September 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Tag: politics

Trump Announces U.S.–Pakistan Oil Partnership Amid New India Tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new trade agreement with Pakistan, pledging that Washington and Islamabad will jointly develop what he described as Pakistan’s “massive oil reserves.” In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States is in the process of selecting an oil company to lead this partnership and speculated that Pakistan “maybe” could one day sell oil to India. Details about the size or location of these reserves remain unclear. Pakistan currently relies on Middle Eastern imports to meet its energy needs, though geological surveys have hinted at substantial offshore deposits. Islamabad has long sought foreign investment and technical expertise to explore and exploit these fields, but so far has made limited progress. Trump’s announcement came just hours after he unveiled a 25% tariff on all imports from India—plus an additional penalty on purchases of Russian military equipment and energy—effective August 1. Labeling India’s trade policies “most strenuous and obnoxious,” Trump reiterated his administration’s view that Delhi maintains “one of the highest tariffs in the world.” He added that the United States is still negotiating a bilateral trade deal with India, even as he described India’s membership in the BRICS grouping as “anti-U.S.” India’s government responded by noting that it has “taken note” of Trump’s statements and is studying their implications. A spokesperson emphasized that India and the U.S. have been engaged in talks to negotiate “a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement” and remain committed to reaching such a deal. Trump also mentioned that trade delegations from South Korea and other countries are in discussions with the White House, and he promised a full report on tariff negotiations “at the appropriate time.” With the August 1 deadline approaching, all eyes will be on whether the new Pakistan oil partnership and fresh India tariffs will reshape America’s broader trade strategy in South Asia.

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Editor03 mins

All Accused Acquitted in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case After 17-Year Trial

In a landmark judgment, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mumbai on Thursday acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. The court held that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient and credible evidence to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Special Judge AK Lahoti stated that the evidence presented by the prosecution was inconsistent and lacked coherence. “Terrorism has no religion, but conviction cannot be based on moral grounds,” the judge emphasized in the ruling. The case stemmed from a blast on September 29, 2008, in Malegaon, Maharashtra, where an improvised explosive device (IED) placed on a motorcycle exploded in a Muslim-majority locality during the holy month of Ramzan. The explosion killed six and injured over 100 people. The court ruled that the prosecution could not conclusively prove that the motorcycle used in the blast belonged to Sadhvi Pragya, as the vehicle’s chassis number was only partially recovered. Moreover, the court noted she had renounced material possessions after becoming a sanyasi two years before the incident. In Lt. Col. Purohit’s case, the court found no credible evidence to support the claim that he had sourced RDX from Kashmir or participated in bomb-making. Though there were financial transactions between Purohit and another accused, Ajay Rahirkar, the funds were used for personal expenses such as home construction and insurance policies, not terrorism-related activities. The court also rejected the prosecution’s theory of a conspiracy among the seven accused. While it acknowledged that six people had died in the blast, it accepted that only 95 were injured—discounting a few manipulated medical certificates submitted during the trial. The case was initially investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which arrested 12 individuals and alleged that the blast was orchestrated by the group Abhinav Bharat. In 2010, the investigation was handed over to the NIA, which filed a supplementary chargesheet in 2016 and suggested dropping MCOCA charges and certain accused due to lack of evidence. Despite this, the court in December 2017 ruled that seven accused—Thakur, Purohit, Ramesh Upadhyay, Sameer Kulkarni, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, and Sudhakar Dwivedi—would face trial under the IPC, UAPA, and Explosive Substances Act. The trial officially began in December 2018. Over the course of the trial, the prosecution examined 323 witnesses, though 34 turned hostile, and more than 30 witnesses died before they could testify. One of the accused, Sudhakar Dwivedi, even questioned whether a blast had occurred at all, prompting the court to examine over 100 victims and injured individuals. Final arguments concluded in April 2024, and the verdict was reserved for April 19. In its final ruling, the court also directed compensation for victims—₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the injured. Legal Representation: The judgment concludes a politically and socially sensitive case that had drawn nationwide attention for nearly two decades.

