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CM Fadnavis urges unity amidst Maharashtra language row at JNU event

Amidst an ongoing 'language war' in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted on Thursday that language should never be a source of conflict and that a Marathi individual could never be narrow-minded on such matters, reported news agency PTI. Addressing a function at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that his government’s policy advocates for Marathi alongside other Indian languages. This comes even as parts of Mumbai experienced violent protests against the perceived “imposition of Hindi” in Maharashtra. "Language is a means of communication, but never of discord. Mother tongue is important. Every Marathi person is proud of the Marathi language. Insistence on Marathi is natural and justified, but we should also respect other Indian languages," he remarked. Fadnavis was speaking at an event to inaugurate the Kusumagraj Special Centre for Marathi Language, Literature and Culture, and the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at JNU. "The debate is not Marathi versus Hindi. There is no alternative to Marathi. A Marathi person has to accept Marathi. But our policy is Marathi along with other Indian languages. We should learn Marathi and also know other languages," he clarified. The Chief Minister further added, "I say time and again, a Marathi person can never be narrow-minded. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj never taught us to be narrow-minded. Sant Dnyaneshwar prayed for the welfare of the entire world and not just his followers." Furthermore, CM Fadnavis announced that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would also be installed on the JNU campus, with Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit having agreed to his government’s proposal in this regard. The Maharashtra government’s earlier decision to introduce a three-language formula in primary schools had sparked protests from Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) over the alleged “imposition of Hindi.” Although the state government subsequently rolled back its decision, the issue notably united the estranged Thackeray cousins, who claimed to have joined forces for the cause of Marathi, PTI reported. Earlier on the JNU campus, Fadnavis had faced protests from a group of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists. The newly inaugurated Kusumagraj Special Centre is dedicated to Marathi language, literature, and cultural traditions, named after the renowned Marathi poet and Jnanpith awardee. According to PTI, it will offer postgraduate and certificate-level programmes aimed at promoting multilingualism and cultural understanding. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies will focus on exploring indigenous strategic traditions, drawing inspiration from the Maratha Empire. This centre is envisioned to become a pivotal hub for military history, strategy, and future policy development, rooted in India’s historical wisdom. (With inputs from PTI)

24 July,2025 10:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Rahul Gandhi is also facing a separate defamation case in Pune. File Pic

Nashik court grants bail to Rahul Gandhi in V D Savarkar defamation case

A court in Nashik district of Maharashtra has granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed over his comments about Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter V D Savarkar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022, reported the PTI. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, appeared via video link before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate R C Narwadia and pleaded not guilty. The case was filed by Devendra Bhutada, a local resident and NGO director, through his lawyer Manoj Pingle, under Sections 500 (defamation) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code, according to the PTI. Following Rahul Gandhi’s plea, his legal team requested bail, which was granted on a bond of Rs 15,000, said advocate Pingle. The complainant alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s statements made at a press conference in Hingoli and during a speech on the Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022 had damaged the reputation of Savarkar, the news agency reported. “The speech of the accused, along with press statements, attempts to tarnish the image of my idol, Swatantryaveer Savarkar, and his contributions to society and the freedom movement,” the complaint stated, the PTI reported. The remarks in question involved Rahul Gandhi alleging that “Savarkar prayed for release with folded hands and later promised to serve the British government,” which the complainant claims amounted to an attack on Savarkar’s legacy. Rahul Gandhi is also facing a separate defamation case in Pune, filed by Savarkar’s grandnephew, over similar remarks concerning the late Hindutva icon. Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi had pleaded not guilty in a Pune court in the case. Judicial Magistrate (First Class) and Special Judge (MP/MLA court) Amol Sriram Shinde read out the charge, levelled by Satyaki Savarkar, a grandnephew of V D Savarkar, to which Rahul Gandhi pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Milind Pawar, according to the PTI. The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha was not present in the court and his lawyer Milind Pawar pleaded not guilty on his behalf before the court. The judge, during the recording of the plea, asked whether the accused has received copies of the complaint and accompanying documents, to which Pawar said yes, as per the PTI. On the second question on whether the accused has understood the particulars of the offence levelled against him, the defence lawyer replied in the affirmative, the news agency reported. On the third and last question, which was "do you plead guilty", Milind Pawar replied "no, I do not plead guilty" on Rahul Gandhi's behalf. (with PTI inputs)

