforts.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has written to all State and Union territory chief secretaries urging them to close down madrasas, stop state funding, and enroll children in formal schools instead. While Congress and BJP ally JD(U) did not respond to the letter, LJP spokesperson AK Bajpayee expressed concern over potential hasty actions and the need for proper survey and investigation. Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadauriya condemned the letter as politically motivated and pointed out the positive contributions of madrasas, while former Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted the flaws in government schools and the need for careful consideration before taking any action.
Uttar Pradesh's Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre, a museum dedicated to the memory of socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, has become the center of a new political controversy between Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Yadav has accused the BJP of neglecting the museum and not giving it its due recognition, while the BJP has hit back, claiming that the museum has been fully funded and supported by their government. The heated exchanges between the two parties have sparked debates about the legacy of Narayan and the state of politics in Uttar Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed outrage at the Yogi Adityanath government's decision to block access to the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre on the eve of the socialist leader's birth anniversary. The party shared footage of the blockade on social media, calling it an attack on democracy and accusing the BJP of playing "dirty politics". Yadav also questioned the motives behind the blockade, suggesting that the government may be planning to sell or gift the property. This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between the Samajwadi Party and BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
There has been a recent trend of work-related deaths in India, with an HDFC bank employee in Lucknow being the latest victim. The 45-year-old employee, Sadaf Fatima, died while working, falling off her chair and dying instantly. Her colleagues claim that she was under a lot of work pressure, and the incident has sparked a nationwide debate on workplace pressure, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav emphasizing the need for companies and government departments to reassess their priorities and working conditions.
The sudden death of Sadaf Fatima, a 45-year-old HDFC Bank employee, due to work pressure in Lucknow has raised concerns about the country's economic stress. Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, highlighted the need for companies and government departments to prioritize the mental health and well-being of their employees. This incident adds to the ongoing debate over the glorification of overwork in the workplace, following the death of Ernst and Young employee, Anna Sebastian.