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December 18, 2024 2:45 PM

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Midday News

THE HEADLINES:

  • Parliament witnesses chaos as opposition parties hold protest.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi hits out at Congress, says one dynasty indulged in dirty tricks to obliterate legacy of Dr Ambedkar.
  • Indian Navy’s state of art hydrographic vessel INS Nirdeshak to be commissioned in Visakhapatnam.
  • National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets China special representatives Wang Yi to discuss bilateral and border issues at LAC.
  • Ace off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from International Cricket.
  • And, Rain plays spoiler in third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy; Match between India and Australia ends in a draw.

 

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The Parliament today witnessed chaos over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr B R Ambedkar which led to the adjournment of both the Houses of Parliament till 2 PM. The Opposition made accusations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah of insulting Dr B R Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. In Lok Sabha, when the House assembled for the day, Opposition parties including Congress, DMK and Left started sloganeering against the remarks of Mr. Shah during his speech in Rajya Sabha yesterday. They trooped into the well of the House.  Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal and other members of Treasury objected to the conduct of the opposition. Mr. Meghwal alleged that  Congress has always insulted Dr. Ambedkar. He also alleged that Congress was forced to give respect to Dr. Ambedkar due to political compulsion.

 

Amid din, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 PM.

 

Similar issue also rocked the Rajya Sabha proceedings. Members from Congress, DMK, RJD, AAP and others started sloganeering protesting over the remarks of the Union Home Minister. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, Dr. Ambedkar is a highly respected figure and he is exemplary to everyone. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, during his speech yesterday Mr. Shah  expressed utmost regard to Dr. Ambedkar. He accused Congress for disrespecting Dr. Ambedkar during his lifetime and  hatching conspiracy to defeat him in the Lok Sabha polls at that time. He also alleged that the  Congress has used his  name for its vote bank politics which is condemnable.

 

Amid pandemonium, the Chairman adjourned the House till 2 PM.

 

Meanwhile, Opposition MPs held a protest outside Parliament demanding an apology from Mr. Shah. Members from Congress, DMK, RJD, AAP, Left and others raised slogans against the government over the issue. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the Home Minister over his comments. He alleged that through his remarks, Mr. Shah has insulted the architect of the Constitution.

 

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Meanwhile, opposition parties today staged a protest in the Parliament House Complex against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr. BR Ambedkar during his speech in Rajya Sabha yesterday. The members from Congress, DMK, Left, RJD, AAP and some other parties joined the protest which was attended by Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK MP T R Balu and Manoj Jha of RJD.

 

Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh has said that it was the Congress which had insulted Dr Ambedkar.

 

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit back at Congress over its allegation against the Union Home Minister on his remarks on Dr B R Ambedkar saying Amit Shah has exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting the architect of the Indian Constitution.  He alleged that Congress is clearly stung and stunned by the facts Mr Shah presented, which is why it is now indulging in theatrics. Referring to the opposition’s allegation over Mr  Shah’s remarks on Dr Ambedkar in Rajya Sabha yesterday, Mr Modi said, if the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken. In a series of social media posts, he added that the people of the country have seen time and again how one Party, led by one dynasty, has indulged in every possible dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and humiliate the SC’s and ST communities

 

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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the Centre has uplifted the lives of the poor including the minority in the past 10 years. Speaking at the 20th Foundation Day of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions in New Delhi today, Mr Pradhan said that the government has walked the talk of its motto – Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas and has been answerable to every citizen irrespective of their background. He highlighted that the government’s schemes such as PM Awas Yojna and PM Ujjwala Yojana have helped uplift the poor, especially from the minority community.

 

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Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy has said the Government has given special emphasis on cultural development and unity along with infrastructure development, economic development and agriculture. Briefing media in New Delhi this morning, the Minister said the languages of the country are an important base for the nation’s unity and cultural history.

 

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The Election Commission is holding a preparatory meeting today on the Delhi Assembly elections which is likely to be held early next year. The Commission is interacting with the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer and officials from the police and administration. The Commission is also scheduled to interact with representatives of various political parties.

 

The term of the 70 member Delhi Legislative Assembly is ending on 23rd February next year.

