September 10, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: Politics

Post-Pahalgam Attack Fallout: Kashmiri Students Face Threats, Assaults Across India; J&K Students Association Issues SOS

In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is grappling not only with the loss of 26 innocent lives—25 tourists and one local resident—but also with a disturbing surge in hate-fueled reprisals targeting Kashmiri students in various parts of the country. The J&K Students Association has raised the alarm, alleging a wave of harassment, abuse, and physical assaults against Kashmiri youth studying in states like Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and the National Capital Region. 🔴 Key Allegations and Incidents: 📞 Emergency Response and Government Reaction: The J&K Students Association has set up dedicated helpline numbers and a rapid response team to coordinate with state authorities for intervention. “This is the seventh incident since the Pahalgam attack. Kashmiri students are being intimidated, assaulted, and forcibly removed. They feel isolated and insecure,” said Nasir Khuehami, National Convenor of the Association. “We are in constant touch with distressed students, and some are literally fleeing campuses to save their lives,” added Ummar Jamal, the Association’s National President. 🗣️ Political Response: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grave concern, saying the J&K government is actively liaising with states where incidents have occurred. “I’m also in touch with my counterparts in these states and have requested them to ensure protection and care for Kashmiri students,” Abdullah said. This unfolding crisis highlights a dangerous spillover of anger from a terrorist act to innocent students, risking a deeper communal divide and human rights violations.

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Editor04 mins

Lokayukta Nabs Two Government Officials in Separate Bribery Cases in Madhya Pradesh

In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Lokayukta police on Tuesday caught two government officials red-handed while accepting bribes in separate incidents in Harda and Gwalior districts of Madhya Pradesh. In the first case, Atmaram Sanwre, the Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) of Khidkiya in Harda district, was arrested for accepting a bribe of ₹5,000. According to DG Lokayukta Yogesh Deeshmukh, the complainant Bhagwandas Sen had applied for house construction permission. However, Sanwre allegedly demanded a bribe to approve the house map and grant the required permissions. After SP DK Rathore verified the complaint, a trap team led by Inspector GS Marskole was constituted. The team successfully laid the trap at the CMO’s office, where Sanwre was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount. In a separate incident in Gwalior district, Dilip Nagar, a Revenue Inspector (RI) posted in Ghatigaon, was caught accepting a bribe of ₹30,000. The complainant Praveen Singh had purchased 42 bighas of land and had filed an application for its demarcation with the tehsildar’s office. Despite four official orders from the tehsildar, the RI allegedly delayed the process, demanding a bribe of ₹50,000, later negotiating it down to ₹35,000. Following a complaint to the Lokayukta police, a trap team led by Inspector Kavindra Singh Chauhan was formed. The RI had already received an advance of ₹5,000. On Tuesday, as soon as the remaining ₹30,000 was handed over at Nagar’s residence, the trap team arrested him on the spot. Both officials are facing legal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act. These back-to-back actions highlight the Lokayukta’s ongoing efforts to curb corruption and bring transparency in administrative processes.

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Editor03 mins

Mehbooba Mufti Voices Concern Over Erosion of Institutions, Supports Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks

On Democratic Institutions & Election Commission: “What Rahul Gandhi said… needs to be investigated,” Mufti said, adding that the credibility of even the Supreme Court was being attacked. ⚖️ On Judiciary Under Fire: 🪖 On Army FIR in J&K (Rajouri Incident): 🕌 On Muslim Community & Rising Communalism: “The condition of Muslims is deteriorating. Secularism has kept us going for 77 years, but now that is under threat.”

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Editor02 mins

India, US Move Closer to Trade Deal Amid Tariff Pause; Modi Hosts VP JD Vance in Delhi

