Name: Delhi pollution: air quality improves to 'moderate' category, AQI at 190
Uploaded: 2023-10-25T10:38:37.000+05:30
Duration: T00M34S
Channel: ANI
Description: With an AQI of 190, the air quality improved in Delhi and moved from 'poor' to 'moderate' category.

The cash seizure in the income-tax department's searches against an Odisha-based distillery company has crossed 300 crore rupees, according to a PTI report.&nbsp;

Cash haul in IT raids linked to Congress MP crosses Rs 300-crore mark

The cash seizure in the income-tax department's searches against an Odisha-based distillery company has crossed 300 crore rupees, according to a PTI report. 

The cash seizure in the income-tax department's searches against an Odisha-based distillery company has crossed 300 crore rupees, according to a PTI report.&nbsp;

The cash seizure in the income-tax department's searches against an Odisha-based distillery company has become the "highest-ever" such haul in a single action conducted by any probe agency in the country and gone past Rs 300 crore, official sources said on Sunday.
The marathon raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited, its promoters and others entered the fifth day on Sunday. The raids were launched on December 6 by the taxman on charges of tax evasion and "off-the-book" transactions.
The sources told PTI that cash to the tune of more than Rs 300 crore has been counted till now and the counting is still on.
The department believes that the entire cache of currency is "unaccounted" money earned from cash sales of country liquor by the business group, distributors and others.
This is the highest-ever cash seizure made by an agency in the country as part of an action against a single group and entities linked to it, the sources had said.
Some of the high-value seizures in the past include one from 2019 when the GST Intelligence raided a Kanpur-based businessman and seized cash amounting to Rs 257 crore and another instance where cash amounting to Rs 163 crore was unearthed by the I-T department during searches against a road construction firm in Tamil Nadu in July 2018.
The department is also recording the statements of the executives and other staff who were present at the searched locations and will soon issue summonses to the main promoters of the company for recording their statements.
The premises of Congress's Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, in Ranchi and other places were also covered during the searches by the department. It was not clear what amount of cash and other documents were seized from Sahu's house.
The company and the MP did not respond to PTI's queries regarding the action being carried out against them.
Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy sought to know on Sunday why Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is silent on the seizure of crores of rupees from premises allegedly linked to his party MP during these I-T department searches.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the Centre of targeting only the Congress and not the BJP, in the wake of this huge cash seizure.

SC verdict on Article 370: two separate judgments authored, says report

The Hindustan Times reported that the two judgements have been authored over a batch of pleas challenging Centre's August 5, 2019 move.&nbsp;

A five-judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court is set to pronounce verdict on the Centre&rsquo;s decision to water down Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special rights.&nbsp;
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, Bhushan R Gavai and Surya Kant are the members of the bench. The Hindustan Times report said that CJI Chandrachud and Justice Kaul have authored two separate judgments for the bench.
Following a marathon hearing spanning 16 days, the bench had on September 5 reserved its verdict in the matter.
&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir police have said that they have put in place adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere before and after the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370

Article 370 verdict | J&K police issues social media guidelines to maintain peace

The Jammu and Kashmir police have said that they have put in place adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere before and after the Supreme Court verdict on Article 370

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir as the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution by the Centre in August 2019, a senior police officer said on Sunday.
"We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the valley under all circumstances," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI.
The Supreme Court has listed for pronouncement of judgment the petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its verdict on the petitions on September 5 after conducting daily hearings in the matter from August 2.
While the IGP refused to divulge specifics of the security set-up for Monday, he said "adequate arrangements" have been put in place.
"We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir," Birdi, who held security review meetings in most of the 10 valley districts over the last two weeks, said.
Asked if orders invoking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on the misuse of social media were related to the Supreme Court's expected judgment, he said there have been several incidents of some elements trying to provoke people.
"There have been several posts recently, in which there were attempts to provoke people. Action has been taken against such elements in the past and action will be taken in the future as well," he added.
The authorities have issued guidelines for social media users under CrPC section 144 to curb the spread of contents that are communally sensitive or promote terrorism and secessionism.
"The guidelines aim to provide clarity on actions citizens should take when encountering content related to terrorism, secessionism, threats, intimidation or communally-sensitive material on social media platforms," the circular, issued by police in several districts, read.
According to the guidelines, the citizens have been asked to contribute to maintaining a safe online environment and promptly report any suspicious activity.
"If you receive a message containing objectionable content, then report it immediately to the nearest police station or police post with a screenshot and detailed information," the guidelines read.
The users have been advised to "recall messages promptly" in case they accidentally share inappropriate content.
Political parties in Kashmir are cautious in voicing their expectations from the Supreme Court.
National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said he can only hope and pray that the decision will be in favour of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Who will say with authority what is to happen? I do not have any such machinery or way by which I can come to know today what those five honourable judges have in their hearts or what they have written in the judgment.
"I can only hope and pray that the decision is in our favour, but neither me nor anyone else can claim that success will be ours. We are waiting for the judgment. Let it come, we will talk about it then," he said.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said it is the apex court's responsibility to ensure that it does not push the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, but keeps the integrity of the country and its Constitution intact.
Mufti said the court's decision should be clear that the decision taken by the BJP-led Centre on August 5, 2019 to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 was "illegal, unconstitutional", against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here.
"I think the decision should be simple that whatever was done on August 5, 2019 was illegal, unconstitutional, against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here," she said.&nbsp;

