Telugu Actors Booked for Promoting Online Betting Apps

Several top actors from the Telugu film industry, including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha, Nidhi Agarwal, and Ananya Nagella, have been named in an FIR for allegedly promoting illegal online betting apps. The case also includes several social media influencers who allegedly lured users into investing in these platforms. Crackdown on Online Betting in Telangana Online betting has been illegal in Telangana since 2017 under an amended law aimed at preventing financial exploitation linked to gambling. Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty confirmed that authorities are investigating how these apps function and the level of celebrity involvement. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also expected to file an enforcement case information report (ECIR) and summon those implicated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The crackdown follows a complaint by activist PM Phanindra Sarma, who alleged that betting apps use aggressive advertising tactics, leveraging celebrity endorsements to attract users. Actors Respond to Allegations Rana Daggubati responded to the FIR, stating that his contract with a gaming company ended in 2017 and that his endorsements were restricted to regions where skill-based gaming was legally permitted. His legal team emphasized that all collaborations undergo strict legal scrutiny, adding, “It is essential to highlight that the Supreme Court has recognized skill-based online games as distinct from gambling.” Similarly, Prakash Raj denied any wrongdoing, saying police had not contacted him but that he was “ready to cooperate.” He clarified that he partnered with a gaming company in 2016 but withdrew in 2017 upon realizing its operations. When a new company reused his commercial in 2021, he issued legal notices against them. Vijay Deverakonda’s team also defended him, stating that he endorsed a skill-based gaming app only in regions where it was legally permitted. Ongoing Investigation With the police and ED set to deepen their probe, more celebrities and influencers could come under scrutiny. Authorities are expected to examine financial transactions and promotional deals linked to the betting apps, potentially widening the scope of the case. 4o

Karnataka Minister Claims 48 MLAs Targeted in Honey Trap Cases Over 20 Years

Karnataka Minister KN Rajanna, at the center of a failed honey trap attempt, revealed today that not just he but 48 MLAs have been targeted in similar cases over the past two decades. The shocking disclosure has sparked a political storm, with opposition BJP demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. High-Level Investigation Ordered PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi confirmed that Rajanna was targeted twice, and a high-level probe will be initiated by the state home ministry. Speaking at the legislative assembly, Rajanna stated, “There is talk that a minister from Tumkuru has been a victim of a honey trap. There are only two of us from Tumkuru, one is me and the other is the Home Minister.” Acknowledging the gravity of the issue, Rajanna urged for a thorough investigation, adding that he was ready to file a complaint himself. He further emphasized that members from all parties—Congress, BJP, and JD(S)—have fallen victim to such traps over the years. ‘Honey Traps Have Been Happening for 20 Years’ Jarkiholi stressed that honey-trapping is not a new phenomenon in Karnataka politics and has been occurring for the last two decades. He warned against political parties exploiting such cases for political gains and insisted that the practice must stop. “Every party—Congress, BJP, and JD(S)—has been a victim. This has to end,” he said. He also revealed that he had spoken to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara, demanding an investigation into the recent case. However, he insisted that the victim must come forward and file a complaint for any probe to proceed. BJP Slams Congress, Demands CBI Probe Jarkiholi’s statement has given the BJP fresh ammunition to target the Congress government. Senior BJP leader CT Ravi said, “Satish Jarkiholi is a senior leader. If he has made such a statement, then it must be true.” He demanded a thorough investigation to identify the masterminds behind the honey-trap operations. Former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar, who initially raised the issue in the assembly, accused the Congress of running a “honey-trap factory.” He called for an immediate investigation by the state home department. With the Karnataka government ordering a high-level probe and political parties trading barbs, the honey trap scandal has become a major flashpoint in the state’s political landscape.

