A 23-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a patient in the same ward at a government hospital in northeast Delhi on Monday morning, an official said. The incident was reported to the police earlier in the day, he said. Following this, a police team was immediately dispatched to the hospital. "On reaching the spot, it was found that a female patient admitted at the hospital was sexually assaulted by another patient admitted in the same ward," a senior police officer said in a statement. The accused was arrested on the spot, police said. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of law at New Usmanpur Police Station, and further investigation is underway. 28-year-old woman pilot molested during cab ride in Mumbai; driver, two others booked Meanwhile, a case has been registered against a cab driver and two unidentified men for allegedly sexually harassing a 28-year-old airline pilot during a late-night ride in Mumbai, police said on Saturday, reported the PTI. The incident occurred around 11.15 pm on Thursday, when the pilot was on her way home to Ghatkopar from South Mumbai, an official said. The woman told police that her husband, who is a Navy officer, stays in a Navy residential complex as he has not yet received government accommodation and she resides separately in Ghatkopar. Following dinner at a restaurant in south Mumbai on Thursday night, her husband booked a cab service operated by a private aggregator for her to return home. About 25 minutes into the ride, the cab driver allegedly changed the route and picked up two additional men, the complainant said in her statement to police. “One of them, who sat in the backseat next to her, touched her inappropriately,” the complaint further said. “When she yelled at him, he threatened her, but the cab driver did not intervene,” the officer said, citing the first information report (FIR) in the case, according to the PTI. Later, upon noticing a police checkpoint ahead on the highway, both the male passengers reportedly fled the vehicle. The woman said she reached home safely but received no explanation from the driver when asked why he had allowed the men to enter the cab, PTI reported. She narrated the incident to her husband the next morning, after which the couple approached the Ghatkopar Police and filed a complaint. Based on her statement, an FIR was registered under sections 75(1) (sexual harassment), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway, the police added. (with PTI inputs)
23 June,2025 08:11 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA Mahan Air evacuation flight carrying 256 Indian students, majority of them from the Kashmir valley, landed safely at the Delhi airport on Saturday, bringing much-needed relief to their anxious families amid the Iran-Israel war, reported the PTI. The students, many of whom were stranded in Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, appeared visibly exhausted but relieved after enduring days of fear and uncertainty in the conflict zone. "Thanks to the Government of India for its efforts and timely coordination with Iranian authorities. We remain committed to ensuring the safe evacuation of all remaining students, especially those from vulnerable and remote regions," the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association said in a statement, according to the PTI. The association also confirmed that another evacuation flight carrying Indian students is expected to arrive in the national capital around 11:30 pm. "This was the second flight bringing back Indians from Iran within 24 hours under Operation Sindhu. Another flight from Iran's Mashhad, with 290 Indian students, mostly from Jammu and Kashmir," landed in Delhi late on Friday night, the news agency reported on Saturday. #OperationSindhu flight brings citizens home.🇮🇳 evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims by a charter flight. The flight arrived in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 20 June and was received by Secretary (CPV& OIA) Arun Chatterjee.Government… pic.twitter.com/ZORq0aeza5 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 20, 2025 The Indian authorities, in coordination with their Iranian counterparts, facilitated the movement of stranded students from Iran's Tehran to Mashhad before boarding. Iran has also opened its airspace in a special gesture to support the evacuation. In all, nearly 1,000 Indian nationals are being brought home through a series of special flights. Two additional flights, including one from Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat (expected arrival around 3 am on Sunday), are also scheduled, the news agency reported. "Heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, and all concerned authorities for their timely intervention and support," the Jammu and Kashmir Students' Association reiterated, underlining the emotional relief experienced by families across the Union Territory, reported the PTI. The evacuations are part of Operation Sindhu, launched by the Ministry of External Affairs last week in response to the worsening conflict between Israel and Iran, which has severely disrupted regional air travel and left many Indian nationals stranded. On Thursday, 110 students were flown out via Armenia and Doha. (with PTI inputs)