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Editor05 mins

India Stands Firm Amid U.S. Tariff Hike and Trade Pressure

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed 25% tariffs on imports from India along with an unspecified “penalty,” but India has remained largely unfazed by the move. While the U.S. has been actively securing trade deals with other nations like Japan—focused on expanding market access for American automobiles and agricultural products—India has taken a more cautious stance, especially when it comes to its domestic agricultural sector. India’s reluctance stems from its aim to protect local farmers, a significant electoral base. In its recent trade deal with the U.K., New Delhi successfully shielded sensitive agricultural sectors from tariff reductions. Likewise, India has shown no urgency to conclude a deal with the U.S., despite the recent tariff hikes. Carlos Casanova, senior economist at UBP, explained that India’s exports to the U.S. are not substantial enough to pressure New Delhi into quick compromises. In 2024, U.S. goods imports from India stood at $87.4 billion. Opening India’s agricultural sector to American firms—especially those dealing with genetically modified foods and dairy—remains a political and economic non-starter. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized in a CNBC interview that India is deeply committed to protecting its farmers and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). He also reiterated that India does not negotiate trade deals based on artificial deadlines but on national interest. Goyal expressed confidence that a balanced trade agreement could be reached by the October-November 2025 timeframe. Experts like Jayant Dasgupta, India’s former ambassador to the World Trade Organization, pointed out that India’s stance on agriculture is uncompromising. There is little room for concessions, particularly on genetically modified food products and dairy imports. Meanwhile, Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), acknowledged that higher U.S. tariffs would affect Indian exports but remained optimistic that a long-term agreement could eventually be reached. Strategically, India continues to be a valuable partner for the U.S. in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Analysts say Washington is unlikely to alienate New Delhi, especially as it seeks to counter China’s growing global influence. As part of the “China plus one” manufacturing strategy, India is seen as a viable alternative hub. The U.S. may retain control of high-end manufacturing, while India supports lower-cost production, creating a symbiotic economic relationship. According to Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank, shifting manufacturing to India can help the U.S. reduce dependency on China while maintaining global supply chain resilience. In doing so, India may enhance its strategic position, supporting U.S. interests while carefully navigating its own diplomatic and economic priorities.

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Editor04 mins

Shashi Tharoor Misses Parliament Protest Over Arrest of Two Nuns, Stirring Speculation Over His Rift with Congress Leadership

Kerala MPs, led by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in Parliament today against the arrest of two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. Notably absent from today’s demonstration was senior party leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who had joined his Kerala colleagues in a similar protest just yesterday. During yesterday’s rally in the Parliament complex, Tharoor held a placard reading “India for all, proud to be one” and told the media, “The nuns are innocent; they must be released. There should not be mob rule in the country. This is the government’s responsibility.” In contrast, today’s protest was led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who condemned the Chhattisgarh police for “manhandling” the nuns and accused the state government of targeting religious minorities. Tharoor’s absence has fueled talk of growing tensions between him and the Congress high command. The former diplomat, celebrated for his oratory skills, was conspicuously left off the party’s list of speakers during the recent Operation Sindoor debate—an omission seized upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Party insiders suggest that when approached to participate, Tharoor declined to “toe the party line,” insisting he would not contradict his own publicly stated views merely for the sake of party messaging. In recent months, Tharoor has drawn criticism from within the Congress for praising the BJP government’s swift response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He has repeatedly emphasized that his “first loyalty” is to the nation, not any political party, arguing that parties are simply “a means of making the nation better” in their own ways. His remarks reportedly clashed with the Congress leadership’s efforts to confront the government over allegations of intelligence failures and the sudden ceasefire called by U.S. President Donald Trump. Background on the Nuns’ ArrestLast week, two Kerala-based Catholic nuns traveling through Chhattisgarh’s Durg station were apprehended by local authorities after Bajrang Dal activists accused them of trafficking three minor tribal girls under the guise of offering jobs and education. They have since been charged under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (human trafficking) and under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act (forced conversion). The arrests have prompted outrage from opposition parties, Christian organizations, and even the BJP’s Kerala unit, with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and state BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar calling for the nuns’ immediate release and safe return.

