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1. Allowing unauthorised places of worship is 'insult to god', says SC: The Supreme Court expressed anguish over inaction of authorities for allowing the existence of unauthorised places of worship on roads and pavements across the country, saying "it is an insult to god." "You have to demolish such structures. We know you are not doing anything. None of the states are doing anything. You have no right to allow it. God never intended to obstruct the path. But you are obstructing the path. It is an insult to god," a bench comprising Justices V Gopala Gowda and Arun Mishra observed. The remarks were made as the bench pulled up states and union territories for their failure to comply with its directions to file affidavits spelling out steps they have taken to remove illegal religious structures from public roads and pavements. (Image Source: Reuters)
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2. Govt makes a U-turn on Kohinoor diamond: The Narendra Modi government made a U-turn on the Kohinoor issue saying it will make all efforts to bring back the valued diamond it had said in the Supreme Court was "neither stolen nor forcibly" taken by British rulers but given to it by erstwhile rulers of Punjab. In a statement, the government claimed it has not yet conveyed its views to the court "contrary to what is being misrepresented" in the media. (Image Source: Reuters)
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3. In Odd-even rule drive, Delhi govt impounds 25 app-based taxis: Cracking the whip against app-based taxi services, including of Ola and Uber, the transport department of Delhi government has impounded 25 cabs for violating various rules. The government had directed transport department to take strict action against those companies that are charging fares more than prescribed rates during the odd-even car rationing period. Transport Minister Gopal Rai today said strict action will be taken against app-based taxi services if they charge exorbitant fares from customers. Ola and Uber had yesterday suspended 'surge pricing' after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding against overcharging by taxis. (Image Source: PTI)
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4. On P Chidambaram-Ishrat Jehan row, Sonia Gandhi comes under fresh BJP fire: Firing a fresh salvo at Sonia Gandhi over the Ishrat Jahan issue, BJP today suggested that the Congress chief had asked the then Home Minister P Chidambaram to file a second affidavit in the case as UPA could "tolerate terrorists but not Narendra Modi as Prime Minister". Party spokesperson Sambit Patra asked Chidambaram to name the "culprit" who asked him to change the affidavit in which references to Ishrat being an LeT operative and a threat to the life of Modi, then Gujarat's Chief Minister, were made. "Mr P Chidambram let the nation know. Who is she who wrote the conspiracy? Because we all know that in the Congress party diktats come from a singular address. You know the address. The remote control lies with her," he told a press conference, making a clear reference to the Congress chief. The remote control is only at one place which is 10 Janpath,” he said, refering to Gandhi's address. He alleged Sonia Gandhi, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram "suppressed" information provided by the NIA and the FBI, the US probe agency, about Ishrat being a terrorist and a threat to Modi's life. (Image Source: PTI)
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5. Kirpal Singh's body arrives in India, heart, stomach missing: The heart and stomach of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, were missing when his body arrived here today and handed over to Indian authorities. Dr B S Bal, Principal of Government Medical College Amritsar, told reporters after an autopsy of Kirpal Singh's body that "during the postmortem examination, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body". Bal said "now we have his kidney and liver and samples of these two organs would be sent outside Amritsar for laboratory tests to bring out more facts with regard to his death". (Image Source: PTI)
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6. Not formally approached for 'Atulya Bharat', says Amitabh Bachchan: Big B sought to put a lid on speculation that government is having second thoughts on engaging him for 'Incredible India' campaign after his name appeared in Panama paper leaks, saying he has not been "formally" approached for the task. "There have been queries from the media regarding my being Brand Ambassador for 'Atulya Bharat' (Incredible India). I wish to state that I have not been formally approached for this position. "The speculation of the media regarding its discontinuance is, therefore, not relevant as far as I am concerned," Bachchan, 73, said in a statement here. His clarification came following reports that his name has been "put on hold for the brand ambassador's role" after figuring in Panama papers, according to Tourism Ministry sources. (Image Source: Reuters)
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7. NDA govt will support quota till there is inequality, says Uma Bharti: NDA government will support quota till there is "inequality" in the country, Union Minister Uma Bharti today said and asserted Constitution architect B R Ambedkar and not Rohith Vemula should be "role model" for Dalits. "I felt very sad when Rohith Vemula committed suicide. His suicide was a matter of shame for the entire country. But I heard one statement that Rohith Vemula is our role model. Only Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar can be role model of Dalits and no one else. Because he chose to fight, he assessed challenges and fought them," Bharti said. (Image Source: PTI)
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8. Congress should be washed away, says Uma Bharti: Union Minister Uma Bharti today attacked Congress on the Ishrat Jahan issue, saying it shows what "extent" the party can go to pursue its "appeasement politics." She also insisted that the party be "washed away" from the country. "All I want to say is that Congress always did (played) communal politics. And for them, meaning of communal politics was politics of appeasement only. And this (Ishrat case) is the example to what extent they could go. That's why I will say that Congress should be totally washed away from the country," Bharti said. (Image Source: PTI)
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9. Drinking water not safe in Delhi, says Ram Vilas Paswan: Drinking water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board is not safe for consumption as prescribed quality standards are not being met, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said today. The Minister also urged consumers to complain if packaged drinking water is sold above maximum retail price at places like five star hotels, cinemas and airport so that the government can take strict action against such sellers. "The issue of safe drinking water was discussed in the meeting today. Nobody can drink tap water in Delhi. Delhi's water is not safe for drinking, though there are quality standards in place," Paswan told reporters after the meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC). (Image Source: PTI)
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10. CPI-M will be demolished after Assembly poll, says Mamata Banerjee: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today said the more the opposition would resorts to badmouthing her and her party, the easier it would be to score spectacular success in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly polls. "The more they will resort to badmouthing and giving bad name to us, the more Trinamool Congress will flourish," Banerjee said at an election rally here in Howrah district. Cautioning the opposition Left Front-Congress combine and the BJP, she said "these accusations will not help. After the elections, the CPI-M will be demolished, Congress will not be seen and BJP, which only creates religious divide, should not even look at Bengal". "Who are they (BJP) to lecture us?" the West Bengal chief minister said, adding that they should do their work properly at the Centre. (Image Source: PTI)
Income Tax Return Deadline Extension 2025 LIVE: Govt extended ITR filing due date in May, yet 5.3 crore returns filed so far