Amit Shah Reaffirms ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy as 22 Naxalites Killed in Chhattisgarh

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism, following the killing of 22 Naxalites in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh. He emphasized that security forces are making significant strides towards a Naxal Mukt Bharat (Naxal-Free India) and reaffirmed that the government will not tolerate insurgency. Major Security Operation in Bijapur and Kanker The large-scale anti-Naxal operation was conducted by a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) in two districts of Chhattisgarh—Bijapur and Kanker. According to security officials, 18 Naxalites were eliminated in Bijapur, while four were neutralized in Kanker. The Bijapur encounter took place in the early hours near the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts. Security forces launched an offensive in the Gangaloor police station area, leading to an intense gunfight. Following the operation, authorities recovered 18 bodies along with firearms and explosives. Unfortunately, a DRG jawan lost his life in the encounter. Meanwhile, in Kanker, four Maoists were eliminated near Koroskodo village in the Chhotebethiya police station area. The operation, carried out along the Kanker-Narayanpur border, is still ongoing, with security forces recovering automatic weapons from the site. Officials have reported intermittent gunfire as personnel continue combing operations in the region. Government’s Firm Stand Against Naxalism Amit Shah emphasized that the Modi government is taking a “ruthless approach” against Naxal insurgents who refuse to surrender despite being given opportunities for reintegration. He further stated that India will be completely free of Naxalism before March 31, 2026. Recent Counter-Insurgency Successes The recent encounter follows a series of counter-insurgency measures in the region. Just last week, 17 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur district, and in February, security forces arrested 18 Maoists while recovering explosives in three separate operations. These actions reflect the government’s intensified crackdown on left-wing extremism. Chhattisgarh CM Praises Security Forces Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the security forces for their successful operation. He expressed confidence in the Union Home Minister’s resolve to eliminate Naxalism, stating, “After two separate operations, bodies of 22 Naxalites have been found in Kanker and Bijapur. We appreciate the efforts of our security forces. The Union Home Minister has vowed to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026, and we are confident that his commitment will be fulfilled.” With the government’s aggressive counter-insurgency measures and increasing pressure on Maoist groups, the fight against Naxalism is intensifying, bringing India closer to achieving a Naxal Mukt Bharat.

Samay Raina cancels India tour after third summon from Maharashtra Cyber Cell

Samay Raina has decided to cancel all his upcoming shows in India following the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent. The comedian, who had planned performances across multiple cities, announced the rescheduling of his tour and assured fans that refunds would be processed soon. Cancellation of Shows Amid Controversy Samay was originally scheduled to perform in Delhi on March 21 and 23 at Talkatora Stadium, along with shows in Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata between March and April. However, due to threats from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the ongoing backlash, all his shows have now been called off. Samay had been performing in Canada when the controversy erupted, even addressing the situation in a humorous manner during one of his shows. The India’s Got Latent Controversy The controversy began after YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia (BeerBiceps) made an inappropriate remark towards a contestant on India’s Got Latent. His question, which involved a highly inappropriate hypothetical scenario, was met with strong criticism from fellow panellists, including Apoorva Makhija and Ashish Chanchlani. Despite issuing an apology, Ranveer faced severe backlash, leading to multiple FIRs against him and others associated with the show. Legal Summons and Video Deletion Samay Raina had requested time until March 17 to appear before authorities and provide his statement. However, after failing to comply with an earlier summons on March 19, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell has now issued a third notice requiring his presence on March 24. Amidst growing pressure, Samay has deleted all India’s Got Latent videos from his YouTube channel. In a statement, he expressed that the situation had become overwhelming: “Everything that is happening has been too much for me to handle. I have removed all ‘India’s Got Latent’ videos from my channel. My only objective was to make people laugh and have a good time. I will fully cooperate with all agencies to ensure their inquiries are concluded fairly. Thank you.” With his India tour postponed indefinitely, it remains to be seen how Samay navigates this challenging period in his career.