India and the United States signaled significant progress in finalizing a bilateral trade agreement after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US Vice-President JD Vance in New Delhi on Monday night. The meeting, part of Vance’s ongoing four-day visit to India with his family, also saw discussions on deepening ties across sectors such as defence, energy, and strategic technology. “We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi posted on X, following their meeting. He also hosted a private dinner for Vance, his wife, and their three children at his official residence. The trade talks take place against the backdrop of a temporary 90-day pause on increased US tariffs, announced by President Donald Trump. India, which was facing proposed tariffs as high as 27% on its exports to the US, has used the window to engage in accelerated negotiations. The tariff reprieve ends on July 9, prompting urgency in finalizing a deal. While Modi and Trump have maintained a friendly personal rapport—Modi was one of the first foreign leaders to visit Trump after the start of his second term—the US president has not held back in criticizing India’s trade policies, branding the country a “tariff king” and accusing it of unfair trade practices. In a statement after Monday’s talks, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer reiterated longstanding US concerns, pointing to the “serious lack of reciprocity” in its trade relationship with India. Washington is particularly pushing for greater access to India’s protected agricultural sector, including the sale of American corn—something Indian officials are reluctant to concede due to domestic sensitivities. India has already lowered tariffs on a range of goods and is reportedly considering more reductions to advance negotiations. However, agriculture and digital trade remain key sticking points in the discussions. Beyond trade, Modi and Vance discussed broader strategic collaboration, including defence, energy security, and emerging technologies. The Indian prime minister also expressed anticipation for President Trump’s upcoming visit to India later this year, likely during the Quad summit that Delhi is set to host. The bilateral meeting concluded with delegation-level discussions and the dinner hosted by Modi, underscoring the warmth between the two countries even as complex trade issues remain under negotiation.

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Editor04 mins

Delhi High Court Slams Baba Ramdev for Communal Remarks Against Hamdard, Rooh Afza

The Delhi High Court came down heavily on Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev on Tuesday for making communal remarks targeting Hamdard Laboratories and its iconic beverage, Rooh Afza. During a preliminary hearing in the case Hamdard National Foundation India v. Patanjali Foods Limited & Anr, Justice Amit Bansal expressed shock at the comments, warning that a strong judicial order may follow. “It shocks the conscience of the court. Indefensible,” Justice Bansal remarked, directing Ramdev’s legal counsel to seek instructions and ensure his presence in court. The controversy stems from a video circulated on April 3, in which Ramdev, while promoting Patanjali’s “Gulab Sharbat,” made derogatory remarks about Rooh Afza. In the video, he alleged that Hamdard was channeling profits into building masjids and madrasas, and used the provocative term “sharbat jihad.” Congress leader Digvijaya Singh subsequently filed a police complaint against Ramdev in Bhopal, accusing him of inciting communal hatred. Despite the backlash, Ramdev claimed he had not mentioned any specific brand by name. Representing Hamdard in court, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that Ramdev’s actions went far beyond product disparagement and constituted hate speech. “This is shocking. It’s about creating a communal divide. The law of defamation cannot protect such conduct,” he stated. Rohatgi urged the court to take immediate action, stressing that such content “should not be allowed even for a moment” given the volatile social climate in the country. He also informed the court that Ramdev had similarly targeted the company Himalaya, allegedly because it is also Muslim-owned. Highlighting Ramdev’s prior controversies—including a Supreme Court censure over his comments on allopathy—Rohatgi added, “A hard hand is required to nip this in the bud.” The legal team for Hamdard included Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sandeep Sethi, supported by a team of advocates including Pravin Anand, Dhruv Anand, Nikhil Rohatgi, Udita Patro, and others. The case is expected to continue with heightened scrutiny, as the court considers whether Ramdev’s remarks amount to actionable hate speech.

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Editor03 mins

Maharashtra Govt Defends Move to Make Hindi Mandatory as Third Language in State Schools Under NEP 2020

