Page 2 - Yogi Adityanath

UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities Act appears to be draconian: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act appeared to be "draconian". The observation by a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan came while it was hearing a plea filed by a man who has challenged a May 2023 Allahabad High Court order dismissing his application seeking to set aside proceedings against him pending before a district court in Kasganj in a case registered under the Act. "This Act appears to be draconian," the apex court observed. "We will consider it," the bench said while admitting the appeal. While hearing the matter in November last year, the SC had sought responses from the Uttar Pradesh government and others on the plea and said, "By way of ad-interim order, no coercive steps be taken against the petitioner qua Gangster Act." On Wednesday the petitioner's counsel said he has been booked in the case under the provisions of the 1986 Act on allegations of illegal mining in the Ganga

Rahul to visit violence-hit Sambhal today amid ban on entry of outsiders

A Congress delegation led by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit the violence-hit Sambhal on Wednesday, with police and administration geared up to stop them before reaching the district. Prohibitory orders, including a ban on the entry of outsiders, are in place in Sambhal. Last week, several Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs were stopped from entering the district. Curbs under Section 163 (power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which were set to expire on Sunday, have now been extended till December 31 in Sambhal. Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia on Tuesday wrote a letter to the police commissioners of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad and the superintendents of police of Amroha and Bulandshahr districts, urging them to stop Gandhi at the borders of their districts keeping in mind the "communal sensitivity" of Sambhal. Gandhi will be accompanied by five other Congress MPs

UP govt's panel for addressing farmers' issues to submit report in a month

The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a committee to address grievances related to the ongoing farmers' protest and sought a report within one month. The directive was issued by Abhishek Prakash, Secretary of the Industrial Development Department. Over a hundred protesters including leaders of farmers' groups were taken into custody by the police in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Tuesday, according to Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh. Singh said that the women and elderly who were taken into custody during the protest were later released. The protesters were agitating over demands of compensation in lieu of their land acquired by the government in the past. According to the directive, issued on December 1, the committee has been tasked with examining complaints raised by farmers regarding land acquisition and compensation disputes. It will also review and investigate matters highlighted in earlier government orders dated February 21, 2024, and August 27, 2024. The panel is expected

Centre releases 1st instalment of Rs 1,050 cr for Maha Kumbh: CM Adityanath

The Centre on Tuesday released the first instalment of Rs 1,050 crore of its Rs 2,100 crore grant for the upcoming Maha Kumbh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said and extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Adityanath said that under the successful guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the "double-engine" government is determined to make the world's largest cultural and spiritual gathering 'Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025' divine and grand. "In this series, a special grant assistance of Rs 2,100 crore was approved by the Central government, out of which the first instalment of Rs 1,050 crore has been released today. This support from the Central government will help in realizing a clean, safe and well-organized Mahakumbh for the devotees," he said in a post on X. "Heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for this gift which is helpful in realizing the concept of divine-grand-digital Mahakumbh," he added. Organised after a gap of every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh will be

Cong workers clash with cops in Lucknow after stopped from visiting Sambhal

Police have erected barricades outside the Uttar Pradesh Congress committee office and the residences of several party leaders who were to accompany the unit's chief Ajay Rai on a fact-finding visit to violence-hit Sambhal, a party spokesperson said on Monday. Vikas Srivastava, the spokesperson, said the barricades were erected on Sunday night itself. The Congress had plans to visit Sambhal on Monday. Speaking to PTI, Rai said, "We had decided to visit Sambhal on December 2 as the government ban on the entry of public representatives was to be lifted by November 30. Now, they have suddenly extended the ban till December 10. The government clearly wants to hide its flaws." Rai spent the night at the Congress committee office along with several party workers. "If prevented, we would agitate peacefully in a Gandhian way as we are followers of Mahatma Gandhi," he said. Violence erupted in Sambhal on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, killing four peopl

Uttar Pradesh govt designates Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as new district

In a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has declared the Maha Kumbh area in Prayagraj as a new district.

UP CM directs officials to adopt sensitive approach to resolve complaints

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday urged officials to adopt a sensitive approach in addressing public grievances, stressing that no injustice would be tolerated. Addressing people at a 'Janta Darshan' held at the Gorakhnath Temple, Adityanath reiterated the government's commitment to fairness and transparency in handling public issues, a statement issued here said. "No injustice will be tolerated. Every individual will get justice," he said while directing officials to ensure prompt and satisfactory resolutions to complaints. Adityanath said that the government stands firm in its resolve to address every grievance, the statement read. He directed officials to adopt a sensitive approach while resolving issues, according to the statement. The chief minister advised mediation for family disputes, suggesting legal action if reconciliation efforts fail, it said. He also ordered strict action against illegal land encroachments by influential individuals. Several p

Judicial panel members may reach Sambhal today to probe Nov 24 violence

Two members of a three-member judicial commission formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the November 24 violence in Sambhal reached Moradabad on Saturday, and are likely to visit the violence-hit town on Sunday, officials said. Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said, "Two members of the commission reached here on Saturday. The third member will join them on Sunday as they head to Sambhal." However, Singh did not identify the members who reached Moradabad on Saturday. Violence erupted in Sambhal on November 24 during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid there, killing four persons and injuring many others. The survey was linked to a petition claiming that a Harihar temple once stood at the site of the mosque. The commission formed via a notification on November 28 has been directed to complete its probe within two months. Any extension of this timeline will require government approval. The commission headed by retired Allahabad High Court

Sambhal DM asked me not to visit, says SP leader Mata Prasad Pandey

Earlier, SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav also launched an attack against the administration in the stone pelting incident in Sambhal and alleged that the administration had deliberately created unrest