24 July,2025 09:37 PM IST | Nashik (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
Counsel for the petitioners argued that owing to the Brahmaputra river frequently changing its course, people are often forced to relocate to higher ground. Representational pic

SC issues notice to Assam Government on contempt plea over 'illegal demolitions'

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday issued a notice to the Assam government authorities in response to a contempt petition alleging unlawful demolitions of homes in Hasila Beel, Goalpara district, ANI reported. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran sought responses from the Assam Chief Secretary and other officials within two weeks.  “We want to issue notice but if the government comes with a defence that it is government land, then we have already said that our order will not be applicable to land which are owned by the government, any encroachment on the streets, public place, abutting rivers and abutting water bodies,” the apex court bench said. The petition, filed by eight residents from Goalpara, claimed that mass eviction and demolition drives conducted in June had impacted over 667 families, many of whom had been living on the land for six to seven decades. Counsel for the petitioners argued that owing to the Brahmaputra river frequently changing its course, people are often forced to relocate to higher ground. The plea, filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed, sought contempt proceedings against Assam government officials for allegedly violating Supreme Court directives during the demolition operations in Goalpara. It was alleged that the demolitions were carried out without granting the affected persons a personal hearing or sufficient time to file an appeal or seek judicial review. According to the petition, only two days’ notice was provided, after which the demolitions commenced, ANI reported. The petitioners stated that they and their families had been residing in Hasilabeel revenue village for around 60 years without any objection from the authorities until recently. On June 13, officials issued a notice instructing all residents to vacate and remove their structures in the next two days. They claimed that within days, a mass eviction and demolition drive was carried out, without any fresh show-cause notices or opportunity for personal representation. The petitioners have also sought interim relief in the form of compensation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of demolished homes, schools, and other community structures, reported ANI. The Supreme Court had, on November 13 last year, delivered a landmark judgment laying down nationwide guidelines which stated that no property should be demolished without prior notice and that affected parties must be granted at least 15 days to respond. However, the apex court clarified that these protections would not apply to unauthorised constructions on public land such as roads, footpaths, railway tracks, or areas adjoining rivers and water bodies, or in cases where a demolition order had been issued by a court of law. (With ANI inputs)

24 July,2025 09:32 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Since the 38-day annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3, over 3.40 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high shrine. PIC/ PTI

Fresh batch of 3,500 pilgrims leaves Jammu for Amarnath Cave shrine

A fresh batch of 3,500 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Thursday for the Amarnath cave shrine in Anantnag district, officials said. The 22nd batch of Amarnath pilgrims, comprising 2,704 men, 675 women, 12 children, and 109 sadhus and sadhvis, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Thursday under tight security. The pilgrims departed in two convoys of 140 vehicles for the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal. While 2,668 pilgrims left for Pahalgam in a convoy of 95 vehicles, 832 pilgrims took the Baltal route in 45 vehicles. With this, a total of 1,33,878 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the Kashmir valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of the Amarnath Yatra.  Since the 38-day annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3, over 3.40 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high shrine housing a naturally formed ice shivlingam. Last year, over 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine. 'Chhari Mubarak' taken to Shankaracharya Temple for Haryali Amavasya prayers Meanwhile, 'Chhari Mubarak', the saffron robed holy mace of Lord Shiva was taken to the historic Shankaracharya temple on Thursday for special prayers on the occasion of 'Haryali-Amavasya (Shravan Amavasya)' as per decades-old traditions.  The Chhari Mubarak Swami Amarnath Ji led by Mahant Deependra Giri was taken to the temple located at Gopadri hills for prayers as part of the ongoing annual Amarnath Yatra 2025 pilgrimage. Giri, the custodian of the mace, said that the Chhari Mubarak was taken from its abode at Dashnami Akhara near Lal Chowk here to the temple where a 'pujan' was held. The sound of conch shells charged the atmosphere and 'pujan' was performed chanting vedic hymns, he said. The sadhus accompanying the holy mace took part in the pooja, during which collective prayers were offered for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, Mahant Deependra Giri said. He added that the Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the Sharika Bhawani temple at Hari Parbat on Friday to pay obeisance to the goddess. Rituals for Chhari Sthapana will be performed at Shri Amareshwar temple, Dashnami Akhara, on Sunday, followed by Chhari Pujan at the Akhara on Nag Panchami on Tuesday. The Mahant will then lead the holy mace to the Amarnath cave shrine, with night halts at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, to perform pujan and have darshan on the morning of Shravan Purnima on August 9. The pilgrimage will conclude with the visarjan (immersion) of the mace in the Lidder River at Pahalgam the following day. (Inputs frrom PTI)