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday addressed growing criticism over the state’s decision to make Hindi a compulsory third language in state board schools from Class 1 onward, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Key Highlights of the Decision: CM Fadnavis’ Statement: Fadnavis clarified that Marathi remains compulsory and non-negotiable, asserting: “Marathi language is compulsory in Maharashtra; everyone should learn it. Additionally, if you wish to learn other languages, you can do so. Opposition to Hindi and promotion of English is surprising. If someone opposes Marathi, then it will not be tolerated.” He stressed that the policy allows linguistic expansion, not replacement, and that students benefit from early exposure to multiple languages. Opposition’s Reaction: Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar strongly opposed the imposition of Hindi, saying: “You can keep it optional, but you cannot impose it. At whose behest are you trying to impose this language on the state?… This third language that is being introduced should not be brought in. There should be no coercion against the rights of the Marathi people.” Wadettiwar implied that the decision might be politically motivated and urged for a voluntary model, rather than a mandate. SCERT Clarifies Educational Intent: Rahul Ashok Rekhawar, Director of SCERT Maharashtra, explained that: “The decision was taken solely with educational development in mind. Students will benefit from the addition of Hindi, and it is not a political or cultural imposition.” He emphasized that the move aims to broaden students’ language skills, improve national integration, and prepare them better for central competitive exams and interstate mobility. The development has ignited a language politics debate in Maharashtra, where linguistic identity remains a sensitive topic. As the government pushes for NEP 2020 implementation, further discussions with stakeholders may unfold in the coming days.

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Editor03 mins

Omar Abdullah Slams Delhi Airport After Flight Diverted to Jaipur, Reaches Capital at 3 AM

A Jammu-to-Delhi IndiGo flight carrying Jammu & Kashmir’s former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was unexpectedly diverted to Jaipur late Saturday night, leading to passenger distress and strong remarks from the political leader. Abdullah took to social media platform X to express frustration over the ordeal, calling Delhi airport a “bloody shit show” and stating he was “in no mood to be polite.” Three Hours in Air, Diverted to Jaipur According to Abdullah, the flight took off from Jammu and remained airborne for nearly three hours before being diverted to Jaipur, where passengers were left aboard the aircraft past midnight. He posted a selfie from the aircraft’s steps around 1 AM, saying he was trying to get some “fresh air” as they awaited further instructions. “Delhi airport is a bloody shit show [excuse my French but I’m in no mood to be polite]. 3 hours in the air after we left Jammu we get diverted to Jaipur & so here I am at 1 in the morning on the steps of the plane getting some fresh air. I’ve no idea what time we will leave from here,” Abdullah wrote on X. Flight Reaches Delhi at 3 AM Later, the National Conference leader confirmed that the flight finally landed in Delhi just after 3 AM. IndiGo had not issued an official statement regarding the delay and diversion at the time of this report. Delhi Airport Facing Operational Changes The disruption comes amid ongoing operational changes at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Terminal 2 (T2) has been shut temporarily for maintenance work, with flights from IndiGo and Akasa moved to Terminal 3 and the newly upgraded Terminal 1. This shift has led to additional passenger traffic and congestion at other terminals. Bad Weather Adds to Aviation Woes The diversion was also compounded by poor weather conditions in Srinagar on Saturday, which disrupted flight schedules across the region. Earlier in the day, passengers at Jammu airport had reported long delays and multiple cancellations. IndiGo issued a travel advisory citing “unfavourable weather” in Srinagar and assured that its teams were actively monitoring the situation. “Weather conditions in Srinagar are impacting flight operations… If your flight is impacted, you can explore flexible rebooking options or claim a refund,” the advisory said. The sequence of delays, diversions, and lack of timely communication has added to growing passenger concerns, especially as travel volumes increase across the country.

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Editor04 mins

Opposition Slams BJP MPs for Targeting Supreme Court; BJP Distances Itself from Remarks

The recent remarks by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma criticizing the Supreme Court have triggered strong backlash from the Opposition, with several leaders accusing the ruling party of attempting to undermine judicial independence. AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take immediate steps to stop party members from threatening the judiciary. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also weighed in, alleging that the Centre is actively working to weaken the authority of the Supreme Court. Responding to the growing controversy, the BJP officially distanced itself from the statements made by its own MPs. A party spokesperson clarified that the comments were “personal statements” and stressed that the BJP “completely rejects” such views. The controversy erupted weeks after the Supreme Court passed a landmark verdict that imposed a three-month deadline for the President and state Governors to grant assent to Bills passed by the legislature for the second time — a move seen as strengthening legislative accountability. Nishikant Dubey’s Contentious Remarks Speaking to ANI, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey expressed deep displeasure with the apex court’s growing involvement in governance. “If one has to go to the Supreme Court for everything, then Parliament and State Assemblies should be shut down,” Dubey said. He accused the judiciary of functioning with bias, saying, “Show me the face, and I will show you the law.” Dubey also took issue with the court’s past decision to decriminalize homosexuality under Section 377 of the IPC, claiming that all major religions consider homosexuality a crime. He criticized the court for allegedly disregarding religious sentiments and claimed the judiciary is stoking religious tensions by its inconsistent approach to temple-mosque disputes like Ram Mandir, Krishna Janmabhoomi, and Gyanvapi. He further questioned the court’s authority to set timelines for the President and Governors, asserting, “You will dictate Parliament? The President appoints the Chief Justice, not the other way around.” Dinesh Sharma Echoes Sentiment Adding to the controversy, BJP leader Dinesh Sharma said that the President of India is “supreme” and that no one, including the judiciary, can direct Parliament. “When Dr. Ambedkar wrote the Constitution, the roles of the Legislature and Judiciary were clearly demarcated. The President has already given assent — no one can challenge her,” Sharma said. As the storm around these remarks intensifies, the issue has turned into a flashpoint over the separation of powers and the role of the judiciary in India’s constitutional democracy.