Former J&amp;K chief minister Omar Abdullah has expressed regret that the workers of political parties are being arrested by the police ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370.&nbsp;

Article 370 verdict | Trust us, we are not disturbing peace: Omar Abdullah on arrests in J&K

Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah has expressed regret that the workers of political parties are being arrested by the police ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370. 

Former J&amp;K chief minister Omar Abdullah has expressed regret that the workers of political parties are being arrested by the police ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Article 370.&nbsp;

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said on Sunday that his party will not disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir even in case of an adverse Supreme Court verdict on petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said his party will continue with its fight for the restoration of the rights of the people of the region through peaceful means as laid down in the Constitution.
"The Supreme Court has to give its verdict, let it. If we had to disturb the situation, we would have done it after 2019. However, we said it then and we reiterate it now that our fight will be peaceful and in accordance with the Constitution, taking help of the law for protecting our rights and preserving our identity.
"What is wrong in it? Don't we have a right to say this in a democracy? Can't we raise objections in a democracy? If others can talk, why not us?" Abdullah asked at a party convention at Rafiabad in Baramulla district.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370.
The Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370, which bestowed a special status on Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories.
Abdullah said NC leaders are being summoned to police stations since Saturday night and intimidated.
"The Supreme Court has not passed a verdict yet. How do you know what is the verdict? May be it is in our favour. Then what is the need to call my party colleagues to police stations? They are being called to police stations since Saturday night and threatened. They are being told that they should not write this or that on social media. Are these threats only for the NC? Tell me whether you have called a BJP leader (to a police station). Allah willing, if the verdict goes against them (Bharatiya Janata Party), what will you do if they start writing against it on Facebook?" Abdullah asked.
He said there is no justification for putting curbs on NC leaders as they have always been votaries for peace.
"We never asked youngsters to hurl stones.... In fact, (NC president) Farooq Abdullah told people that he was willing to step down as the chief minister if they did not like him but not to bring guns here," the former Union minister said.
He also said police should trust the people of the region as no one wants to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, talking to reporters, Abdullah said the NC had approached the apex court against the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 with the hope of getting justice.
"We had knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court with the hope of getting justice and that sentiment persists even today," he said.&nbsp;

Vishnu Deo Sai has been elected as the new Chhattisgarh CM by the 54 newly-elected MLAs of the BJP

Vishnu Deo Sai, prominent tribal leader, is new Chhattisgarh CM

Vishnu Deo Sai is new Chhattisgarh CM: reports
Sai is a prominent tribal leader in Chhattisgarh
BJP central leadership proposed Sai's name: reports

Vishnu Deo Sai has been elected as the new Chhattisgarh CM by the 54 newly-elected MLAs of the BJP

Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal face of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Chhattisgarh, will be state chief minister after he was elected as leader of BJP's legislative party during a meeting of 54 newly-elected MLAs on Sunday.
Incidentally, addressing a poll rally in the Kunkuri constituency last month, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah had urged voters to elect Sai, promising to make the latter a "big man" if the party comes back to power in the state.
The BJP won 54 seats in the 90-member Assembly in the recently held polls, while the Congress was reduced to 35 seats from the 68 it won in 2018.
The BJP, which had suffered a huge setback in tribal-dominated seats in 2018, put up a good show this time, winning 17 of the 29 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
The saffron outfit won all the 14 assembly segments in the tribal-dominated Surguja region and eight out of the 12 seats in another Adivasi belt Bastar.
The BJP's comprehensive win in the two tribal turfs contributed in its resounding victory in the Assembly polls and return to power in the state after a gap of five years.
Sai started his political career as a village sarpanch and rose to become a Union minister and multiple-time Lok Sabha MP besides getting important organisational roles.
The newly-elected MLA from Jashpur district in the Surguja region perfectly fits in the BJP's scheme of things since Adivasis account for nearly 32 per cent of the state's population and are the second most dominant social group after OBCs.
Despite inheriting a rich political legacy of his family and holding key portfolios when he was a Union minister, the 59-year-old tribal leader is known for his humility, down to earth nature, dedication to work and determination to achieve goals.
Sai has headed the BJP's Chhattisgarh unit three times, displaying the central leadership's faith in his organisational skills.
Starting his political career as the sarpanch of an obscure village, Sai rose through the ranks and became a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first Council of Ministers after the BJP formed its full majority government at the Centre in 2014.
Though he hails from a farming family based in a small village, Bagia, in the tribal-dominated Jashpur district, politics runs in the blood of the BJP leader.
His grandfather late Budhnath Sai was a nominated MLA from 1947 to 1952. His 'bade pitaji' (elder brother of his father) late Narhari Prasad Sai was a member of the Jan Sangh (BJP's predecessor) and served as a two-term MLA (1962-67 and 1972-77) and was elected as an MP (1977-79) and served as a Minister of State in the Janata Party government.
Another elder brother of his father, late Kedarnath Sai, was also a Jan Sangh member and served as MLA from Tapkara (1967-72).
Vishnu Deo Sai studied in a government school in Kunkuri and went to Ambikapur for graduation but quit studies midway and returned to his village in 1988. In 1989, he was elected as a 'panch' of Bagia village panchayat and next year became the sarpanch unopposed.
It is said it was BJP stalwart late Dilip Singh Judev who encouraged him to enter electoral politics in 1990. In the same year, Sai was elected as MLA for the first time on a BJP ticket from Tapkara (in Jashpur district) in undivided Madhya Pradesh. He retained the seat in the 1993 assembly polls.
In 1998, he unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls from the adjoining Pathalgaon seat. Later, he was elected as MP from Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency four times in a row - 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014.
Though the BJP fielded him in 2003 and 2008 Assembly elections from Pathalgaon in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence as a separate state on November 1, 2000, he lost on both occasions.
After the BJP formed its government at the Centre in 2014 under the leadership of PM Modi, Sai was made Minister of State for Steel and Mines.
He was among the then 10 sitting BJP MPs in Chhattisgarh who were denied tickets for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The tribal politician served as the BJP's Chhattisgarh chief from 2006 to 2010 and again from January-August 2014.
After the BJP lost power in the state in 2018, he was again given the responsibility to lead the party in Chhattisgarh in 2020.
He was replaced with Arun Sao, an OBC leader, in 2022, just a year ahead of the Assembly polls.
Ahead of the polls in November this year, Sai was named a member of the BJP national executive in July. He was fielded from Kunkuri (Jashpur district) in the elections which he won by defeating Congress' sitting MLA UD Minj by a margin of 25,541 votes.

Behanji has named Akash Anand as her successor. He has been deputed to consolidate party's position in weaker states for 2024 elections, BSP party member said

Change of guard in BSP; Mayawati names nephew as successor

Anand Kumar, brother of Mayawati and her nephew Akash Anand were appointed BSP's national vice president and national coordinator in 2019&nbsp;

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections in 2024, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati has named her nephew and party's national coordinator Akash Anand as her successor, party leader Udayveer Singh told news agency ANI on Sunday.
Behanji has named Akash Anand as her successor. He has been deputed to consolidate party's position in weaker states for 2024 elections, Singh said speaking to reporters after the party meeting in Lucknow which was chaired by Mayawai

The Congress has said that it has nothing to do with the businesses of its MP Dheeraj Sahu whose properties are currently being raided by the Income Tax department 

Odisha tax raid: Congress distances itself from MP Dheeraj Sahu

The Congress has said that it has nothing to do with the businesses of its MP Dheeraj Sahu whose properties are currently being raided by the Income Tax department&nbsp;