24 July,2025 08:31 PM IST | Jammu | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. File Pic

SC agrees to hear plea to allow BS-VI end-of-life vehicles to ply in Delhi-NCR

Amid the concerning policies related to the fuel ban and vehicle scrap policy in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear an application seeking to allow vehicles meeting the BS-VI emission standards to operate in the Delhi-NCR instead of a blanket age-based ban on vehicles. As reported by news agency ANI, a bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran agreed to examine whether BS-VI compliant vehicles should have an end-of-life period of 15 years for petrol vehicles and 10 years for diesel vehicles in the NCR. While considering the BS-VI end-of-life argument, the bench posted the matter for hearing next Monday, after an advocate mentioned the application for urgent listing. The advocate stated that a direction from the Supreme Court is necessary to permit such vehicles to continue operating even after their life term has expired, as these periods were established by the court itself, as per the news agency ANI.  The advocate further asserted that the government can't alter or modify it, given the apex court orders relating to curbing pollution. He also highlighted that earlier in 2015, the National Green Tribunal directed that diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years should no longer be allowed to operate in Delhi NCR to combat pollution. Following up on that, the Supreme Court of India in 2018 upheld the directions of the National Green Tribunal on this matter.  In accordance with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) mandate, the Delhi government has recently instituted the policy of "No fuel for 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles," effective July 1, 2025. Nevertheless, the city government suspended the project within two days of its implementation, citing "operational and infrastructural challenges" as the cause for the public outcry. Earlier, days after the scrappage policy on older vehicles in Delhi, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday clarified that the government has not prohibited the plying of old vehicles.  Nitin Gadkari further asserted that it was the National Green Tribunal that banned the use of diesel and petrol vehicles beyond a certain age in the NCR. (With inputs from ANI)

24 July,2025 04:50 PM IST | New Delhi
Representational Image. File Pic

Aviation regulator DGCA issues 4 show cause notices to Air India

Problems for Air India do not seem to be easing at the moment. Since the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, which happened on 12 June. Air India has been under the radar of the Director General of Civil Aviation.  On Thursday, aviation regulator DGCA issued another four show cause notices to Air India for various violations related to cabin crew rest and duty norms, cabin crew training rules, and operational procedures. The notice from the DGCA comes a month after the airline made certain voluntary disclosures to the aviation regulator, as reported by the news agency PTI. According to PTI, the show cause notices were issued on July 23 on the basis of voluntary disclosures made by the airline to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 20 and 21. An Air India spokesperson, while issuing a statement, asserted that "We acknowledge receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last year by Air India. We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers," as cited by news agency PTI.  PTI has also reported that three show cause notices have been issued based on the voluntary disclosures made by Air India on June 20, including violations of cabin crew duty and rest regulations with respect to at least four ultra-long-haul flights—two operated on April 27 and one each on April 28 and May 2.  Furthermore, there were also violations in crew training and operational procedures in relation to at least four flights, including those operated on July 26, 2024, October 9, 2024, and April 22, 2025. The statement also highlighted that “one of the DGCA show cause notices pertains to violations of flight duty period/weekly rest violations with respect to flights operated on June 24, 2024, and June 13, 2025,” as cited by news agency PTI.  Another show cause notice, based on the airline's voluntary disclosures made on June 21, is about three instances of violations in cabin crew training and operational procedures. These violations happened on some of the flights operated on April 10-11, February 16-May 19, and December 1, 2024, the sources said. (With inputs from PTI)