Newly elected BJP, RLD MLAs in UP administered oath by Assembly Speaker

Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana on Friday administered the oath to the newly elected BJP and RLD MLAs. Voting for the by-elections in nine seats of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly was held on November 20 and the results were declared on November 23. In the by-elections, six MLAs of the BJP and one of its alliance partner Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) were elected. The Samajwadi Party stood victorious in two seats Karhal and Sisamau. On Friday, newly elected MLAs Ramveer Singh from Kundarki, Deepak Patel from Phulpur, Surendra Singh from Khair, Sanjeev Sharma from Ghaziabad, Dharmaraj Nishad from Katehari, Suchismita Maurya from Majhawan (all BJP) and Mithlesh Pal of the RLD from Meerapur took oath in the Assembly. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was present on the occasion, congratulated the winning candidates and called it a victory of the state's development and people's faith. Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Uttar Pradesh BJP

Mathura Shahi Idgah dispute: SC to hear plea of mosque committee on Dec 9

The Supreme Court on Friday said it will hear on December 9 a plea of the mosque committee against the Allahabad High Court rejecting its petition challenging the maintainability of 18 cases of the Hindu side related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said it will accord a detailed hearing on the plea at 2 pm on December 9. "This we will hear at length. We will take it up on December 9, at 2 pm... We have to decide what is the legal position," the CJI said. Speaking for the bench, the CJI said he prima facie felt that an intra-court appeal would lie against the single judge bench order of August 1 of the high court. "We will certainly give you an opportunity to argue," the bench said. On August 1, the high court rejected the plea of the Committee of Management, Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah challenging the maintainability of 18 cases related to the temple-mosque dispute in Mathura, and ruled

Namaz will be offered but in tight security: Samajwadi Party's ST Hassan

There is a rumour in entire Moradabad that namaz would not be offered in the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, rumours should be controlled, he added

Sambhal stone-pelting incident: 3-member judicial inquiry commission formed

Judicial Inquiry Commission to be headed by Justice Devendra Kumar Arora (Retired), Allahabad High Court and Retired IAS Amit Mohan Prasad and Retired IPS Arvind Kumar Jain

Sambhal violence: 7 FIRs registered, 27 people arrested, says official

Meanwhile, in a joint press conference, Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi informed that a complaint has been filed against as many as 800 people after the violence

Robotic fire tenders to be deployed at Mahakumbh 2025 to boost fire safety

For the first time, robotic fire tenders will be deployed at Mahakumbh 2025 to enhance fire safety at the world's largest spiritual gathering, according to officials. Alongside these cutting-edge machines, 200 specially trained fire commandos will be stationed to manage emergencies and protect visitors. Additional Director General (Fire Services) Padmaja Chauhan said that three robotic fire tenders, weighing 20-25 kilograms each, will be used to reach areas inaccessible to personnel. These robots are capable of climbing stairs and extinguishing fires with precision, ensuring faster and safer responses, he said. "The inclusion of robotic fire tenders marks a technological leap in fire management. They can be easily carried and deployed in sensitive zones," Chauhan said. Additionally, Mahakumbh will feature an articulating water tower capable of spraying water from a height of 35 meters. The tower is equipped with a high-tech camera to monitor fire-prone areas from above, he said.

CM Yogi urges citizens to uphold Constitution while Akhilesh slams BJP

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday urged citizens to uphold the ideals of the Constitution, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP for allegedly undermining constitutional values while making a show of celebrating Constitution Day. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution at the Central Hall of Parliament on November 26, 1949. It came into force on January 26, 1950. The day of its adoption is observed as 'Samvidhan Divas'. CM Adityanath extended his greetings to the people of the state on social media platform X, describing the Constitution as an all-inclusive, all-beneficial document. "Our all-inclusive, all-beneficial Constitution, which strengthens respect and faith in the great democratic values in the mind of every citizen, is a sacred expression of the highest ideals, civic duties and rights," he said in a post on X in Hindi. "Come, keeping in view the national interest and public interest, let us all take a pledge to follow t

No country can ever progress by ignoring youth power: UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said no country can ever progress by ignoring youth power. "No country can ever progress by ignoring youth power. We have to respect their sentiments and give them proper opportunity," said Adityanath addressing the 115th foundation day celebrations of Uday Pratap College here. "The country whose youth power is frustrated, guilt-ridden and confused can never progress. Whenever there is or will be a change, it will be the youth power that will bring it about. Institutions will have to prepare themselves by keeping youth power as the focal point," he added. The chief minister said that the foundation laid by Rajarshi Uday Pratap Singh Judev in 1909 at the holy place of Baba Vishwanath reflects his great personality. Adityanath said he (Judev) must have felt that for the creation of a future India filled with nationalism, such an educational and training institution has to be provided which can give momentum to the freedom movemen

SC should take cognisance of Sambhal issue, deliver justice: Congress

In the wake of violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday accused the Yogi Adityanath government of creating divisions while sitting in power and urged the Supreme Court to take cognisance of the matter and deliver justice. Three people were killed and scores of others, including security and administration personnel, injured as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal clashed with police on Sunday. In a post in Hindi on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The attitude of the state government regarding the sudden dispute in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is very unfortunate. The way the administration acted in haste in such a sensitive matter without listening to the other side, without taking both the parties into confidence, shows that the government itself spoiled the atmosphere there." The administration did not even consider it necessary to follow the necessary procedure and duty, the Congress general secretary ...

Fair probe to be carried into Sambhal violence: UP Dy CM Brajesh Pathak

Meanwhile, a petition has been filed with the National Human Rights Commission on behalf of DK Foundation of Freedom and Justice in connection with the violent protest in Sambhal, Moradabad

UP's Sambhal riots: 4 dead, internet suspended, here's what we know so far

The Sambhal violence broke out over a court-mandated survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid which stemmed from a petition filed by a lawyer claiming the existence of a Hindu temple