23 June,2025 06:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAn Air India Express flight operating from Delhi to Srinagar via Jammu had to return to its origin airport without landing at its destination on Monday afternoon, officials confirmed. It was, however, not known immediately what led the flight to return to Delhi, the officials said, reported the PTI. The officials said that the flight IX-2564 was supposed to land in Jammu around the afternoon before leaving for Srinagar, but it hovered over the Jammu airport for some time before its pilot decided to return to Delhi without landing. The weather and the runway were clear, but it seems the pilot could not find the appropriate landing area, they said, according to the PTI. An Air India Express Spokesperson said, “Our Delhi–Jammu flight returned to Delhi as a precautionary measure, following a suspected GPS interference incident.Subsequently an alternative flight was organised to connect guests to Jammu. We regret the inconvenience caused. Instances of GPS signal interference have been reported by operators while flying over certain sensitive regions.” Air India temporarily suspends flights on three routes, cuts frequency on 19 sectors; full details here Meanwhile, last week, Air India had announced another round of temporary reductions to its narrowbody flight operations. However, the airline said the reductions will affect less than 5 per cent of its overall domestic and short-haul international services. The move comes days after the airline announced 15 per cent curbs on widebody international flights amid its ongoing efforts to “strengthen operational stability and reduce last-minute passenger inconvenience”. The airline will temporarily suspend services on three routes and reduce frequencies on 19 routes across its narrowbody network until at least July 15, it informed in a press release. Despite the curtailment, Air India will continue to operate nearly 600 daily flights with its narrowbody aircraft across 120 domestic and regional routes, the airline said in the release. The airline has apologised to the passengers affected by the changes and said it is “proactively reaching out” to offer alternate flights, complimentary rescheduling or full refunds as per individual preferences. The revised schedules are being updated on airindia.com, the airline’s mobile app, and via its contact centre. “We remain committed to restoring our full schedule as soon as practicable, while at all times prioritising the safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft,” the statement added. Whereas on Saturday, the Aviation safety regulator DGCA directed Air India to relieve three of its officials, including a divisional vice president, of all duties related to crew scheduling and rostering, sources confirmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in its order on June 20, also asked the Tata Group-owned airline to initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against these officials without delay, reported news agency PTI.
23 June,2025 06:26 PM IST | Jammu | mid-day online correspondentFollowing Gopal Italia's victory in the Visavadar bye-election, Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Isudan Gadhvi asserted that his party is set to form the government in 2027, news agency ANI reported. Gadhvi further stated that this win signifies a victory for the people of Visavadar, including farmers, labourers, and the unemployed youth. Moreover, he claimed that it marks the beginning of the party's ascent in Gujarat and emphasised that AAP, not Congress, is the party capable of challenging the BJP's dominance in the state, ANI reported. Speaking to ANI, Gadhvi said, "This is a victory of the people of Visavadar, of the farmers, of labourers and unemployed youth. This is a victory of the people of Gujarat. You must have seen that the BJP is not popular here. It does poaching with money, with power... But it poached one leader of AAP, and the leaders of the party got the seat back. It is now certain that if someone can defeat the BJP in Gujarat, it is not Congress... I extend greetings to Gopal Italia and each worker of the party. I would like to send a message across Gujarat that if there is anyone who can defeat the BJP, it is AAP... AAP is going to form the government in 2027. A foundation has been laid today." In Gujarat's Visavadar Assembly by-election, AAP's Gopal Italia defeated BJP's Kirit Patel by 17,554 votes. The Visavadar seat became vacant after Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai resigned. In a post on X, AAP Gujarat expressed its gratitude, stating, "Many thanks to the people of Visavadar, Bhensan and Junagadh villages for choosing the politics of work of Aam Aadmi Party." Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj called it a "massive victory" and a "terrific bounce back," stressing that despite recent setbacks, AAP's influence remains strong in key regions, ANI reported. Speaking to ANI, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "This is a massive victory for AAP. Political analysts were saying that AAP would finish as a party. But after the loss in Delhi, AAP is winning Ludhiana West (Assembly by-elections) and we are also winning a by-election in AAP's stronghold of Gujarat by a huge margin. I think this is a major victory. A few people used to say that Arvind Kejriwal would be sidelined in national politics; this is a terrific bounce back." (With inputs from ANI)