 

Much ahead of the announcement of polls, ruling AAP has already announced it candidates for all assembly seats while Congress has declared 21 nominees for the polls. BJP is yet to declare its candidates. 

 

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Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth will participate in the commissioning of Indian Navy’s state of art hydrographic vessel INS Nirdeshak at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam today.

 

Nirdeshak, the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) Project, is designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, aid in navigation, and support maritime operations. With an endurance of over 25 days at sea and a top speed exceeding 18 knots, INS Nirdeshak is set to enhance India’s Maritime capabilities. This vessel will play a pivotal role in mapping the nation’s waters and strengthening India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region through its foreign cooperation surveys.

 

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National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing today, to discuss key bilateral issues. These included the management of peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the restoration of bilateral ties, which have been frozen for over four years due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

 

Mr. Doval, leading the Indian delegation, arrived in Beijing yesterday to participate in the 23rd round of the Special Representatives’ talks, which resumed after a five-year hiatus. The last meeting took place in Delhi in 2019. The discussions were expected to focus on rebuilding bilateral relations, particularly in light of the October 21st agreement on disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two nations.

 

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In Punjab, protesting farmers have stopped trains at about 50 places across the state to lodge their protest and press for their demands for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops among other things.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had announced that the farm activists of various kissan associations would block rail traffic for three-hours from 12 noon to 3 P.M. He said that the sit-in protests will be peaceful and only be on railway crossings and stations.

Meanwhile, a senior railway officer responsible for security bandobast has confirmed Akashvani Jalandhar Correspondent that Govt Railway Police along with state police personnel has been deployed at all the required places in Ferozepur and Ambala Railway Divisions to deal with any situation.

 

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) today said it has filed a charge sheet against two key associates of the designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) organisation. The charge sheet was submitted yesterday before the NIA Special Court in Mohali, Punjab. The NIA said that the accused, Jaspreet Singh alias Jass and Baljeet Singh alias Rana Bhai are alleged to be active members of a terror gang orchestrated by the foreign-based Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh, also known as Landa.

 

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The India Meteorological Department – IMD has forecast Cold-Wave conditions to persist over the entire North India during the next 5 to 7 days. A fresh Western disturbance and low-level induced cyclonic circulation have been attributed for the prevalence of these weather conditions. Talking to Akashvani News, IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy said that minimum temperatures will likely increase slightly over parts of North-West and Central India.

 

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India’s star all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has announced retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. The 38-year-old veteran made the announcement shortly after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended in a draw.

 

Ashwin is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in both international and Test cricket. He made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in Delhi on November 6, 2011. Over his illustrious career, he took 537 wickets in 106 Tests. Only Anil Kumble, with 619 wickets, has dismissed more batters for India. He also scored six centuries and 14 fifties in the longest format. In addition to his Test achievements, Ashwin has played 116 ODIs and 65 T20 Internationals for India, claiming 156 and 72 wickets, respectively.

 

Ashwin will continue to play in T20 tournaments and is set to represent the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025.

 

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In Cricket, the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba, in Brisbane ended in a dramatic draw as rain played a spoilsport. India, batting in their second innings, were 8 for no loss when play was halted due to rains. The visitors needed 267 runs to win at the time, but the weather denied either side a decisive result. Earlier on day five, India were all out for 260 in their first innings in response to Australia’s 445.

 

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In Chess, India’s Pranav Venkatesh made history by clinching both the FIDE World Under-18 Youth Rapid and Blitz titles in Slovenia on Tuesday. The top-seeded Indian Grandmaster from Chennai triumphed in the Rapid category, scoring an impressive 9.5 points to secure the gold medal. Russia’s Alexander Khripachenko claimed silver with 9 points, while Ukraine’s Roman Pyrih earned the bronze with 7.5 points.

 

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

  • Parliament witnesses chaos as opposition parties hold protest.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi hits out at Congress, says one dynasty indulged in dirty tricks to obliterate legacy of Dr Ambedkar.
  • Indian Navy’s state of art hydrographic vessel INS Nirdeshak to be commissioned in Visakhapatnam.
  • National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meets China special representatives Wang Yi to discuss bilateral and border issues at LAC.
  • Ace off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from International Cricket.
  • And, Rain plays spoiler in third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy; Match between India and Australia ends in draw.

 

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