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Editor04 mins

लोकसभा में ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ पर बहस: राहुल गांधी के हर सवाल का पीएम मोदी ने दिया करारा जवाब

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने मंगलवार शाम लोकसभा में ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ पर हुई बहस का जवाब देते हुए कांग्रेस और खासकर राहुल गांधी पर तीखे तंज कसे। उन्होंने विपक्ष के नेता द्वारा उठाए गए सभी मुद्दों पर बिंदुवार जवाब देते हुए सरकार की नीति और सैन्य कार्रवाई का मजबूती से बचाव किया। 🔹 “सेना को दी गई थी पूरी छूट” राहुल गांधी ने अपने 40 मिनट के भाषण में आरोप लगाया कि सरकार ने ऑपरेशन सिंदूर के दौरान सेना को “पीछे से हाथ बांधकर” भेजा और पाकिस्तान के सैन्य ठिकानों पर हमला करने की इजाज़त नहीं दी। इस पर प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने स्पष्ट किया, “हमारी सेना को पूरी छूट दी गई थी। हमने कहा था – कब, कहां, कैसे हमला करना है, यह आप तय करेंगे। हमने पाकिस्तान को कड़ा सबक सिखाया, और आज भी वे बेचैन हैं।” 🔹 “22 मिनट में ऑपरेशन रोकने का आरोप निराधार” राहुल गांधी ने सवाल उठाया कि ऑपरेशन सिंदूर शुरू होने के 22 मिनट के भीतर ही भारत ने सीज़फायर की मांग क्यों की। इस पर पीएम मोदी ने जवाब दिया, “ऑपरेशन सिंदूर के 22 मिनट में हमने 22 अप्रैल के हमले का बदला ले लिया। पाकिस्तान हिल गया और खुद डीजीएमओ को कॉल कर कहा – बस करो, बहुत मार खा ली। विपक्ष सिर्फ विरोध के लिए विरोध करता है और देश उनके इस रवैये पर हंस रहा है।” 🔹 “ट्रंप ने नहीं दिलाई थी सीज़फायर” राहुल गांधी ने यह भी कहा कि अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रंप ने 29 बार यह दावा किया कि उन्होंने भारत-पाकिस्तान के बीच सीज़फायर कराया। पीएम मोदी ने इस दावे को नकारते हुए कहा, “कोई भी वैश्विक नेता भारत को रोक नहीं सका। पाकिस्तान खुद घुटनों पर आ गया और शांति की गुहार लगाई।” 🔹 “लड़ाकू विमान खोने का आरोप – पाकिस्तान की भाषा बोल रही कांग्रेस” राहुल गांधी ने यह दावा भी किया कि भारत ने ऑपरेशन के दौरान पांच फाइटर जेट गंवाए और इसके लिए राजनैतिक नेतृत्व ज़िम्मेदार है, न कि वायुसेना। इस पर पीएम मोदी ने पलटवार किया, “कुछ लोग पाकिस्तान के नैरेटिव को आगे बढ़ा रहे हैं। जब हमारी सेना कहती है कि मिशन सफल रहा, तब कांग्रेस पाकिस्तान की बातों में भरोसा करती है।” 🔹 “पूरी दुनिया भारत के साथ, कांग्रेस छोड़कर” राहुल गांधी ने यह तर्क दिया कि दुनिया के किसी भी देश ने पाकिस्तान की निंदा नहीं की, सिर्फ आतंकवाद की निंदा की। प्रधानमंत्री ने इसे भी खारिज करते हुए कहा, “संयुक्त राष्ट्र के 193 देशों में से सिर्फ तीन देशों ने पाकिस्तान का समर्थन किया। बाकी सभी भारत के साथ थे। दुख की बात यह है कि भारत में ही कांग्रेस हमारे साथ नहीं थी।” 🔸 निष्कर्ष प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने विपक्ष पर आरोप लगाया कि वह देश की सेना और राजनीतिक इच्छाशक्ति को नीचा दिखाने का प्रयास कर रही है। उन्होंने कहा, “हमने जो किया, उसमें भारत की शक्ति और दृढ़ संकल्प झलकता है, और ये बात पाकिस्तान को अभी तक डराए हुए है।” लोकसभा में यह बहस भले राजनीतिक रूप से तीखी रही, लेकिन राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा और कूटनीति के स्तर पर यह साफ संकेत था कि सरकार ऑपरेशन सिंदूर को एक निर्णायक सैन्य कार्रवाई के रूप में प्रस्तुत कर रही है।

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Editor01 mins

Nationwide Outrage Over Arrest of Two Kerala Nuns on Human Trafficking and Conversion Charges