23 June,2025 06:10 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentAnother twist in the tale amid the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, as Russian President Vladimir Putin met with the Iranian Foreign Minister. Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the Kremlin on Monday addressed the US strikes as “absolutely unprovoked aggression” and reaffirmed Russian support for Tehran. The Russian president, while addressing the issue, said, “This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran; (it) has no basis or justification.” He added, “We, for our part, are making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people,” noting Russia's “long-standing, good, reliable relations with Iran”, as reported by AP. Furthermore, Araghchi thanked Russia for condemning the actions of Israel and the US against Iran and expressed gratitude to Russia for extending a helping hand to the country amid the tense global outrage.The Iranian Foreign Minister also said, “These aggressive actions by Israel and the US are completely illegitimate and violate international rules and international norms. We are defending our sovereignty and country, and our defence is legitimate.” Araghchi also stated that Russia has always been Iran's partner in the peaceful nuclear energy sector and has played a positive role in negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme. “In the sphere of Iran's nuclear programme, Russia has always been a partner for us. It built the Bushehr nuclear power plant,” he said. Earlier, the United States of America, on Sunday, 22 June, launched targeted airstrikes on three of Iran’s most critical nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan — in a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Middle East conflict. President Donald Trump is expected to propose a diplomatic off-ramp to avoid further conflict, even as the United Nations expresses deep concern over the growing instability. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the US for its decisive show of strength, calling the strike a major blow to Iran’s military infrastructure amid the tense situation in the Middle East. Before the US bombings, Israel’s campaign had already targeted Iran's enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, and a nuclear site in Isfahan. Israel’s earlier strikes also killed top generals and nuclear scientists in Iran. (With AP Inputs)
23 June,2025 05:55 PM IST | Moscow | mid-day online correspondentThe BJP on Monday took a swipe at the Congress after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP went on to say that the Thiruvananthapuram MP has "exposed" Rahul Gandhi. While addressing the media, Tharoor said on Monday that “Modi's energy, dynamism and willingness to engage is a prime asset for India on the global stage but deserves greater backing,” in remarks that are likely to irk his party and widen the growing cracks in his ties with its leadership. Moreover, Tharoor's praise for PM Modi came at a time when the Congress has consistently been attacking the BJP-led Centre over its foreign policy, alleging that Indian diplomacy is being "shattered" and that the country stands "isolated" globally. As reported by PTI, reacting to Tharoor's comments, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took potshots at the Congress. In a post on X, he said, "Shashi Tharoor admits that PM Modi's dynamism and global outreach are a strategic advantage for India." Pradeep Bhandari also said that "Shashi Tharoor exposes Rahul Gandhi." In an article published in The Hindu, Tharoor stated that the diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor was a moment of national resolve and effective communication. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remain a prime asset for India on the global stage but deserve greater backing." Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who led the multi-party delegation to the United States and four other countries to convey India's stand following the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military operation, stated that "The diplomatic outreach following 'Operation Sindoor' was a moment of national resolve and effective communication. It affirmed that India, when united, can project its voice with clarity and conviction on international platforms." Moreover, speaking in Thiruvananthapuram last week, Tharoor said he has differences of opinion with some in the party leadership, but refused to speak about those in light of the Nilambur Assembly bypoll. The veteran Congress MP also said the Congress, its values, and its workers are very dear to him. (With PTI Inputs)
