Archives for February 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut

New Delhi (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday triggered an uproar in the Rajya Sabha by claiming that “2,000 people died” in the January 29 Maha Kumbh stampede, prompting Deputy Chairman Harivansh to ask him to authenticate the figure.

During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Raut questioned the official death toll of 30 in the stampede.

“When the stampede happened 4-5 days back, it was told (that) it was not stampede but a rumour…30 people died. Whether the figure is true? Don’t hide it… We are responsible even if one person died…The figures that we have seen with our eyes is 2,000 people were dead,” he said.

The Shiv Sena leader blamed “poor management” for the tragedy, terming the Kumbh a “political event for political marketing”.

He said that in other countries, such an incident would have led to demands for the resignation of the prime minister and chief minister.

As treasury bench members protested, the Deputy Chairman told Raut, “If you mention any figure, you have to substantiate”.

The MP agreed to authenticate the figure by evening.

Raut’s remarks came a day after Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge referred to “thousands” of deaths in the stampede, leading to protests in the Upper House. The chairman had asked Kharge to retract his statement.

During his speech, Raut also alleged that “all pillars of democracy have been destroyed”, and the government was preoccupied with elections.

“Unless from the Prime Minister to central ministries do not come out of the whirlpool of elections, the country will not progress,” he noted.

BJP member Anil Sukhdeorao Bonde hit back at the Opposition, questioning why similar concerns were not raised about casualties in Ajmer.

The debate also saw Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam raising development issues in Chhattisgarh, while TMC’s Prakash Chik Baraik sought recognition of ‘sarna dharma code’ for tribals in the census.

Nagapattinam: IAS officer Dr J Radhakrishnan, who played a key role in rescue and rehabilitation efforts during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, officiated the wedding of Meena, the youngest survivor he had helped.

Meena was found as a child near the debris in Keechankuppam after the tsunami devastated Nagapattinam, claiming over 6,000 lives. She was placed in Annai Sathya Government Children’s Home, where Radhakrishnan and his wife, Krithika, continued to support her. Over the years, he remained a guiding figure in her life, helping her become a nurse.

When Meena decided to get married, Radhakrishnan travelled to Nagapattinam to be part of the ceremony. Several survivors who had lived and studied with her at the children’s home attended the wedding as her family.

Sharing the moment on Instagram, Radhakrishnan described it as a “heartwarming reunion” and expressed joy at seeing the children he had supported grow, study, and start their own families. The post received widespread appreciation, with social media users lauding his dedication and long-standing support.

Mahakumbh Nagar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh.

Holding ‘rudraksha’ beads and chanting mantras, the prime minister offered prayers while standing in the river.

Modi took a boat ride with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to reach Triveni Sangam — the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Maha Kumbh 2025, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13), is the world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. It will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26.

The Maha Kumbh, being held after 12 years, has so far drawn over 38 crore pilgrims from across India and the world, according to the Uttar Pradesh government, which is hosting the mega fair.

Pune: Renowned singer Sonu Nigam recently faced a severe back pain episode during a live performance in Pune. Despite the intense discomfort, Nigam continued to perform, showcasing his dedication to his audience.

In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Sonu opened up about the painful experience, saying, “It was one of the most difficult days of my life, but also very satisfying. I was singing and moving when the pain began, but I managed to control it. I never want to fall short of people’s expectations, and I’m glad everything went well.”

He described the pain as being “like a needle stuck in my spine,” adding, “it felt like it would pierce deeper if I moved even slightly.” He thanked Goddess Saraswati for her support during the performance, captioning his post, “Last night, Goddess Saraswati held my hand.”

Fans quickly flooded the comments with well-wishes for his recovery, with many expressing their admiration for his resilience. One fan commented, “You’re an inspiration, and we’re all praying for your health,” while another wrote, “Please take care, Sonu. You are a precious gift to us.”

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a PIL for specific guidelines to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh, where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede at Sangam area in Prayagraj.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar noted the submission of the Uttar Pradesh government that a plea was already filed in the Allahabad High Court on the issue and the present petition should be not examined in the apex court.

Terming it “an unfortunate incident”, the top court asked the petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari to move the Allahabad High Court.

“This is an unfortunate incident. But, you go to the Allahabad High Court,” the bench told Tiwari.

The top court noted the submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the UP government, that a judicial inquiry was initiated.

The PIL was filed in the top court on January 30, a day after the incident in the stampede in Prayagraj.

The incident took place on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.

The petition, filed a day later under Article 32 of the Constitution by Tiwari, sought guidelines to prevent stampede incidents and protect the fundamental rights of equality and life under Article 21.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging certain provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act and alleging misuse of women-centric laws.

“You can go and raise all these grounds in Parliament,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran told the counsel appearing for the petitioner.

The petitioner’s counsel said they were seeking to challenge certain provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, including sections 2 and 3.

While section 2 of the Act deals with definition of dowry, section 3 pertains to penalty for giving or taking dowry.

The counsel said the petitioner was concerned about these laws which adversely impacts men.

The public interest litigation (PIL) names laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, and the provision on cruelty to women in the erstwhile Indian Penal Code to question their validity.

The plea filed by petitioner Rupshi Singh highlighted the alleged malice in law, the unreasonableness contained in the impugned provisions and the lack of semblance of law in the provisions.

The petitioner was seeking protection of men against the atrocities committed by women filing false complaints, abusing the very laws that were meant to protect them from harm.

The PIL submitted that the Dowry Prohibition Act was discriminatory on the grounds of religion and further assailed the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 as being women-centric and discriminatory against men.