Widespread protests erupted across Kerala and New Delhi on Monday over the arrest of two Catholic nuns at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh, with both ruling and opposition political parties in Kerala denouncing the charges as false and communally motivated. Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preeta Mary, belonging to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), were arrested on July 25 on charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, and forced religious conversion. The arrests followed a confrontation at the station allegedly initiated by Bajrang Dal activists, who accused the nuns of attempting to convert three women — including an Adivasi minor — by taking them to Agra. Bipartisan Political Backlash in Kerala and Delhi In an unusual show of unity, Members of Parliament from both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) from Kerala staged a joint protest outside Parliament, calling the arrests “trumped-up” and a manifestation of rising anti-minority sentiment in BJP-ruled states. UDF MPs carried placards accusing the Bajrang Dal of staging a kangaroo court, and condemned the Chhattisgarh police for acting under political pressure by placing the nuns in judicial custody without proper investigation. Government Responses and Legal Status Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian stated that the matter is currently sub judice, but assured the media that BJP’s Kerala unit and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) are working toward securing an early resolution. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar is reportedly in talks with both central and state authorities. In Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas (LDF) moved an adjournment notice demanding an urgent debate on the “unjust” arrests and wrote directly to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, seeking the immediate release of the nuns. Statewide Reactions and Religious Concerns Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging intervention and justice for the detained nuns. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan visited the family of Sister Preeta Mary and criticized the arrests as “arbitrary and fascist,” warning that Christian clergy now fear openly expressing their faith in BJP-governed states. “There is a climate of fear. Many priests and nuns now refrain from wearing their habits in public. Even Christmas and Easter celebrations are held in secrecy,” Satheesan remarked, calling the BJP in Kerala “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Church Media and Clergy React Deepika, the official mouthpiece of the Syro-Malabar Church, published a sharp editorial criticizing the BJP’s duplicity — courting Christians in Kerala while allowing Sangh Parivar groups to harass them elsewhere. The editorial also claimed that incidents of violence against Christians have increased since 2014, when the BJP came to power. Yuhanon Mar Meletius, Metropolitan of the Orthodox Syrian Church, took a subtle jab on social media, suggesting that another “honouring” of church leaders by the Prime Minister in Delhi — a reference to the 2023 Easter Day meeting with Christian clergy — might be used as a tactic to mute dissent. Kerala Ministers Call Out Silence of Church Leadership Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty criticized the Church leadership for not openly condemning the arrests. “Mere prayers won’t fix the hostile environment minorities face. Church leaders must speak truth to power,” he said. Excise Minister M. B. Rajesh warned that any alliance with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is misguided. “The RSS views Muslims, Christians, and communists as internal enemies. Some must awaken to this reality before it’s too late,” he said. VHP Defends Arrests, Claims Underage Victim Involved In response to the backlash, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Kerala general secretary Anil Vilayil defended the arrests, alleging that the CBCI was concealing facts, and that the women accompanying the nuns included an underage tribal girl, a key point in the police case. As legal proceedings unfold, the case is expected to become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate around religious freedom, minority rights, and the role of law enforcement in communally sensitive situations.

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Editor07 mins

No U.S. Call, No Trade Threats: Jaishankar Rebuts Trump’s Ceasefire Claims in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, July 28, 2025 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday flatly denied U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that he forced a ceasefire in the recent India–Pakistan conflict by threatening to cut off trade. Speaking during a Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike against terrorist bases in Pakistan, Jaishankar stressed that neither trade nor a call from Prime Minister Modi to President Trump played any role in de-escalating the crisis. Jaishankar told MPs that no phone call took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump during the tense period after the April 22 Pahalgam attack. “At no stage in any conversation with the United States was there any linkage with trade,” he said. “And there was no call between the Prime Minister and President Trump from April 22—when President Trump called to offer sympathy—and June 17—when President Trump, in Canada, explained why he could not meet the Prime Minister.” The minister outlined how Operation Sindoor, launched the night of the Pahalgam attack, has established a new “normal” for India–Pakistan relations by making clear that cross-border terror will be met with “appropriate response” and that terrorists will no longer be treated as proxies. He summarized the policy in five points: Jaishankar also defended sending multi-party delegations abroad to present India’s case on cross-border terrorism and Operation Sindoor, even as Opposition members challenged the government over President Trump’s public claims. Home Minister Amit Shah urged the Opposition to trust India’s External Affairs Minister over foreign commentary: “Our minister has taken an oath of office and is making this statement here. They [the Opposition] do not trust him but believe another country’s claims.” President Trump first claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire via his social media platform TruthSocial on May 10—shortly before India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the truce. On July 22, Trump reiterated that he had threatened to halt U.S. trade with both nuclear-armed nations to force them to stand down. Prime Minister Modi praised Jaishankar’s address as “outstanding” on X, noting that the minister had made India’s position on terrorism and Operation Sindoor clearly heard around the world.

