National

Chhattisgarh Modifies Friday Prayer Times for Holi to Promote Communal Harmony; BJP Supports the Initiative

Published

11 months ago

March 13, 2025

In an effort to promote communal harmony during the upcoming Holi festivities, the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board has officially announced a temporary change in the timing of Friday (Jumma) prayers on March 14. Rather than the customary schedule of 12:30 PM to 1 PM, the prayers will now be held from 2 PM to 3 PM. This adjustment aims to avert any potential overlap between Holi celebrations and the congregational prayers, thereby reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or conflicts.

Dr. Salim Raj, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Waqf Board, highlighted the significance of preserving peace and brotherhood during this festive period. He expressed, “Our goal is to ensure that our nation remains free from riots and to uphold communal harmony. Given that Holi and Friday prayers coincide this year, we have opted to shift the prayer timings to allow both communities to honor their traditions peacefully.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed support for this adjustment. State BJP spokesperson Kedar Gupta noted that Chhattisgarh has a longstanding tradition of all communities celebrating festivals together in a harmonious atmosphere, and the Waqf Board’s decision reinforces that spirit. He also took aim at the Congress party, accusing it of appeasement politics and contrasting it with the BJP‘s dedication to inclusive development.

Former Waqf Board chairman and Congress figure Salam Rijvi also called upon both Hindu and Muslim communities to celebrate responsibly to avoid disputes. He mentioned that several mosques had independently decided to shift Friday prayers to after 2 PM in accordance with the board’s guidance.

To maintain public safety during the celebrations, law enforcement has put comprehensive security measures in place. Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Lal Umendra Singh detailed plans that include establishing 80 security checkpoints across the city, ongoing CCTV surveillance, and heightened patrols in sensitive areas. Special teams of senior officers will supervise law enforcement efforts, with a commitment to take strict action against anyone attempting to disrupt public order.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.