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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
UP police bear ₹1.5 lakh wedding expenses after bride's brother gets murdered
Police personnel in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh bore the entire cost of a wedding after the bride's brother was killed during a robbery just two days before the event, reported PTI. The bride Uday Kumari's brother Shivdin was killed on April 24 by goons during a robbery, during which the money put aside for her wedding was also stolen. Also Read: UP Congress workers, close to state chief Ajay Rai, arrested for 'harassing' woman over shop; party cries fowl With the wedding scheduled soon after the incident occurred, the groom's family cancelled the rituals out of fear. Superintendent of police Vineet Jaiswal and his wife Tanvi Jaiswal footed the cost of the entire wedding with the help of local police officials and also helped in setting a new date for the event by talking to the groom's family. "We wanted to send out a clear message: we are not just here to fight criminals, but also to stand strongly with victims in their times of need. When a family is in crisis, it is our duty to protect, reassure, and help bring their lives back on track," the SP told PTI. Kumari's father admitted that he had lost all hope of seeing his daughter married, but thanks to the police's help, the family was able to hold the wedding. "The police didn't feel like officers on duty, they were like our own family," he said. The police personnel, led by SP Vineet Jaiswal, gave the bride ₹1 lakh 51 thousand in cash, jewellery and household items. They were also seen welcoming the groom's family at the wedding venue. Also Read: Most states, including Uttar Pradesh, want share in Central taxes hiked to 50%: Finance commission chairman On May 8, the leader of the dacoits who robbed the bride's brother, Gyanchand, was killed after sustaining injuries during an encounter with a Special Task Force team led by Inspector Arun Singh. The robber had ₹1 lakh on him when he was caught, along with an illegal 32-bore pistol, a rifle, 315-bore, a 12-bore gun and large quantities of cartridges. A 22-year-old bride-to-be in Uttar Pradesh's Budaun died of a cardiac arrest on May 5 during her Haldi ceremony in Noorpur Pinauni village, just a day before her scheduled wedding. The young woman, Diksha, was dancing with her sisters and relatives during her Haldi ceremony when she suddenly began to feel unwell. Then she excused herself and went to the bathroom, where she allegedly collapsed and died of cardiac arrest, her family told PTI When her family members broke the door open, they found her lying unconscious. She was declared dead on the spot.


Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why PM pic in Op Sindoor poster, asks UPCC chief Ajay Rai
Varanasi: UP Congress chief Ajay Rai on Monday attacked the PM Narendra Modi and BJP over a poster released on the success of Operation Sindoor for political gains. Rai questioned why Modi had been portayed in the poster instead of Indian soldiers. "Such posters have come up everywhere, from petrol pumps to public places, showing Modi in military attire, wearing sunglasses and holding a helmet. However, there are no pictures of actual soldiers. Operation Sindoor is even being marketed on train tickets," said Rai. He also attacked the PM for using 'sindoor' (vermilion), a sacred identity for married women, for political gains. The army showed valour and struck back, but Modi, who accepted a ceasefire under the pressure of US president Donald Trump, is marketing himself, said the UP Congress chief, adding that instead of showing sympathy to martyrs and innocent citizens killed in Pahalgam and paying tributes to them, the BJP is celebrating the occasion by carrying out Tiranga Yatras on govt expenses. On Congress MP Rahul Gandhi raising questions for Modi govt, Rai said, "Raising questions is logical. External affairs minister S Jaishankar should reply how many terrorists were killed in the Indian strikes and whether the terrorists behind the Pahalgam killings were eliminated." Earlier this month, Rai had stirred a row by mocking the Centre with a toy Rafale jet adorned with nimbu-mirchi (lemon and chillies), accusing the Modi govt of inaction in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack .


Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Poster hailing Indira Gandhi for role in 1971 war comes up outside party office
Lucknow: A poster remembering the contribution of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appeared outside the UP Congress headquarters in the Mall Avenue area on up by National Students Union of India national secretary Pranav Pandey, the poster was themed as 'Bharat Ko Aai Indira Ki Yaad'. It saluted the grit of former PM Indira and recalled how firmly she stood against Pakistan during the 1971 war. It also referred to her stand for undertaking the first nuclear test in Pokhran in poet Makhanlal Chaturvedi's famous poem, 'Pushp Ki Abhilasha Hai… Matrabhoomi Ke Liye Main Girun', Pandey underscored Indira Gandhi's supreme sacrifice for the nation. He also quoted poet Iqbal's famous line 'Kuch Baat Hai Ki Hasti Mitti Nahi Hamari…' to salute the valour of the Indian Army while asserting that his party stands with countrymen and the Indian Army for the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of Mother talking to TOI, Pandey said: "It is important to learn from the past to ensure we deal with our present in an effective way and to make sure that the future has a firm foundation. The poster is just a reminder of that, he said.


New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
UP Congress chief Ajay Rai booked for Rafale remarks after Pahalgam attack; remarks aired by Pakistani media spark outrage
LUCKNOW: UP Congress chief Ajay Rai courted controversy after mocking Rafale jets and questioning the government's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, prompting an FIR in Varanasi as his remarks were picked up by Pakistani media and widely criticised. The FIR was registered at Chetganj police station after video footage showing him tying a lemon and chilli to a toy airplane—ridiculing the Rafale—went viral. The controversial remarks were made by Rai on May 4, when he questioned the effectiveness of Rafale jets in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam attack. The case was registered by Pradeep Gupta, president of the Rashtrawadi Hindu Shakti Vahini. The FIR against Rai includes charges under Section 107(1) for disturbing public peace, and Section 353(2) for spreading false information and broadcasting shocking news. If convicted, Rai could face up to two years in jail or a fine. Rai had asked, 'Has this Rafale come to hang lemons', mocking a previous superstition-linked ritual involving the fighter jet. While expressing concern over the delay in deploying the Rafale, he also urged the government to act swiftly against terrorism. Rai had further emphasised that families of victims who died in the Pahalgam attack were demanding justice and military action.


India.com
04-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Amid Pahalgam Tension, Congress Ajay Rai Mocks Centre With Rafale Toy Plane, BJP Hits Back
Amid the simmering tension between India and Pakistan at the LoC following the Pahalgam terror attack, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai on Sunday stoked a fresh controversy after he criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the heinous act. Last month, at least 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives in a dastardly terror attack which took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to take decisive action against terrorism and Pakistan and gave security forces 'full operational freedom' to avenge the heinous attack in the Valley. Taking a swipe at the NDA-led central government, Ajay Rai, who was PM Modi's rival from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in last year's Lok Sabha polls, said that the government purchased Rafale fighter jets, but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemons and chillies) hanging on them. The UP Congress chief said that the government is displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon chillies hanging on it. "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists – they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilli and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?" he said. #WATCH | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai shows a 'toy plane' with Rafale written on it and lemon-chillies hanging in it. Ajay Rai says, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the… — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye. BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader, which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces". "The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said. Reacting to Rai's statement, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that he is making these statements at the behest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the grand old party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, the Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of Rahul Gandhi's closest leaders. In the all-party meeting, Rahul Gandhi says that they stand with the country and the armed forces. As soon as he came out of the all-party meeting, prioritising 'vote bank neeti' over 'rashtra neeti', they gave a clean chit to Pakistan, advocated for it and dealt a blow to the morale of armed forces... Why is a continuous attack being made on the morale of armed forces? ... The Congress party is not taking action because Pakistan ko kehna bhaijaan, sena ka karna apman, ye Congress ki bann chuki hai pehchan, Pakistan aur Congress do shareer aur bole ek hi zubaan..." #WATCH | On UP Congress chief Ajay Rai's statement, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla says, "With a 'toy plane' of Rafale, Congress party is toying with the morale of India's armed forces. This is being done at the behest of Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai is considered one of… — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025 BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also took to his X platform to post, "Rahul Gandhi's close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congress and the spokesperson for Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!" Terrorists shot and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The central government convened an all-party meeting after the terror attack, and opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the terror attack. In the briefing to the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held a day after the terror attack, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.