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Editor04 mins

Top Lashkar Terrorists Killed in Operation Mahadev; Shah Confirms Role in Pahalgam Attack

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament that three top terrorists from the Pakistan-based proscribed group Lashkar-e-Taiba were eliminated in Operation Mahadev, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The key mastermind was identified as Suleiman, while the other two were named Afghan and Jibran. Reports of their deaths surfaced after an intense encounter near Srinagar on Monday. However, their involvement in the Pahalgam attack was officially confirmed only on Tuesday. Shah revealed that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already arrested individuals who had sheltered the terrorists. “The arrested individuals were shown the bodies and identified them as the ones involved in the Pahalgam attack,” Shah said. To ensure foolproof confirmation, forensic tests were conducted on the bullet shells recovered from the Pahalgam attack site. The guns seized from the terrorists during Operation Mahadev were sent overnight to a lab in Chandigarh, where ballistic analysis confirmed that the ammunition matched the crime scene. “That confirmed their identities even further, and we were convinced,” Shah added. He stated that Operation Mahadev was launched the same night as the Pahalgam incident. The encounter on Monday began around 11 am, when a joint team of the Army, paramilitary forces, and police detected terrorist movement in the Mulnar area of Harwan, near Srinagar. Acting swiftly, the security forces engaged in a heavy exchange of fire in the Lidwas forested region, resulting in the elimination of all three terrorists. The success of Operation Mahadev is being seen as a major breakthrough in counter-terrorism efforts in the Kashmir Valley.

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Editor03 mins

कांग्रेस का प्रदर्शन जारी, सदन में उठाएगी रोज़ाना एक मुद्दा | मुख्यमंत्री ने ‘सदनीरा’ प्रदर्शनी का किया उद्घाटन

मॉनसून सत्र की शुरुआत के साथ ही कांग्रेस ने सरकार के खिलाफ मोर्चा खोल दिया है। कांग्रेस ने तय किया है कि वह विधानसभा परिसर में प्रतिदिन किसी न किसी मुद्दे को लेकर धरना देगी। बजट सत्र के दौरान भी पार्टी ने कई मुद्दों पर सरकार के खिलाफ प्रदर्शन किया था। कांग्रेस की रणनीति स्पष्ट है—वह सदन के बाहर प्रदर्शन करके सरकार पर दबाव बनाना चाहती है। हालांकि विधानसभा अध्यक्ष नरेंद्र सिंह तोमर ने परिसर में प्रदर्शन करने पर रोक लगा दी है, लेकिन इसका कांग्रेस पर कोई असर नहीं पड़ा है। एक कांग्रेस विधायक ने इसे अपनी सफलता बताया कि उनके विरोध के चलते ही अध्यक्ष को यह पाबंदी लगानी पड़ी। कांग्रेस ने सोमवार को जैसे ही मॉनसून सत्र शुरू हुआ, सरकार के खिलाफ प्रदर्शन कर दिया। ओबीसी आरक्षण के बाद अब पार्टी अलग-अलग मुद्दों पर प्रदर्शन करेगी। इनमें किसानों को खाद की समस्या, राज्य पर्यावरण प्रभाव मूल्यांकन प्राधिकरण (SEIAA) की दी गई मंज़ूरी, महिलाओं के खिलाफ अपराध, और भ्रष्टाचार जैसे विषय शामिल हैं। हालांकि असली चुनौती कांग्रेस के लिए यह है कि वह इन मुद्दों को प्रभावी ढंग से सदन में कैसे उठाती है। विपक्ष के नेता उमंग सिंघार ने सोशल मीडिया और प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस के माध्यम से सरकार पर कई आरोप लगाए हैं, लेकिन उनकी असली परीक्षा अब सदन में होगी। सरकार को बने लगभग 20 महीने हो चुके हैं, लेकिन कांग्रेस अब तक किसी भी मुद्दे पर सरकार को घेरने में विफल रही है। मुख्यमंत्री ने ‘सदनीरा’ प्रदर्शनी का उद्घाटन किया विधानसभा के सेंट्रल हॉल में सोमवार को मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. मोहन यादव ने ‘सदनीरा’ प्रदर्शनी का उद्घाटन किया, जो ‘जल गंगा संरक्षण अभियान’ की उपलब्धियों पर आधारित है। उन्होंने कहा कि यह प्रदर्शनी समाज को नदियों और जल स्रोतों के प्रति संवेदनशील बनाने का एक सांस्कृतिक प्रयास है। प्रदर्शनी में वीर भारत ट्रस्ट द्वारा राज्य की जल जैव विविधता, जल संरचनाओं की सैटेलाइट छवियां, राज्य के बावड़ियों, “अमृतस्य नर्मदा”, और जलीय जीवन की महत्ता को दर्शाया गया है। इस प्रदर्शनी में जनसंपर्क विभाग, विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी परिषद, पुरातत्व, अभिलेखागार और संग्रहालय निदेशालय, और बरकतउल्ला विश्वविद्यालय जैसे संस्थान सहभागी हैं।