24 July,2025 04:45 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
PMs Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi at Chequers, Aylesbury, on Thursday. PIC/AFP

India, UK seal historic free trade deal to boost 34 billion dollar in trade

India and the UK on Thursday inked a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) that will cut tariffs on British whisky, cars and an array of items, besides boosting bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annually. The deal was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer. The FTA is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to Indian officials. The deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, they said. The UK said Indian consumers will benefit from improved access to the best British products -- from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices, as average tariffs will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent after the FTA kicks in. The UK already imports 11 billion pounds in goods from India, but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper for British consumers and businesses to buy Indian products and boost Indian businesses' exports to the UK, it said in a statement, hours before the FTA was inked. "Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain," Starmer was quoted as saying in the readout. Indian officials said India's landmark free trade pact with the UK will benefit it significantly as the deal will ensure the elimination of tariffs on approximately 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value. The FTA is also set to make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket, they said.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

24 July,2025 04:40 PM IST | London | PTI
File Photo.

Pune: NCP MLA's brother arrested after shot fired during folk dance performance

Police have apprehended three individuals, including the brother of a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), in connection with an incident involving a shot fired into the air during a dance performance at a folk art centre in Daund tehsil, Pune district, reported news agency PTI. The incident occurred late on Monday evening at the Ambika Lok Kala Kendra near Yavat, a venue known for traditional Lavani and Tamasha performances. Following the event, a case was registered against four individuals after one of them fired a round into the air during the dance performance. However, the suspects were identified as Kailas alias Balasaheb Mandekar, Ganpat Jagtap, Chandrakant Marne, and Raghunath Avad. According to PTI, Kailas Mandekar is the younger brother of Shankar Mandekar, who currently represents the Bhor assembly constituency in Pune for the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. Kailas Mandekar is accused of firing the shot into the air during the dance performance at the Lok Kala Kendra, police official confirmed. "We have arrested three persons - Kailas Mandekar, Ganapat Jagtap and Raghunath Avad - under section 125 (endanger human life or the personal safety of others) and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). We have also recovered the weapon and a vehicle from the accused," he said. Police officials further stated that while a dance performance featuring women was underway around 10:30 PM on Monday, Mandekar allegedly fired a shot into the air while dancing. Subsequently, he and his companions left the venue. Moreover, the police have confirmed that no one was harmed in the incident. Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar, leader of NCP (SP) faction, said that an attempt was made to suppress the case. "If the incident took place on July 21, what were the police doing? We have learned that after this alleged incident of firing at the Lok Kala Kendra, police filmed videos of the artists and workers at that centre in which they stated no incident of firing took place there," he said. He even raised concerns about potential pressure on the police to refrain from registering a case, as one of the individual involved is a brother to a ruling party MLA. "On Wednesday, police acknowledged that the firing did take place and registered a case," he added. Speaking to reporters, MLA Shankar Mandekar admitted his brother's involvement in the incident, stating that if his brother was found guilty, appropriate action should be taken against him. "My younger brother was there at the folk art centre and whatever happened there was wrong," he said. Furthermore, he claimed that his brother does not possess a firearms licence and was not carrying any firearm. "The firearm belongs to Ganpat Jagtap and he possesses a valid license," he clarified. (With inputs from PTI)

24 July,2025 03:43 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Preliminary investigation reveals illegal loan diversion of around Rs 3,000 crores from Yes Bank (period 2017 to 2019). File Pic

