The Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Narottam Mishra, has ordered a probe panel after a Damoh-based school’s controversial poster featuring Hindu girls in ‘hijab’ went viral. In response, Damoh Collector Mayank Agarwal has formed a committee including officials from various departments to swiftly address the matter. However, the school claims the girls were wearing a scarf as a part of their uniform, which was mistakenly identified as a ‘hijab’ by some right-wing activists. The incident has drawn significant attention, leading to the state’s Home Minister ordering an investigation. The collaborative approach taken towards this issue highlights the government’s concerted efforts to address concerns raised by the controversial posters. The engagement of multiple departments is indicative of the serious nature of the matter and the need for a thorough investigation.
VB arrests PSPCL employees for corruption in Ludhiana
Two employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in Ludhiana, India were arrested by the Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 ($68.34). A sub-divisional officer (SDO) and a lineman were accused by a resident of Bittu Colony, Tajpur Road in Bhamian village of threatening to shut off the power to his factory if he failed to pay the bribe. The man alleged that the power personnel had already taken a bribe of Rs 34,000 ($464.11) from him in instalments and were demanding more. The VB laid a trap and caught the lineman while taking the bribe, before arresting the SDO as part of the same case. An FIR was filed and both the accused were to be presented in court on 25 March.
19KG LPG Cylinder Price Reduced by Rs 83.50 with New Rates Available
The prices for commercial liquified petroleum gas (LPG) have been revised by state-run oil market companies (OMCs), but domestic cooking gas rates remain unchanged. The latest revision has resulted in the price of an LPG cylinder in New Delhi dropping by Rs 83.50 to Rs 1773/cylinder from Rs 1856.50/cylinder, with similar reductions across Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. The prices for both commercial and domestic LPG cylinders are revised on the first day of every month, with the May revision being the last for domestic cooking gas. Currently, domestic cooking gas costs Rs 1,003 per 14.2-kg cylinder in New Delhi, with Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai experiencing appropriate variations.
PM Modi invited for Ram temple’s Pran-Pratishtha ceremony
The Board of Trustees of Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust plans to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the week-long ‘Pran-Pratishtha’ ceremony, during which the idol of Ram Lalla will be installed in the Ram temple’s sanctum sanctorum in Ayodhya. The ceremony is set to begin on Makar Sankranti, which falls in January 2024. The Trust is currently seeking advice from astrologers to determine an auspicious date for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony.
According to Champat Rai, the general secretary of the Trust, Ayodhya Pran-Pratishtha ceremonies will also be organised in temples across the country. The Trust will invite Prime Minister Modi to the seven-day-long Pran-Pratishtha ceremony once a date for the event has been determined, which will be between December 2023 and January 26, 2024.
Recently, construction work has begun related to the flooring of the ground floor of the Ram Mandir, and work is set to commence on Thursday. The white Markana marble of Rajasthan will be used for the flooring of the Ram Mandir, and Rai is confident that construction work on the ground floor will be completed by the end of this year.
Police Personnel Injured in Gunfight with Suspected Kuki Militants in Manipur
Three police personnel in Manipur’s Bishnupur district were injured during a gunfight with alleged Kuki militants on Wednesday night. The encounter took place at Tangjeng under the Kumbi police station. The injured police have been taken to a nearby hospital. The senior officials have reported heavy gunfire from Chanung in Imphal East district but no casualty stats have been released yet. Over the last month, ethnic clashes have been taking place in Manipur following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Over 80 people have reportedly been killed during the violence. Army and police forces are searching for hidden arms caches throughout the state while drones monitor the area. Home Minister Amit Shah has vowed to restore peace in Manipur and ensure a safe return home for internally displaced people.
UP Prisoners Receive Skill Training in 60 Different Trades
The Uttar Pradesh government is providing skill training to prisoners in various trades to help them reintegrate into society when they are released. In the last year, 8,160 prisoners have received training in about 60 trades, including carpentry, beautician, sewing, embroidery, and more. The training is being given under the Prime Minister’s skill development programme. In Ayodhya zone, 376 prisoners received training in 12 trades, while in Gorakhpur zone, 373 prisoners received training in eight trades. In Bareilly zone, 1,010 prisoners received training in 20 trades, and in Kanpur zone, 388 prisoners received training in 15 trades. In Prayagraj zone, at least 541 prisoners received training in 17 trades, and in Meerut zone, at least 3,225 prisoners received training in six district jails. The spokesperson for the government reported that the programme was aimed at helping prisoners reintegrate better into society after their release.
Khap Maha Panchayat Convenes in Muzaffarnagar to Tackle Wrestlers’ Issue in UP
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) is organizing a ‘mahapanchayat’ in Sauram village in Muzaffarnagar district on Thursday to address the ongoing protest by wrestlers and come up with a strategic plan. Khap and farmer leaders from five Indian states will attend the event, which the protesting wrestlers will not take part in. The Sarv khap, an umbrella body of khaps, has informed all 365 of its member khaps about the event, and 28 khaps from western UP will participate. Naresh Tikait, the chief of Balyan khap, said that the government should arrest BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, and the court of law should resolve the dispute. On Tuesday, some of India’s top wrestlers had threatened to immerse their World and Olympic medals in the Ganga, but refrained after khap and farmer leaders convinced them not to do so, promising to address their grievances in five days.