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PM Modi Reasserts India’s No-Tolerance Stand on Terror Ahead of Operation Sindoor Debate in Parliament

A day before Parliament begins its high-voltage debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reaffirmed India’s firm resolve against terrorism, declaring that the precision strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan were a clear message — “there are no safe havens for terrorists and their masters.” Speaking at an event in Tamil Nadu’s Gangaikonda Cholapuram to honour Chola emperor Rajendra Chola, PM Modi said, “India places the highest priority on its national security. Operation Sindoor has created a new sense of awakening and self-confidence across the country.” The Prime Minister added that the world had witnessed India’s decisive response to threats against its sovereignty. His strong remarks appear to have set the tone for the government’s aggressive defence in the upcoming debate in both Houses of Parliament starting Monday. Fiery Debate Expected as Govt and Opposition Lock Horns With the Monsoon Session of Parliament having begun with disruptions, the two sides have now agreed to a marathon 16-hour debate in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The discussion will cover the Pahalgam attack — in which several tourists were killed — and India’s retaliatory operation. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to open the debate in the Lok Sabha after Question Hour. Sources indicate that Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will also weigh in. There are indications that PM Modi himself may intervene to underline his government’s “robust” stand on national security. On the Opposition side, Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha) and Mallikarjun Kharge (LoP in Rajya Sabha) are set to lead the charge, along with leaders such as Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav and others from the INDIA bloc. Opposition’s Strategy: Shift Focus from Sindoor to Security Lapses While the government plans to showcase Operation Sindoor as a decisive act of strength, the opposition — led by the Congress — is expected to turn the spotlight on what they claim is a pattern of national security failures under PM Modi’s leadership. The opposition is likely to raise a series of terror attacks — including Uri, Pulwama, and now Pahalgam — to argue that India has remained vulnerable to cross-border threats during the Modi years, despite repeated claims of “zero tolerance” for terror. The Congress is also likely to question why the Operation Sindoor mission was halted abruptly and why Parliament wasn’t consulted earlier. Trump Factor Enters Debate In a new twist, Congress has brought in former US President Donald Trump’s controversial claim that he stopped Operation Sindoor. On Sunday, party leader Jairam Ramesh posted on social media that “since May 10, Trump has claimed 26 times that he stopped Operation Sindoor by threatening to cut off trade with India, and claimed that five Indian fighter jets may have been shot down.” Ramesh pointed out that despite Congress’s demand for a special two-day session of Parliament following the operation’s sudden halt, no such session was called. “Nevertheless, better late than never,” he added. Religious Targeting in Pahalgam Attack In a sensitive and politically charged point, the Opposition may also highlight reports suggesting that the Pahalgam terrorists singled out tourists based on religion — a narrative they had previously avoided due to fears of polarization. This time, however, Congress and its allies are expected to bring it up in order to challenge the government’s handling of internal security. With strong rhetoric, high stakes, and deep political undercurrents, the debate on Operation Sindoor is expected to be among the most consequential of the session — with the government looking to reinforce its nationalist credentials and the opposition aiming to expose perceived lapses.

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