The Congress has distanced itself from its Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu after income tax officers recovered close to Rs 300 crore unaccounted cash from properties linked to him.&nbsp;
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted that the party is not linked to any one Sahu's businesses.&nbsp;
'The Indian National Congress is in no way connected with the businesses of MP Dheeraj Sahu. Only he can explain, and should explain, how huge amounts of cash have been reportedly unearthed by the income-tax authorities from his properties,' he tweeted.&nbsp;
Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday took a dig at the Congress over the recovery of "unaccounted" cash from the premises of a party leader during income tax raids, saying this is not the first time a Congress MP is found involved in "corruption".
The seizure of "unaccounted" cash after the income-tax department raided an Odisha-based distillery group and entities linked to it is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the "highest-ever" black money haul by any agency in a single operation, official sources said on Saturday.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/needs-technical-correction-foreign-ministry-after-meenakshi-lekhi-denies-answering-hamas-question-1702130282496">'Needs technical correction': foreign ministry after Meenakshi Lekhi denies answering Hamas question</a>
The tax department has deployed about 40 large and small machines to count the currency notes and brought in more department and bank staffers to finish the process, which began on December 6 following raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited and others, the sources said.
Besides these, more vehicles have also been requisitioned by the department to transport the seized cash to government banks in the state.
(with PTI inputs)

India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing asovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel: MEA statement

Israel-Gaza war: S Jaishankar speaks to Palestinian PM Mohmmad Shtayyeh

India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel: MEA statement

External affairs minister S Jaishankar held a conversation with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohmmad Shtayyeh, and reiterated India's &lsquo;long-standing position&rsquo; on the Palestine-Israel issue, he said on X on 9 December 2023.
Palestinian Prime Minister expressed deep concern on the situation in Gaza and West Bank, the post on X said.
Earlier in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority and expressed his condolences over the loss of lives at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.
"India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel. That position remains the same.", Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a press briefing on October 12.

The Nagaland minister can be seen preparing and savouring an egg roll in a post on X.

Trending: social media star, Nagaland minister Temjen Imna Along turns culinary maestro

The Nagaland minister can be seen preparing and savouring an egg roll in a post on X.

Internet sensation Minister Temjen Imna Along is trending on social media yet again, this time for sharing his culinary expertise in a video on X.
The Nagaland minister can be seen preparing and savouring an egg roll in a post on X.
The video that left food lovers drooling, has gone viral on social media with over 73,000 views with some fans inviting him to their homes to enjoy a meal.

Karnataka: citing slow pace of trial, accused in journalist murder case granted bail

'Though charges were framed in the present case on 30.10.2021, for the last more than two years, only 90 witnesses have been examined. There are more than 400 charge sheet witnesses who are yet to be examined in the case,' HC said citing delay in trial

Mohan Nayak N, the 11th accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, has been granted bail by the High Court of Karnataka.
The allegation against Nayak was that "he had conspired with the other accused persons to commit the murder of deceased Gauri Lankesh and in furtherance of such conspiracy, he had taken a house for rent at Ramanagara in an isolated place and had given shelter in the said house to accused number 2 &amp; 3 who are the actual assailants in the present case."
He is the first accused in the case to obtain bail, which was granted by the single judge bench of Justice S Vishwajith Shetty.
One of the grounds on which Nayak was granted bail was the delay in the trial.
"In the present case, out of 527 charge sheet witnesses, only 90 witnesses have been examined. This Court on 11.02.2019 directed the Trial Court to expedite the trial. Though charges were framed in the present case on 30.10.2021, for the last more than two years, only 90 witnesses have been examined. There are more than 400 charge sheet witnesses who are yet to be examined in the case.
Even if it is assumed that all the witnesses mentioned in the charge sheet may not be examined in the case, considering the fact that only 90 witnesses have been examined for the last more than two years, it can be safely presumed that any time soon, the trial of the case may not be completed," the HC said in its judgement.
Nayak is in custody since July 18, 2018.
Gauri was murdered outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017 by bike-borne men. The police arrested a total of 17 men in connection with the case and claim that Gauri's murder was connected to the murder of Kannada writer M M Kalburgi and those of Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar in Maharashtra.