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Editor04 mins

Putin Meets Freed Russian Hostages, Credits Russia’s Relations with Palestinians for Their Release

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Russian nationals who were recently freed after being held hostage by the militant group Hamas during the October 2023 attacks on Israel. Putin attributed their release to Moscow’s long-standing and stable ties with Palestinian groups, including Hamas. During the meeting at the Kremlin, Putin expressed gratitude to Hamas for their role in facilitating the release, calling it a humanitarian gesture. “The fact that you are now free is a result of Russia’s many years of stable relations with the Palestinian people,” Putin said, referring to former hostage Alexander Trufanov and his family members. Trufanov, who was freed after nearly 500 days in captivity as part of ceasefire negotiations, thanked Putin for his efforts in securing his release. He also voiced hope for the freedom of all remaining hostages, whom he described as “like brothers.” Trufanov’s father was killed in the attacks, but his mother, fiancée, and grandmother were among those released in late 2023. Putin reassured the hostages and their families that Russia would continue to work to ensure the release of other captives. Russia has maintained a policy of fostering positive relations with both Israel and Palestinian factions, advocating for a two-state solution as the foundation for peace in the Middle East.

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Editor02 mins

CBI, ED Raids Target AAP Leaders Amid Rising Political Tensions

In a development steeped in political controversy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted a raid at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Durgesh Pathak, sparking a fresh war of words between AAP and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP leaders have denounced the move as a “politically motivated” attempt to stifle the party’s growing influence. The raid, reportedly linked to an alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), came just days after Durgesh Pathak was appointed as co-incharge for the Gujarat Assembly Elections 2027. Reacting swiftly, AAP’s national general secretary Sandeep Pathak posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The CBI’s raid on @AamAadmiParty leader Durgesh Pathak’s residence… sends a loud message that BJP clearly views AAP as a growing threat in Gujarat and is rattled by its rising influence.” Joining the chorus, AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the Modi government of using central agencies as tools of political vendetta. “BJP’s dirty game starts again… As soon as @ipathak25 was made co-incharge of Gujarat, CBI was sent to threaten him,” Singh wrote on X. The controversy is compounded by another enforcement action earlier this week when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the Mohali residence of AAP MLA Kulwant Singh, as part of a money laundering investigation tied to the massive ₹48,000 crore Pearl Agrotech Corporation Limited (PACL) scam. The ED team, reportedly from Delhi, searched Singh’s premises in the Janta Land Promoters Limited (JLPL) area, which is linked to his real estate business. Although Singh was not present, his family members were questioned. Sources say the raid is connected to the larger PACL Ponzi scheme, which allegedly defrauded thousands of investors under the pretext of real estate projects. Funds collected through the scam were reportedly funneled into shell companies across India. Adding further complexity, Kulwant Singh had previously been questioned by the ED in another money laundering case involving drug trafficking. These back-to-back raids on AAP leaders—at a time when the party is expanding its political footprint beyond Delhi and Punjab—have led to renewed allegations of misuse of central agencies to suppress political opponents. As the Gujarat 2027 battle heats up, the confrontation between AAP and BJP is poised to intensify, with each side accusing the other of foul play.

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