Kolkata assault arrests, Rath Yatra begins in Puri, India-Pakistan clash at SCO & more
Three men arrested for the gang rape of a student inside a Kolkata college; Rath Yatra celebrations begin in Puri with the Pahandi ritual; Rajnath Singh and S. Jaishankar condemn cross-border terror at the SCO meet; India denies UN help in Air India crash probe; and Netanyahu calls Iran ceasefire a 'window of peace.' Stay with The Hindu for more.
Editing, narration and script: Aniket Singh Chauhan
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Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Row over sound system disrupts Rath Yatra
1 2 Kanpur: Following a dispute between police and organisers regarding the use of sound system, the historic and religious Rath Yatra could not commence on Friday. The Panki Mahant announced that he would self-immolate if the sub-inspector of Naya Ganj police outpost was not suspended. On his appeal, the traders of Nayaganj and nearby markets closed their shops. Followers and political party volunteers sat on dharna at Nayaganj crossing in support of Mahant. According to Mahant Jitendra Das and Krishna Das of Jagannath temple, before the Rath Yatra could begin, police officials arrived and instructed that only two speakers should be used in the band. Organisers opposed this and during the conversation, police misbehaved with them. Kanpur Police commissionerate on Thursday had implemented the provisions of section 163 BNS . The provision states that the directions of Allahabad and Lucknow high court regarding the use of loud speaker should be followed in letter and spirit. Using more than 2 loud speakers with in the limits of police commissioneate will have to obtain prior permission . Meanwhile, supporters and volunteers gathered and raised anti-police slogans. When senior police officials tried to pacify them, the demand for the inspector's suspension was reiterated. In the meantime, SP MLA Amitabh Bajpai also arrived with his supporters and joined the agitators. The agitating crowd recited 'Hanuman Chalisa' and Panki Mahant appealed to traders to close the market. General secretary of the temple committee, Vivek Gupta alleged that Badshahi Naqa inspector had thrashed the sound system operator with a lathi and abused both him and Panki Mahant. Senior police officials also arrived at the spot and tried to convince Panki Mahant and others, but Mahant and his followers were adamant and clearly stated that if Badshahi Naqa sub-inspector was not suspended, Mahant would self-immolate at Naya Ganj crossing. Later, the station in-charge of Badshahi Naka was suspended. Deputy Commissioner of Police East, Satyajit Gupta, announced the resumption of the Shobha Yatra. "We immediately suspended the in-charge of Badshahi Naka police station. He was accused of misbehaving and using abusive language with the organisers of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra."
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Missed opportunity: on India, the terror fight and the SCO
The Qingdao meeting of Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), that ended without a joint communiqué, indicates trouble within the 10-nation grouping. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was forced to withdraw from the joint declaration as it contained no reference to terrorism at the behest of 'one nation' — a reference to Pakistan. This is understandable, given that the meeting comes just weeks after the Pahalgam attack, and Operation Sindoor, after which India's resolve to fight terrorism has redoubled. What sounds more surprising is that not only did the draft resolution fail to mention terrorism but member-states including host China and Russia had even reportedly considered referring to 'disturbances in Balochistan', at the instance of Pakistan, while leaving out mentions of the Pahalgam attack and cross-border terrorism, that India asked for. This is stark given that the SCO's founding Charter in 2002 focused on the need to build 'mutual intraregional efforts to curb terrorism, separatism and extremism', and the Director of SCO's signature Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure was present. Statements by the SCO Secretariat and the Chinese Foreign Ministry stuck to anodyne statements such as '...cooperation ...on modern security challenges and threats'. All eyes will now be on the SCO Foreign Ministers' July meet and the SCO Summit in August-September to see if India's concerns are more appropriately addressed. New Delhi must study whether there are shortcomings in delivering its message on the three-pronged 'new normal' Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced after Operation Sindoor. In particular, China's unhelpful role as Chair on the issue is disquieting, given its recent thaw with India. Unlike the SAARC grouping, where India held sway, the SCO is more focused on the original founders China, Russia and Central Asian States. Mr. Singh's participation followed closely on the heels of India disassociating itself from a statement on Israel's June 13 attack on SCO member Iran as it was critical of Israel. Post-Operation Sindoor, the government sent parliamentary delegations to 32 countries, but not to any SCO member-country. It is possible that the government lost a chance to give the grouping any prominence by doing so, although External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar chaired a meeting of the India-Central Asia forum in June. India's decision to skip hosting an in-person Summit of the SCO during its turn in 2023 could also still rankle. Breaking with the grouping, which is an important regional forum, will simply leave an open platform for Pakistan. Instead of crying foul, the government must convince members that their interests lie in strengthening cross-regional support against terrorism.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Digha Rath Yatra kicks off with political war over chariots between TMC and BJP
The Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday organised separate Rath Yatra celebrations in West Bengal, engaging in a competition of sorts. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the first 'Rath Yatra' from the newly constructed ₹250-crore Jagannath Temple in the coastal town of Digha. Thousands of devotees participated in the event. 'It was a profoundly emotional, soul-stirring, and awe-inspiring experience to be part of the Rath Yatra celebrations at the newly consecrated Jagannath Dham in Digha. The sound of conch shells, the fragrance of incense wafting through the air, and the chants of 'Joy Jagannath' created an atmosphere of divine grace and spiritual unity,' Ms. Banerjee posted on social media. The Chief Minister, during the Rath Yatra, appealed through a public address system to allow devotees touch the ropes of all three chariots from inside the barricades along the 750-metre procession route from the main temple. Not only devotees from the State, but those from different countries staying at 40-odd ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) centres participated and danced for hours in front of the chariots to the devotional chants of 'Hare Ram, Hare Krishna. Controversy In the prelude to the festival, the West Bengal government distributed prasad (offering) across the State, allegedly spending ₹42 crore. The construction of Jagannath Temple in Digha, which mirrors the 12th century Puri's Jagannath temple, has triggered controversy with the BJP government in Odisha urging West Bengal government not to use 'Jagannath Dham' while referring to the Digha temple. The BJP leadership in West Bengal, which opposed the construction of the temple, also participated in the Rath Yatra. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari participated in the Rath Yatra at three places. 'I feel fortunate to have participated in the Rath Yatra festivities of Mahaprabhu Jagannath Dev across three sacred venues today. Joined the All India Kirtan Baul and Devotional Songs Welfare Trust's grand event at Central Avenue, Kolkata, thereafter offered prayers at Sri Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu Mandir in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, and sought blessings at Sri Sri Shankhananda Jagannath Mandir, ISKCON Mecheda in Purba Medinipur,' Mr. Adhikari said. The BJP leader also said that he distributed 'maha prasad' from the sacred pilgrimage of Puri Jagannath Dham to the devotees.