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Cyclone Michaung

With an AQI of 190, the air quality improved in Delhi and moved from 'poor' to 'moderate' category.

Delhi pollution: air quality improves to 'moderate' category, AQI at 190

With an AQI of 190, the air quality improved in Delhi and moved from the 'poor' to the 'moderate' category.

The overall air quality in the national capital on Wednesday morning was recorded in the 'moderate' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 190, as per SAFAR-India.
As per the latest data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality around Delhi University was recorded at 273 (poor) in the morning hours, while the IIT area in New Delhi was at 173 today.
According to the SAFAR, the air quality in Lodhi Road was recorded at 149 which falls in the 'moderate' category.
The air quality stands at 190 this morning in areas including Signature Bridge and Akshardham.
Meanwhile, Noida recorded an AQI of 219 (poor) and Gurugram 169 (moderate).
As per the data, the AQI stood above 300 in at least 13 pollution hotspots in Delhi on Tuesday.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/elections/mizoram-assembly-elections/mizoram-elections-rahul-gandhi-shares-video-of-interaction-with-students-watch-1697968587187">Mizoram elections: Rahul Gandhi shares video of interaction with students | Watch</a>

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said that workers of her party and others were being taken to police stations ahead of the Supreme Court's verdict on Article 370. She said the administration's actions indicate that the verdict will not be in the favour of J&K.

Article 370 | J&K admin's actions indicate SC verdict not in favour of J&K: Mehbooba Mufti

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said that workers of her party and others were being taken to police stations ahead of the Supreme Court's verdict on Article 370. She said the administration's actions indicate that the verdict will not be in the favour of J&amp;K.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said the actions of the Jammu and Kashmir adminstration hint towards the Supreme Court passing a verdict on petitions related to Article 370 of the Constitution, which might be against the interest of the country.
"Since Friday night, we are witnessing that lists containing the names of the workers of different parties, especially the PDP, are being taken through police stations and it seems that such a decision is to come which is not in favour of this country and Jammu and Kashmir, but only to further the BJP's agenda and hence, some precautionary measures are being taken, which is unfortunate," Mufti told reporters in Anantnag.
She asserted that it is the apex court's responsibility to ensure that it does not push the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) agenda, but keeps the integrity of the country and its Constitution intact.
Mufti said the court's decision should be clear that the decision taken by the BJP-led Centre on August 5, 2019 to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 was "illegal, unconstitutional", against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here.
"First, the Supreme Court took a lot of time to hear the cases. It took it five years. Then, the Supreme Court itself in its previous judgments has said no one can abrogate Article 370 barring the constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.
"So I think the decision should be simple that whatever was done on August 5, 2019 was illegal, unconstitutional, against Jammu and Kashmir and the promises made to the people here," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/sc-to-deliver-verdict-on-article-370-abrogation-today-1702258162137">SC to deliver verdict on Article 370 abrogation today</a>

While one Dogra ruler bought the valley for 75 lakh Nanakshahis in 1846, another in 1947 was forced to sign the 'Instrument of Accession'

Supreme Court Article 370 verdict: timeline of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status

Supreme Court Article 370 verdict: a visual history of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status

While one Dogra ruler bought the valley for 75 lakh Nanakshahis in 1846, another in 1947 was forced to sign the 'Instrument of Accession'