23 June,2025 05:38 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentWith all the tensions that have been going on in the Middle East, Congress has come out lashing the ruling party for not condemning the United States of America. Congress during the early hours of Monday said, "US President Donald Trump's decision to unleash American air power on Iran makes a 'mockery' of his own calls for the continuation of talks with Iran.” While slamming the Modi government for neither criticising nor condemning the US bombing and Israel's aggression, Congress targeted the government amid foreign tensions. The opposition party, Congress, also reiterated the absolute essentiality of immediate diplomacy and dialogue with Iran. Jairam Ramesh, who is Congress general secretary in charge of communication, said that President Trump's decision to unleash US air power on Iran makes a "mockery" of his calls for the continuation of talks with Iran. as reported by PTI. Jairam Ramesh on social media platform X said, "The Indian National Congress reiterates the absolute essentiality of immediate diplomacy and dialogue with Iran. The Government of India must demonstrate greater moral courage than it has so far.” "The Modi government has unequivocally neither criticised nor condemned the US bombing and Israel's aggression, bombings and targeted assassinations," Ramesh also said on X.He added, "It has also maintained a deafening silence about the genocide being perpetrated on the Palestinians in Gaza." As reported by PTI, his remarks come after the US bombed three major nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – in Iran, bringing itself into the Israel-Iran conflict. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday conveyed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian India's "deep concern" over Iran's conflict with Israel and called for immediate de-escalation of the situation through "dialogue and diplomacy". The US intervention between Israel and Iran’s tension has surely triggered fears of a wider regional conflict, with many leading countries and blocs calling for restraint. With the US attacking the Iranian nuclear facilities, making things a lot more complicated, global tension, especially in the Middle East, looks even worse. On Saturday, before the US bombing, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi had strongly criticised India's silence on Israel's devastation in Gaza and Iran as "not just a loss of its voice, but also a surrender of values". Sonia Gandhi, while expressing her views on the situation, wrote in an article, "It is still not too late for India's voice to be heard." Furthermore, veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had also accused the Modi government of abandoning India's long-standing and principled commitment to a peaceful two-nation solution envisioning an independent Palestine along with Israel. Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, in the article, had also been critical of US President Trump for following a "destructive path" in West Asia after having spoken against America's endless wars. (With PTI Inputs)
23 June,2025 05:13 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued its persistent firefighting operations on Thursday aboard the MV WAN HAI 503, despite rough sea conditions. A specialised unit, including a pilot and two aircrew divers, was deployed via an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter to conduct aerial firefighting. During the operation, the team effectively released 1,000 kilograms of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) onto the heart of the blaze. To minimise environmental impact near the coastline, the ICG has secured the vessel with a towline and is closely monitoring the situation. While the external flames have been put out, thick smoke is still rising from the ship, suggesting internal heat and a potential metallic fire. Firefighting operations are ongoing, with all resources on high alert to ensure the fire is fully extinguished. Earlier, on Tuesday, five salvage personnel and an aircrew diver were winched onto the burning Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 to aid towing efforts. As per the Ministry of Defence, the ship, which caught fire off Kerala's coast on June 9, continues drifting southeast within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), around 42 nautical miles from Beypore, Kerala. According to reports the ship was carrying 1.2 lakh metric tons of fuel and hundreds of containers, that included cargo, that posed serious risk to marine life and local shipping routes, reported ANI. "Intensive firefighting efforts by ICG have significantly reduced visible flames, with only smoke now seen across the cargo holds and bays. However, the fire remains active in the inner decks and near fuel tanks, Five ICG ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are engaged in the ongoing firefighting mission, supported by two vessels from the Directorate General of Shipping. A salvage team appointed by the ship's owners is working in coordination with ICG, and the Indian Air Force has been requested for additional aerial support," the release said. The fire is yet to be extinguished completely, efforts are being made to make a towline and pull the ship away from the coast in order to prevent a potential ecological disaster. The situation remains critical and is being monitored continuously. (With inputs from ANI)
