God will punish those who insulted 'bhagwa': Pragya Thakur after acquittal
"Today, saffron has won, Hindutva has won," Thakur also said, adding, "The allegation of saffron terrorism has been proven false."Earlier on Thursday, nearly 17 years after the Malegaon blast claimed six lives, a special court acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, noting there was "no reliable and cogent evidence" against them.No religion teaches violence, the court said. Terrorism has no religion, but the court cannot convict on mere perception, it added.Special Judge A K Lahoti, assigned to hear cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) here, flagged several loopholes in the prosecution's case and the investigation carried out, and said the accused persons deserved the benefit of doubt.- EndsMust Watch
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Indian Express
2 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Shinde meets Modi, targets Uddhav on INDIA bloc talks as both Sena chiefs signal national alignments
In what is being seen as symbolism and political posturing, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and reaffirmed his party's ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). At a time when Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray was also in New Delhi, Shinde attacked the former for aligning with the INDIA bloc and exploring a tie-up with the MNS ahead of civic body polls. While Shinde and his family met PM Modi at the latter's official residence, Uddhav and his son Aaditya Thackeray were in the national capital scheduled to attend an INDIA bloc meeting on Thursday. The presence of both Sena chiefs in Delhi — with each meeting their respective alliance partners — served as a clear reflection of their sharpening political identities and positioning at the national level. Sources also confirmed that Shinde had a closed-door 30-minute meeting with PM Modi without aides, during which state-related issues and electoral strategy were discussed. 'We took the path of Lok Kalyan Marg shown by Balasaheb, they went to 10 Janpath,' Shinde said after meeting the PM. 'That clearly shows who is following Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. People of the country are are doing things Balasaheb never approved of,' he said, launching a scathing attack on Uddhav. Shinde also emphasized that the Shiv Sena was the fourth largest ally of the NDA. He accused Uddhav of 'sailing in two boats' by holding talks with INDIA bloc leaders while simultaneously keeping the door open for an alliance with Raj Thackeray's MNS. 'Only someone who has lost confidence in himself does that. In a democracy, everyone has the right to form alliances and coalitions. However, some people, having lost the trust of the public and are trying to balance on two stones,' he said in a veiled reference to Uddhav. 'People vote for those who work; those who sit at home are kept at home by the public,' he said. 'When Veer Savarkar was being insulted, they remained silent because they abandoned Hindutva,' Shinde said. Taking another swipe, he added, 'Shiv Sena is a party for public welfare, while their group is a private limited company.' During the meeting with PM, Shinde, accompanied by his wife Lata Shinde, son and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, and daughter-in-law Vrushali Shinde, presented PM Modi with a specially commissioned painting of Lord Mahadev, crafted by acclaimed artist Kishor Nandivdekar. The gift, Shinde said, symbolised the successful 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Operation Mahadev', India's retaliatory strikes against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Just as Lord Mahadev vanquished evil, our armed forces under the Prime Minister's leadership eliminated the terrorists,' he said. The painting, he added, was a tribute to that national effort and resolve. Earlier in the day, Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and praised him for becoming the longest-serving Home Minister in the country's history. 'He fulfilled Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by abrogating Article 370, crushed terrorism through Operation Mahadev, and strengthened the cooperative sector. His leadership is decisive and efficient,' Shinde said. Reiterating his Sena's political stand, Shinde announced that the Shiv Sena will support the NDA's candidate in the upcoming vice-presidential election and contest local body polls in Maharashtra as part of the Mahayuti alliance. 'Just like we fought the Assembly elections together, we'll go into civic polls united,' he said. Shinde used the occasion to question Uddhav Thackeray's Hindutva credentials, accusing him of abandoning the ideology and remaining silent on insults to Veer Savarkar. 'They gave up Hindutva. They stayed silent when Savarkar was insulted. That's why people won't stand by them,' he said. Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shinde added, 'Questioning the Army's bravery, defaming India and the PM abroad, speaking the language of Pakistan — is not patriotism but love for Pakistan.' Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray's camp maintained its engagement with the INDIA alliance and met NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi. A day earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi met PM Modi, though both sides termed it a courtesy call. Uddhav is expected to join Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders for a strategy dinner ahead of the bloc's formal meeting. In a separate development, Shinde addressed public concerns over the relocation of a 36-year-old elephant named Madhuri from a Jain Math in Maharashtra to Gujarat's Vantara centre. He said the state government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court. 'The government respects public sentiment. Both Maharashtra and Vantara will be parties to the case,' he said.
India Today
9 minutes ago
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Revanth Reddy takes backward classes quota battle to Delhi, Vijay Deverakonda questioned by ED
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Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP leaders in Ludhiana await announcement of new district president, MC office protest site becomes platform for contenders.
Ludhiana: The Bharatiya Janata Party's leadership in Punjab has named new district presidents across most constituencies — but the crucial Ludhiana post remains in limbo amid internal competition and ongoing political protests. Party insiders say the delay stems from a fierce rivalry among senior members for the district president's role. Current president Rajnish Dhiman, councillor Sunil Moudgil, and former district chief Pushpinder Singhal are all seen participating actively in the BJP's protest at the municipal corporation's Zone-D office, in what observers view as an informal show of strength. Dhiman, who was appointed in Dec 2022, oversaw the party through several key polls, including parliamentary, municipal corporation, and the recent Ludhiana West byelection. His tenure, sources say, has been free of major controversy and marked by accessibility to party workers. However, newly elected councillor Moudgil has emerged as a strong contender, bolstering his presence by joining the protest alongside fellow councillors. A senior BJP member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the decision on Ludhiana's district leadership will be taken by the party's central command. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Secret Lives of the Romanovs — the Last Rulers of Imperial Russia! Learn More Undo With state assembly elections two years away, the party is cautious about sparking internal unrest. "The BJP aims to contest all 117 seats independently, and the process for that has already begun. These new district appointments are part of strengthening the grassroots structure," the senior member said. Meanwhile, the party has appointed Gagandeep Sunny Kainth as the rural district president for Ludhiana. Kainth, who was rumoured previously to have flirted with the Congress camp during the Ludhiana West byelection, is now being entrusted with consolidating the BJP's rural base. He has been engaging with farmers across villages, especially over opposition to the state govt's land pooling policy, and is expected to be the party's key face in agrarian constituencies. MSID:: 123142654 413 |