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, National Conference President and Member Parliament from Srinagar constituency, reminded the lawmakers: "Maharaja Kashmir (Hari Singh) wanted to remain independent. He wanted to be between these two nations. But Pakistanis did not want that. Pakistanis invaded and he had to come to India for help."
Farooq Abdullah, who has been chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir multiple times, and whose party won a thumping majority when the democratic process restarted in the region in 1996 after the eruption of militancy in 1989, was responding to the Narendra Modi government&rsquo;s decision to water down the special status guaranteed under Article 370, the arrangement which was rooted in the Amritsar Treat of 1846, signed between the East India Company and Maharaja of Punjab Empire Ranjit Singh. &nbsp;
The British colonisers as a reward for the Dogra ruler Gulab Singh&rsquo;s stance during the Anglo-Sikh war offered him a sale deed granting him dominion over Jammu and Kashmir for 7.5 million Nanakshahi rupees on March 16, 1846.
When the Treaty of Amritsar was formalised in 1846 between Ranjit Singh and The British East India Company, the British rewarded Gulab Singh, the Dogra ruler for his neutrality in the Anglo-Sikh war by granting him dominion over Jammu and Kashmir through a sale deed. &nbsp;And, thus, came to existence the state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir that had 5 regions - Jammu, the Valley, Ladakh, Gilgit, and Baltistan. &nbsp;
In 1947, India got its independence, was divided into 2 nations and Kashmir was still under the Dogra ruler Hari Singh with a choice to join either side. However, as per several accounts of historians, Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, wanted J&amp;K to be the "Switzerland of the East&rdquo;- a neutral territory between the Hindu-majority but secular India and the Muslim state of Pakistan.
The winds of freedom struggle in the Indian sub-continent had breached the mighty Pir Panjal and crossed over to Kashmir valley where a young Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah&mdash; after returning as a science post-graduate from the Aligarh Muslim University&mdash; had waged people&rsquo;s resistance against the autocratic Maharaja. &nbsp;
He blamed the Hindu Dogra ruler for not providing the Muslim population enough opportunities. Shiekh and his organisation All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference wanted the people of Kashmir to decide their own fate. After the 1931 revolt against Maharaja which saw dozens of Kashmir people being killed, Shiekh rechristened his political group to a more encompassing National Conference.
In August 1947, Hari Singh offered to sign an agreement with both the neighbouring nations which would allow free movement of people across borders. While Pakistan became a signatory, India refused. Two months later, tribesmen who were supported by the Pakistan army attacked Kashmir and the Dogra king hurriedly sought India&rsquo;s help &ndash; which obliged in lieu of the signing of &ldquo;Instrument of Accession&rdquo;.
Meanwhile, Sheikh who was a good friend of Jawaharlal Nehru &ndash; a Kashmiri Pandit, also urged India&rsquo;s first Prime Minister to help Kashmiris fight the invaders. &nbsp; While Hari Singh signed the accession document in exchange for India&rsquo;s help, he sought special privileges for his people along the lines of a 1927 law that denied outsiders the right to own property in the state. The document stated that India would only take care of defence, external affairs and communication and all other control would be retained by the ruler of Jammu &amp; Kashmir &ndash; unlike the other 565 princely states that decided to merge with India entirely, the case of Kashmir became a peculiar one. &nbsp; India which accepted the conditions, worked out the terms in the period between 1947-49. With the adoption of India&rsquo;s constitution, Article 370 also came into existence on 26th November 1949. &nbsp; Amit Shah has repeatedly blamed Nehru for letting go &ldquo;one-third of Kashmir&rdquo;, but was there anything else that the former Indian Prime Minister could have done? Yes, he could have chosen to fight Pakistan but would that benefit the just-freed country of India?
While India&rsquo;s first Prime Minister was seen as a tall leader who advocated secularism, Nehru&rsquo;s interests in Kashmir were also based on the fact that he was a Kashmiri Pandit and he sympathised with the minor-Hindu population present in a state that was Muslim-dominated. Nehru indirectly saved the interests of the Kashmiri Hindus by abiding by the Line of Control that was agreed to on 1st of January 1949 as a unification of J&amp;K would have further made Hindus a minority in the state

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir today.

SC to deliver verdict on Article 370 abrogation today

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir today.

Was the decision taken by the Centre on August 5, 2019 to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which bestowed a special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, constitutionally valid? The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370.
According to the cause list for December 11 (Monday), uploaded on the apex court's website, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud would deliver the verdict.
The other members of the bench are Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Surya Kant.
The apex court reserved its verdict in the matter on September 5 after a 16-day hearing.
During the hearing, the top court heard Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocates Harish Salve, Rakesh Dwivedi, V Giri and others on behalf of the Centre and the intervenors defending the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370.
Senior advocates, including Kapil Sibal, Gopal Subramanium, Rajeev Dhavan, Zaffar Shah and Dushyant Dave, had argued on behalf of the petitioners.
The lawyers had dwelt on various issues, including the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370, the validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, which split the erstwhile state into two Union territories, challenges to the imposition of the governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir on June 20, 2018 and the imposition of the president's rule on December 19, 2018 and its extension on July 3, 2019.
The petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and the validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 that divided the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were referred to the Constitution bench in 2019.
The arguments in the matter had commenced on August 2.
During the hearing, the apex court had asked who can recommend the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir when no constituent Assembly, the concurrence of which is required before taking such a step, exists there.
The top court had also asked how can a provision (Article 370), which was specifically mentioned as temporary in the Constitution, become permanent after the tenure of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly came to an end in 1957.
Some of the petitioners opposing the repeal of Article 370 had argued that the provision could not have been abrogated as the term of the Jammu and Kashmir constituent Assembly ended in 1957 after it drafted the erstwhile state's Constitution.
With the constituent Assembly having become extinct, Article 370 acquired a permanent status, they had said.
The Centre had argued that there was no "constitutional fraud" in annulling the provision that accorded the special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

The INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties, will meet on December 19 to discuss their core agenda, seat sharing and joint campaign strategy.

INDIA bloc to meet on December 19, first after Congress' state elections defeat

The INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties, will meet on December 19 to discuss their core agenda, seat sharing and joint campaign strategy.

Evolving a "core positive agenda", seat sharing and a programme to hold joint rallies are among the main challenges before the opposition INDIA bloc that will be taken up at its next meeting in the national capital on December 19.
"The 4th meeting of the leaders of INDIA parties will be held on Tuesday December 19th, 2023 in New Delhi at 3 pm," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X on Sunday.
The parties intend to move forward with the unity theme - "Main Nahin, Hum" (We, Not Me) - as a counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the meeting, a senior leader of the Congress said.
The meeting is being held in the backdrop of the Congress' poor show in the just concluded assembly elections, where it suffered humiliating defeats in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, while the BJP asserted that people have affirmed their faith in "Modi's guarantees" and will re-elect his government in 2024.
The challenge before the opposition parties now is to come out with an alternative positive agenda to counter the BJP in the next general elections, the leader said.
Sources said during the meeting, the parties would chalk out plans on seat sharing, for holding joint election rallies and would evolve a common programme for them.
"The election results are not a rejection of issues that were raised in this poll campaign," the leader said on poll planks like caste census and restoration of Old Pension Scheme that have been raised by the opposition parties.
He, however, admitted that the party would think out of the box to take on the BJP in 2024.
"Main Nahin, Hum" (We, Not Me) is the likely slogan that the opposition parties would work on to counter Modi. Sources add that the opposition alliance of the INDIA bloc is likely to take forward the issues of caste census, legal guarantee to MSP and social security for workers.
"Evolving the core positive agenda for the INDIA bloc is the biggest challenge for the opposition parties that would help it take on the BJP," the leader said.
He added that the issues that dominated during the Bharat Jodo Yatra like "rising" economic inequality, social polarisation and political authoritarianism besides price rise and inflation are some issues that are likely to find resonance on the ground during the Lok Sabha polls.
These issues would become part of the common agenda of the opposition parties that will help the opposition alliance take on the BJP.
The INDIA bloc would highlight 10 years under Manmohan Singh and whether the 10 years under PM Modi have brought any difference to the life of the common man, the leader said.
He said the Adani issue will also be raised during the Lok Sabha poll campaign.
Leaders of 26 parties would gather for the strategy meeting in the national capital to address key issues before the alliance as it prepares to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections, the sources said.
West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee would be in the national capital from December 17 to 19 and is likely to take part in the meet. Work is on to ensure the presence of other senior leaders, the sources said.&nbsp;

The saffron party’s manifesto for decades had listed Syama Prasad Mookherjee's dream and on August 5, 1947, they achieved it for the founder of BJP's parent party Jan Sangh

Supreme Court Article 370 verdict: how Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was watered down

Supreme Court Article 370 verdict: how the watering down of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status unfolded

The saffron party&rsquo;s manifesto for decades had listed Syama Prasad Mookherjee's dream and on August 5, 1947, they achieved it for the founder of BJP's parent party Jan Sangh