23 June,2025 05:09 PM IST | Kochi | mid-day online correspondentWith the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday warned Arab countries that they will be the next target of Israel and the US. The statement from Farooq Abdullah comes after the United States bombed three nuclear centres in Iran on Sunday morning. Farooq Abdullah said that Israel and the United States of America are eyeing the region for their oil and gas requirements. Speaking to the media after a party meeting at Nawa-i-Subah, Abdullah said, "It is their (United States') long-time policy that Iran should not become a nuclear power. Even the Sunni countries in the region are against it, but they do not have the courage to speak up." He added, "Today, they think Iran has been attacked, but I want to warn them through you that one day, Israel will attack them also, because they want their wealth like oil and gas. Israel is only a facade; America is standing right behind." Asked about the impact of the escalation of the war in the Middle East, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said it will severely affect the economic condition of all countries. "I am hopeful that the (other) world powers are watching the situation. If this (war) escalates, the economic condition of every country will head towards ruin. They should try to stop it, and I pray that they are successful, as our condition in India is also very bad," he added. While responding to a question about media reports on conditions for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, he asserted that the media has been the epitome of spreading falsehoods in the valley, as per PTI. "Who told them (about the conditions)? Did they get a revelation? The media here is habitual of spreading lies; it does not speak the truth. Statehood is a right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is not a favour to them," he said. Earlier, Abdullah said the NC has formed a human rights wing that will be headed by Pampore MLA Justice (retired) Hasnain Masoodi, who will be assisted by two other members. (With PTI Inputs)
23 June,2025 04:30 PM IST | Srinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe Samajwadi Party on Monday expelled three of its own MLAs. It has been informed that the MLAs who have been expelled allegedly cross-voted and helped the BJP win the Rajya Sabha polls last year. They have been expelled for siding with ideologies opposed to the party's core values and for working against public interest. The MLAs who have been expelled by the party are Abhay Singh (MLA from Gosainganj in Ayodhya), Rakesh Pratap Singh (Gauriganj in Amethi), and Manoj Kumar Pandey (Unchahar in Raebareli), the SP said in an official statement shared on its social media handles. This shocking move from the Samajwadi Party comes more than a year after the February 2024 Rajya Sabha elections, in which the three SP MLAs were accused of siding with the BJP. The three MLAs helped the BJP win 8 out of 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, despite the SP having enough strength to claim at least four. Moreover, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had also alleged that the BJP used coercive tactics and inducements to engineer defections and weaken opposition unity in the state assembly. As reported by PTI, while the party said that the legislators were removed for endorsing "communal, divisive, and negative ideologies" that go against the Samajwadi Party's inclusive and progressive principles, the MLAs strongly slammed the Akhilesh Yadav-led party’s decision, questioning its internal leadership and ideological drift. The Samajwadi Party has also accused the expelled leaders of supporting forces that are anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-youth, anti-business, anti-employment, and against the rights of the marginalised. While addressing the situation, the Samajwadi Party also said, “These leaders were earlier given a ‘grace period’ for self-correction, but that time has now lapsed.” It added that there is no room in the party for individuals acting against public welfare or its core ideological framework. The statement concluded with a warning that in the future, those engaging in "anti-people activities" or opposing the party's foundational values will face permanent expulsion. "Be trustworthy wherever you are. Best wishes," the note ended. Speaking to PTI Videos, Pandey, who had resigned as SP's chief whip just ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in 2024, expressed shock over the announcement and ridiculed the party's decision. The expelled MLA from SP stated, “I'm surprised by this development. The tweet (X post) from the party today makes me feel pity for those running the Samajwadi Party. How can a party expel someone who had already joined the BJP in front of a crowd of one lakh people and in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah?” While Pandey claimed that he had "officially joined" the BJP a year ago, the UP Assembly website on Monday still showed him to be a Samajwadi Party member. Responding to SP's remarks about his 'conscience', Pandey said, “Only the living have a conscience. My conscience is awake — always has been.” Moreover, he launched a scathing attack on the SP, accusing it of disrespecting Hindu beliefs. “How can any political party insult Lord Ram, burn the Ramcharitmanas, and make derogatory remarks about Hindu gods and goddesses?” he asked. Criticising the SP's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) policy, Pandey said, “If you want to see the