Reliance Power, Infra say financial performance remains unaffected

"The ED probe allegedly linked to money laundering case against Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAGA) Companies has absolutely no impact on the business operations, financial performance, shareholders, employees, or any other stakeholders of Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure," the Anil Ambani-owned Group companies said in two different standalone statements Thursday. "No Impact on Reliance Power, its business operations, financial performance, shareholders, employees, or any other stakeholders," Reliance Power asserted in its statement. "The media reports appear to pertain to allegations concerning transactions of Reliance Communications Limited (RCOM) or Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) which are over 10 years old," the statements, with language largely similar, read. Reliance Power is an independent listed entity with no business or financial connections to RCOM or RHFL, as stated. Similarly, Reliance Infrastructure is also a separate listed entity with no link to RCOM or RHFL. RCOM has been under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process according to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, for more than six years. RHFL has been fully resolved pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court of India. "Similar allegations as those set out in the media reports are sub-judice and pending before the Hon'ble Securities Appellate Tribunal, as per publicly available information," the statements read. "Further, Mr Anil D. Ambani is not on the Board of Reliance Power. Accordingly, any action taken against RCOM or RHFL has no bearing or impact on the governance, management, or operations of Reliance Power. Reliance Power continues to focus on its business plans and remains committed to creating value for all stakeholders," the Reliance Power statement concluded. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday launched a massive search operation at 35 premises, 50 companies and over 25 persons, allegedly linked to a money laundering case against Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAGA) Companies, official sources said. The action was initiated after the ED began an investigation into alleged money laundering by RAAGA companies, following the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Preliminary investigation by ED has revealed a well-planned and thought-out scheme to divert and siphon off public money by cheating banks, shareholders, investors and other public institutions. The offence of bribing bank officials, including, promoter of Yes Banks Limited, is also under scanner," Officials, privy to the development, stated, reported ANI.  Preliminary investigation reveals illegal loan diversion of around Rs 3,000 crores from Yes Bank (period 2017 to 2019). The ED stated that "just before the loan was sanctioned, funds were transferred into the accounts of Yes Bank promoters." It is currently investigating the suspected nexus between the loan approval and possible bribery. "ED has found gross violations in Yes Bank loan approvals to RAAGA companies, such as Credit Approval Memorandums (CAMs) were back-dated, Investments were proposed without any due diligence and credit analysis in violation of the Bank's Credit Policy inter alia," said the officials, reported news agency ANI.  In violation of the loan terms, the officials said, these loans were further diverted to many group companies and shell companies. "Some red flags found by ED include- loans given to entities with weak financials, no proper documentation of loans, no due diligence, borrowers have common addresses, and common directors etc., diversion of loans to promoter group entities, ever greening of GPC loans, loans onward lent on same date, loans disbursed on same date as date of application, loans disbursed prior to sanction, Misrepresentation of financials," the officials said, reported news agency ANI.  It is also informed that "Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is also learnt to have shared its findings with ED in the case of RHFL," reported news agency ANI.  "Dramatic increase in corporate loans by RHFL, from Rs 3,742.60 crore in Financial Year 2017-18 to Rs 8,670.80 crore in Financial Year 2018-19 is also under ED lens. Issues of irregular and expedited approvals, process deviations many other illegalities have been found," added the officials, reported ANI.  (With ANI inputs)

24 July,2025 03:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla leaves after adjourning the House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. PIC/PTI

