Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has defended his government's directive prohibiting Muslims from offering namaz on public roads, emphasizing that roads are meant for vehicular and pedestrian movement. In an exclusive interview with PTI, Adityanath urged Muslims to adopt religious discipline, citing the Maha Kumbh Mela as an example where millions of Hindus participated without any incidents of crime, destruction, or harassment.

Addressing criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, he accused Waqf boards of being centers of self-interest and property misappropriation, arguing that they have done little for the welfare of Muslims. He contrasted this with Hindu temples and religious institutions, which he claimed contribute significantly to education and healthcare. Despite possessing vast properties, he questioned whether Waqf boards had meaningfully contributed to the welfare of even the Muslim community. Adityanath asserted that Waqf properties are often used to encroach on government land, making legal reforms necessary despite opposition. He expressed confidence that the proposed law would ultimately benefit Muslims.

Known for his strong Hindutva stance and tough governance approach, Adityanath dismissed allegations of discrimination against Muslims. He pointed out that while Muslims constitute 20% of Uttar Pradesh's population, they account for 35-40% of beneficiaries under various government welfare schemes. He maintained that his administration follows a policy of neither appeasement nor discrimination, ensuring benefits reach all eligible citizens.

Regarding his widely known "bulldozer model" of governance, he clarified that its purpose extends beyond punitive measures, as it is also used for infrastructure development and removing illegal encroachments. He stated that the Supreme Court has not issued any negative remarks about Uttar Pradesh's bulldozer policy and, in fact, acknowledged the state’s guidelines on the matter.

Defending the Meerut administration’s warning against namaz on roads, Adityanath reiterated that public spaces should not be used for religious gatherings. He urged critics to observe how 66 crore people attended the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh without any law-and-order disruptions, calling it an example of religious discipline that others should follow.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the cancellation of offshore mining tenders along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Raising concerns over potential harm to marine ecosystems, Gandhi criticized the decision to allocate offshore mining blocks to private entities without thorough environmental assessments.

In his letter, the Congress leader condemned the government’s move, highlighting protests from coastal communities who fear that such projects threaten their livelihoods. He emphasized that millions of fisherfolk depend on the ocean for their way of life and have expressed strong opposition to the tenders issued without proper environmental evaluation.

Posting on his WhatsApp channel, Gandhi reiterated his stance, stating that offshore mining could cause irreversible damage to marine biodiversity and disrupt fishing communities. He called for the immediate revocation of the decision. He also pointed out that the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, was met with strong opposition. Scientific studies, he noted, indicate that offshore mining could severely impact marine life, deplete fish populations, and damage coral reefs.

The Ministry of Mines' invitation for tenders covering 13 offshore blocks has sparked widespread protests. Among these are three blocks off Kollam’s coast—an essential fish breeding zone—and three others near Great Nicobar, a region known for its rich biodiversity. Gandhi accused the government of failing to consult stakeholders before floating these tenders. He cited findings from the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) at the University of Kerala, which warn that offshore mining could significantly disrupt fish breeding, particularly in Kollam.

Noting that over 11 lakh people in Kerala depend on fishing as their traditional occupation, he stressed the importance of safeguarding their livelihoods. He also highlighted Great Nicobar’s status as a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, warning that mining could cause irreparable harm to its delicate ecosystems. At a time when coastal erosion and climate change have intensified natural calamities like cyclones, Gandhi criticized the government for proceeding with such projects without scientific scrutiny.

He urged the government to cancel the tenders immediately and conduct rigorous environmental and socio-economic impact studies. Most importantly, he insisted that all decisions regarding offshore mining should involve consultations with local fishing communities, whose lives are deeply connected to the health of the ocean. "Our fisherfolk’s future is tied to the fate of our oceans. Let’s work together toward a sustainable future," Gandhi wrote in his letter dated March 25, which he shared publicly on Sunday.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday criticized the Maharashtra government for summoning comedian Kunal Kamra over alleged insults toward a "traitor" while taking no action against actor Rahul Solapurkar for remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the Budget session, Thackeray also took aim at the BJP’s 'Saugat-e-Modi' outreach program for Muslim families.

"You summon Kunal Kamra twice for insulting a traitor but don’t summon Rahul Solapurkar even once," Thackeray remarked. Kamra was called in by Mumbai Police after his parody song targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to an attack on a studio by Shinde’s supporters. The Shiv Sena (UBT) frequently refers to Shinde as a "traitor" for leading a rebellion in 2022 that split the party.

Solapurkar recently sparked controversy after stating in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj escaped from Agra Fort by bribing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s officials, rather than hiding in a basket of sweets as traditionally believed. Some right-wing groups objected to the use of the word "bribe." Regarding the 'Saugat-e-Modi' initiative, Thackeray pointed out the BJP’s shifting stance, saying, "When Shiv Sena gained strong Muslim support, they accused me of abandoning Hindutva and even coined terms like 'Satta-Jihad.' Now, those same people have changed their position."

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI

Chandigarh, Punjab, India – March 26: Ahead of the presentation of Punjab's Budget for 2025-26, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema met Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at his residence on Wednesday. Prior to the meeting, Cheema signed the Budget documents. This marks the fourth budget of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government since coming to power in 2022. The budget is expected to focus on developmental initiatives, with key priorities including education, healthcare, and combating drug addiction. Reports suggest that AAP will take a firm stance against drug abuse, and for the first time, a Drug Census may be included, as hinted by AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal during a recent rally.

To curb drug trafficking, the government may deploy Home Guards to secure border regions and introduce a separate allocation for drug prevention efforts. Additionally, the budget could see an increase in Emergency Response Vehicles and enhancements to the state’s emergency helpline, 112. Commenting on the upcoming budget, Congress MLA from Abohar, Sandeep Jakhar, expressed cautious optimism, stating, "We should remain hopeful. Many development projects in Abohar and Balluana remain pending, and we expect necessary allocations in this budget." Meanwhile, the Punjab government has shifted its anti-drug strategy from general enforcement to targeted actions against major traffickers. Under Chief Minister Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav’s leadership, the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign was launched on March 1, 2025.

An official statement revealed that since the campaign's inception, 3,957 drug smugglers have been arrested, and 2,248 FIRs have been registered. Law enforcement has seized large quantities of contraband, including 137.7 kg of heroin. In a decisive move, CM Mann and DGP Yadav have instructed all Police Commissioners (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to compile a detailed list of key drug suppliers in their districts within a week. The directive, issued through a strongly worded letter, underscores the government’s commitment to systematically dismantling drug supply networks in the state.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

As Donald Trump and his key aides scramble to address the Signal leak controversy, Jonathan Freedland and Susan Glasser of the New Yorker examine the consequences of the security breach and explore why the U.S. president is focusing his attacks on the media rather than those responsible for allowing a journalist access to potentially classified information.
Disclaimer:This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey analyze whether the strong opposition to the government's proposed benefit cuts could force a policy reversal. They also explore which other government departments might experience severe budget reductions.

Disclaimer:This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.