National

Yogi: SP has deviated from Lohia’s vision and now idolizes Aurangzeb

Published

11 months ago

March 5, 2025

Remarks by Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi, in which he praised Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, have ignited significant political controversy in Uttar Pradesh. During the Legislative Council’s budget debate on Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the SP, demanding Azmi’s immediate suspension and calling on the party to send him to UP.

Yogi issued a firm warning, stating that Uttar Pradesh is unafraid to confront such figures. The uproar began when Azmi referred to Aurangzeb as a “great administrator.” In response, Adityanath criticized the SP in the UP Legislative Council, accusing it of forsaking India’s cultural heritage and deviating from the ideals of its founder, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia. He pointed out that Dr. Lohia had identified Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, and Lord Shiva as the cornerstones of India’s unity, while the SP seems to now celebrate a tyrant like Aurangzeb.

Yogi recounted historical events, including Aurangzeb’s imprisonment of his father, Shah Jahan, in Agra Fort, where he suffered greatly. He urged SP leaders to read Shah Jahan’s biography, located in Patna’s library, noting that Shah Jahan himself remarked that a Hindu who cares for his elderly parents and performs annual shraddha rituals is far more virtuous than Aurangzeb. Yogi noted that those who emulate Aurangzeb may take pride in their actions.

The Chief Minister accused the Samajwadi Party of undermining India’s values by glorifying Aurangzeb, a ruler infamous for imposing the jizya tax, destroying temples, and attempting to Islamize the country. He contended that no civilised Muslim would name their son Aurangzeb, fully aware of his brutal legacy of imprisoning his father and denying him even water.

Yogi questioned the SP’s hypocrisy, highlighting its criticism of events like the Mahakumbh while venerating a “cruel and fanatical” ruler like Aurangzeb. He queried whether those who disregard the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji and idolize Aurangzeb have any right to dwell in India.

During his speech, Yogi underscored the economic and cultural importance of Mahakumbh, which symbolizes faith and has greatly benefitted the state’s economy. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “connecting heritage with development” for this metamorphosis. Yogi emphasized that pilgrimage sites like Kashi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj have experienced a remarkable influx of devotees, significantly improving local livelihoods.

Recalling the pre-2019 situation in Kashi, where only a few devotees visited, he noted that the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham transformed the city. “From January 13 to February 27-28, Kashi was alive with activity as between 5 to 25 lakh devotees arrived daily to bathe in the Ganges and admire the city’s splendor,” he stated.

Yogi praised the hospitality and patience shown by Kashi’s residents. A similar scene unfolded in Ayodhya, where daily visitation ranged from 5 to 15 lakh devotees, warmly welcomed by the locals and saints alike.

During the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, when roughly 2 lakh vehicles were halted in nearby districts, residents stepped up to provide food and water. Citing an example of a boatman family whose 130-boat fleet garnered Rs 30 crore between January 13 and February 26, he highlighted the economic benefits of the Mahakumbh, which is projected to contribute over Rs 3.5 lakh crore to Uttar Pradesh’s economy.

Yogi declared that this is a testament to the Prime Minister’s vision, asserting that Uttar Pradesh is the soul of India and that the splendor of the Mahakumbh has not gone unnoticed by the world.

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.