Lok Sabha adjourned for fourth consecutive day amid Opposition ruckus

The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned on Thursday for the fourth consecutive day amid persistent protests by the Opposition over the issue of the ongoing voter roll revision in Bihar. In the morning, Speaker Om Birla had to adjourn proceedings when Opposition members raised slogans, entered the Well of the House and also displayed placards demanding that the SIR be withdrawn. When the Lower House met again at 2 pm, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was the chairing the session, urged members to participate in a bill which seeks to provide seats for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly, reported PTI. As the ruckus escalated, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal questioned the Opposition for not allowing discussion on the bill which will benefit the Scheduled Tribe population of the state. However, as protests continued unabated, the proceedings were adjourned for the day. Earlier in the day, Speaker Om Birla asked the protesting members to go back to their seats and assured that as per rules they will be given opportunities to raise issues. Taking the name of senior Congress leader KC Venugopal, Birla said it was not the culture of his party to indulge in sloganeering in the House. Birla repeatedly mentioned that sloganeering and display of placards is not in accordance with the dignity of the House and wondered what kind of message such actions will send out. As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings in less than seven minutes, reported PTI. One question was taken up before the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm. The Opposition is demanding a discussion on the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, an exercise initiated by the Election Commission ahead of the state assembly polls due later this year. Leader of Rajya Sabha JP Nadda bids farewell to retiring members of House Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Jagat Prakash Nadda, bid farewell to the retiring MPs on Thursday, praising their contributions in enriching the house and wishing them well for their future endeavours. "Today, 6 members are having their farewell. In that Wilson ji is coming back, I welcome him back. On behalf of my party and myself, I extend my congratulations and wish the people well. This house functions with continuity; that is why many new people come into Rajya Sabha, their terms finish, and they leave. In a democracy, discussion is expected. We also know that the beauty of democracy is that we agree to disagree," Nadda said during his address in the Parliament. "The house has been enriched with the way the 6 members have participated in discussions for policies. The house will always remember this," he added. The MPs who are retiring today include Vaiko (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), MM Abdulla (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), N Chandrasegharan (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), Anbumani Ramdas, and N Sanmugam (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), representing the state of Tamil Nadu. The sixth MP, P Wilson, has been re-elected, with his next term set to start on Friday. Talking about the speeches of the retiring MPs, Nadda wished them well for any future endeavours, adding, "The members have discussed on labour, legal issues, put forward society's issues, and with their contributions, debates have gotten a platform. I congratulate them and wish them well. Even if one's duration is over, their time to do work is not finished. We get enough opportunities to work in various platforms." Nadda praised Vaiko’s speech for being as energetic as all the others before, joking that the MDMK MP does not seem ready for retirement. (With PTI and ANI inputs)

24 July,2025 03:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
As Mahadayi row escalates both states fiercely defend their claims over the river’s water  File Pic.

‘Mahadayi is our Lifeline’: Goa CM clashes with Karnataka over water sharing

The Mahadayi river water dispute has once again intensified into a heated legal and political conflict between Karnataka and Goa, with both states fiercely defending their claims over the river’s waters. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday underscored the river’s significance, saying, “For everyone, Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline.” He emphasised that the Goa government is actively presenting its case before the Supreme Court, the central government, and the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal, arguing that the river’s flow into Goa must remain uninterrupted, as it sustains both the people and the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary, reported ANI.  On the contrary, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused Goa’s leadership and the central government of obstructing the project. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah wrote, "The Goa CM's remark on the Mahadayi project is an insult to the people of Karnataka. Why hasn't the Union Govt officially communicated any concerns? Is this how federalism works under BJP? Backdoor sabotage, silence, and betrayal? What crime have Kannadigas committed? Are we being punished for not surrendering to the BJP? Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste; it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka," reported ANI. “For decades, our people have waited for justice. But the leaders of the BJP in the Janata Dal in Karnataka have no spine to speak up. Their silence today will be remembered tomorrow," he added. The Mahadayi River originates in Karnataka’s Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa before draining into the Arabian Sea. Karnataka has proposed diverting 7.56 TMC of water from the river to the Malaprabha valley under the Kalasa-Banduri project, aiming to provide drinking water to over 40 lakh people in North Karnataka, including Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, and Bagalkot, as reported by ANI. Further striking the controversy, Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil revealed that Goa’s Chief Minister had told the assembly that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav assured Goa that the Centre would not permit Karnataka to proceed with the Mahadayi diversion project. Patil called the reported assurance “shocking and against the people of Karnataka,” demanding that the Centre grant clearance to begin project work, reported ANI.  Meanwhile, Goa is preparing to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court, accusing Karnataka of taking steps to divert the river’s water in violation of court directives. Karnataka plans to raise the issue in its upcoming monsoon session starting August 11. (Inputs from ANI)  

24 July,2025 03:06 PM IST | Porvorim, Goa | mid-day online correspondent
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