On August 3, 2019, a security advisory announced the cancellation of the annual Amarnath Yatra that draws tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims to the cave shrine in south Kashmir. The ostensible reason that Satya Pal Malik, the New Delhi-appointed governor of Jammu and Kashmir, put out was a terror threat.
In the following 24 hours, the administration invoked Section 144 of the IPC, which bars the assembly of four or more people in public spaces. Internet and telecom signals on phones vanished the same day ensuring a communication blackout in the landlocked Himalayan region.
Simultaneously, Delhi-based media reported the deployment of an additional 10,000 security force personnel in the world&rsquo;s highest militarised zone. On the same day, most local mainstream leaders, including former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah were restricted to their homes in Srinagar; happenings had cast their shadows, all eyes were now on a Parliament session scheduled for August 5 in Delhi.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha as Opposition leaders raised a hue and cry about the whereabouts of National Conference President and their lower house colleague Farooq Abdullah, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the removal of the "obstacle of Article 370" that the BJP leader said was &lsquo;stalling the development&rsquo; of the only Muslim majority state in the country.&nbsp;
Announcing the scrapping of J&amp;K's special status, Shah later told members of Rajya Sabha, "Article 370 had ruined Jammu and Kashmir. It had to be removed to integrate the region with the rest of India and develop it."&nbsp;
After returning to power with a thumping majority, the Narendra Modi government fulfilled the dream of BJP&rsquo;s founding father Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The saffron party&rsquo;s manifesto for decades had listed his dream prominently in the election manifestos. The BJP&rsquo;s 2019 manifesto was no different; it had noted that the party will invoke steps, "to overcome all obstacles that come in the way of development of Jammu and Kashmir&rdquo;. &nbsp;
What happened on August 5th in 2019?&nbsp;
After days of uncertainty in the state, where the administration had imposed a security lockdown and had cut all telecommunications, there were speculations that Article 35A of the Indian constitution, which did not allow Indians from outside J&amp;K to buy or sell property in the state, would be scrapped.&nbsp;
However, Amit Shah sprang a surprise in the Parliament as he announced the watering down of Article 370 of which 35A was a part. These articles have been the basis of the complex relationship between India and Kashmir since July 1949 -- when it was adopted in the constitution.&nbsp;
The government also moved to break up the state into two smaller Centre-administered territories. The Modi government separated the Buddhist majority Ladakh (without legislature) from Jammu &amp; Kashmir (with legislature) to create two Union Territories.&nbsp;
What is Article 370?&nbsp;
Article 370, as per the constitution, is a &ldquo;temporary provision&rdquo; that keeps J&amp;K out of the purview of the Indian Constitution, barring defence, finance and foreign affairs. It allowed J&amp;K to draft its own constitution, have its own flag and penal code and restricted the Indian Parliament from interfering in matters related to the state.&nbsp;
How was special status watered down?&nbsp;
The President of India Ram Nath Kovind used the Constitutional Order 272 to water down the Article 370 using the provision itself. The sub clause 3 of Article 370 that read, "Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this article, the President may, by public notification, declare that this article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may specify: provided that the recommendation of the constituent assembly of the state shall be necessary before the president issues such a notification" was used.&nbsp;
While the section states that the recommendation of the constituent assembly of the state is mandatory, there was no active constituent assembly at that time in the state.&nbsp;
Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s constituent assembly dissolved itself on 25 January 1957 -- without recommending either abrogation or amendment, leaving the status of the provision on a cliffhanger, and the state assembly took over its functions.&nbsp;
Since Mehbooba Mufti's government lost majority in November 2018, governor's rule was imposed. And, in the absence of the elected state government, the parliament was directly responsible for the decisions on the state and the Modi government effectively used it to revoke the special status.&nbsp;
Why was it done?&nbsp;
While it was a promise that BJP rushed to deliver as soon as it came back to power in 2019, the removal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir has remained central to it. Just like its parent party Jan Sangh and Hindutva fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, BJP has remained focussed on &ldquo;complete integration&rdquo;. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Jan Sangh had famously once said, &ldquo;One cannot have two constitutions, two Prime Ministers and two flags&rdquo; and BJP fulfilled their founder&rsquo;s dream on August 5th, 2019.&nbsp;
What do critics say&nbsp;
Critics say the resolution, which is a decision of permanent character for the state, was passed by the parliament when the state was under President&rsquo;s rule &ndash; which is temporary and a stand in until an elected government is restored &ndash; is problematic. They point out that the use of a subsection under the Article along with Constitutional order (272- changes the reference of Constituent Assembly to Legislative Assembly, 273-sealed the abrogation of the Article 370) that too in the absence of an elected state assembly through governor &ndash; who represents the Centre and not the state &ndash; makes it legally and constitutionally dubious. On December 11, the Supreme Court will deliver verdict on a batch of petitions that have listed the above grounds to contest Modi government&rsquo;s parliamentary action. &nbsp;

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