real PDA, look at BJP's Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Whether it's housing or free rations, benefits reach every citizen without discrimination.” SP MLA Pandey, who has been expelled from the party, emphasised that his political journey was based on public service and not privilege. “I have walked through thorns to reach here. I never bowed before injustice or wrong ideology.” Abhay Singh, MLA from Gosainganj in Ayodhya, who has also been expelled from the party, said, “I thank those who made this decision. There's no place left in SP for those who speak the truth.” He accused the party of being run by “non-socialist forces” and mocked its PDA slogan by calling it the “Parivaar Development Authority.” Singh said his differences with the party began when SP leaders refused to condemn the burning of the Ramcharitmanas and derogatory remarks against Hinduism. “They even objected to me visiting Ayodhya. That's when the separation began,” he added. Regarding his future political plans, Singh said he would consult his constituents and family elders. “The people of Gauriganj have elected me three times. We will discuss and decide together.” Abhay Singh also said he was in regular touch with the two other expelled MLAs and five others who had received notices from the party earlier. “All eight of us are in conversation. I hope SP expels the remaining five soon too,” he said. In the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the BJP holds 258 seats, followed by 107 for SP, 13 for Apna Dal (S), 9 for RLD, 5 each for SBSP and NISHAD, 2 each for Congress and Jansatta Dal Loktantrik, and 1 for BSP. (With PTI Inputs)
23 June,2025 04:23 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentVice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stated on Monday that the National Education Policy (NEP), once implemented, will transform India's educational landscape as it resonates with the country's "civilizational spirit, sense and ethos," news agency PTI reported. Vice President Dhankhar shared his perspectives while addressing the inaugural session of the 99th annual meet and national conference of vice-chancellors, organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) at Amity University in Noida. "I must share with you that after more than three decades, something has happened which has truly changed the landscape of our education. I am referring to the National Education Policy 2020," he informed the gathering of academic leaders, according to PTI. Reflecting on his experience as the former Governor of West Bengal, the Vice President mentioned his close association with the development of this policy. According to PTI, the Vice President further stated, "Input from hundreds of thousands of people was considered in shaping this policy after more than three decades." "The policy resonates with our civilizational spirit, sense and ethos, and it will transform our educational system when implemented," he added. The Vice President also paid tribute to BJP ideologue and Jana Sangha founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his "Balidan Diwas" on Monday, describing it as a historic day. "It's a great day in the history of our nation. Today is the 'Balidan Diwas' of one of the finest sons of the soil, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The name itself is revered," he said. Recalling Mookerjee's contribution to the integration of Jammu and Kashmir, Dhankhar highlighted the powerful slogan he raised during his campaign in 1952: "Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan aur Ek Pradhan hoga desh mein, do nahin honge" (There will be one constitution, one flag and one head in the country, not two), PTI reported. "For too long, we suffered under Article 370, which bled both us and the state of Jammu and Kashmir in several ways," he stated. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has erected banners outside several schools in Mumbai's Dadar, urging parents to sign a petition against making Hindi a compulsory subject in Maharashtra schools. Parents of students at Saneguruji School and IES Modern English School (Ashlane) were observed signing the banners, which were titled "Ek Sahi Hindi Sakti Virodhachi" (One Signature Against Hindi Forcefulness) and organised by the MNS. This campaign follows the Maharashtra School Education Department’s recent Government Resolution (GR), which has drawn sharp criticism from MNS chief Raj Thackeray. Earlier, during a press conference on 18th June, Thackeray had fiercely opposed the move, questioning whether similar policies would ever be implemented in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. He argued that forcing Hindi in Maharashtra schools was politically motivated and unnecessary, as students already learn Marathi and English. Thackeray further warned that this would harm the legacy and identity of Marathi speakers. (With inputs from PTI)
23 June,2025 03:20 PM IST | Noida | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1749722757821_d.png "Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued its persistent firefighting operations on Thursday aboard MV WAN HAI 503. Representation Pic/File.")
-1750676005972_d.png "Samajwado Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav. Pic/File pic")