Elon Musk’s X Sues Indian Government Over Content Censorship

X Challenges IT Act’s Interpretation in Karnataka High Court Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government in the Karnataka High Court, alleging unlawful content regulation and arbitrary censorship. The case challenges the government’s interpretation of the Information Technology (IT) Act, particularly the use of Section 79(3)(b), which X argues undermines free expression and contradicts Supreme Court rulings. Allegations Against the Government’s Content-Blocking Mechanism According to X, the Indian government is misusing Section 79(3)(b) to create a parallel content-blocking system, bypassing the structured legal process outlined in Section 69A of the IT Act. While Section 69A allows the government to order content removal on grounds of national security, public order, or sovereignty concerns, X claims that Section 79(3)(b) is vague and forces platforms to determine what content is illegal, increasing their exposure to lawsuits and accusations of bias. Social media platforms often rely on Section 69A for legal clarity, arguing that content should only be removed if the government explicitly orders it. By using Section 79(3)(b), the government allegedly shifts the burden onto platforms, leading to over-censorship. Violation of Supreme Court’s Shreya Singhal Ruling X further contends that the government’s approach contradicts the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 ruling in the Shreya Singhal case. This ruling established that content could only be blocked through proper judicial scrutiny or the legally defined process under Section 69A. X claims that using Section 79(3)(b) sidesteps these safeguards, creating legal uncertainty for social media platforms. Concerns Over the Sahyog Portal The lawsuit also challenges the government’s Sahyog portal, an initiative under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) designed to handle takedown requests under Section 79(3)(b). X alleges that the portal functions as a “censorship tool” that pressures platforms to remove content without proper legal scrutiny. The company has refused to assign an employee to the system, arguing that it enables government control over online discourse without judicial oversight. With this legal battle, X seeks judicial intervention to ensure content moderation decisions are based on clear legal directives rather than government pressure, reaffirming its stance on protecting free speech.

Rahul Gandhi Joins Congress Protest Against Farmer Evictions at Parliament

Congress Slams BJP and AAP for Crackdown on Farmers Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, joined Congress MPs from Punjab in protesting within the Parliament complex against the forcible eviction of farmers from protest sites at Sambhu and Khanauri on the Punjab border. The protest was in response to the police crackdown on farmers who had been demonstrating at these sites for over a year. Congress president and LoP in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, attacked both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), calling them “anti-farmer” forces that had united against the agricultural community. Kharge Condemns Detention of Farmer Leaders In a post on social media platform X, Kharge accused the Punjab government of initially inviting farmers for talks and then forcibly removing them from their protest sites. He strongly condemned the detention of senior farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher by the Punjab Police, asserting that the ruling parties were blinded by their arrogance. “The country has not forgotten – Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, when farmers were fired upon during BJP rule. How the son of a minister of the Modi government crushed the farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri. How a farmer from Rajasthan hanged himself in Kejriwal’s rally in 2015 and he remained a silent spectator,” Kharge said. Congress MPs Stage Demonstration at Parliament Outside the Parliament’s Makar Dwar, Congress MPs from Punjab, including Sukhjinder Randhawa, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Gurjit Aujla, and Dharamvir Gandhi, led a demonstration condemning both the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led Central government for their handling of the farmer protests. The Congress leaders held placards demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, a key demand of the protesting farmers. They accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of siding with the BJP against the farmers. Rahul Gandhi briefly joined the protest to express solidarity with the farmers and his fellow MPs, reaffirming the party’s commitment to the farmers’ cause.

Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs on India, Criticizes High Import Duties

Concerns Over India’s High Tariffs Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his concerns about India’s high import tariffs, labeling the country as one of the “highest tariffing nations in the world.” In an interview with Breitbart News, Trump expressed optimism that India might lower these tariffs substantially. However, he also announced that starting April 2, the United States would impose reciprocal tariffs on India, matching the levies that India charges on American goods. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Praised Despite his concerns over trade policies, Trump acknowledged the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a “group of wonderful nations” working together to strengthen trade relationships. He emphasized that these nations are countering others that seek to harm the U.S. through unfair trade practices. Stronger Trade Partnerships with Foes Than Allies Trump also criticized traditional allies, stating that the U.S. is often treated worse by its friends than by its adversaries. He specifically pointed out the European Union’s trade practices, calling them “terrible,” and noted that India, often considered an ally, also imposes high tariffs on American goods. According to him, the U.S. sometimes receives better trade treatment from nations that are not considered allies. Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff Plan from April 2 On March 5, Trump had already signaled his intent to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that charge high levies on American goods. Speaking in his first address to a Joint Session of Congress in his second term, Trump criticized countries like India, China, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada for imposing significantly higher tariffs on U.S. exports. “If you don’t make your product in America, however, under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff, and in some cases, a rather large one,” Trump said. He emphasized that for decades, other countries had used tariffs against the U.S., and it was now time for America to respond in kind. Auto Tariffs Among the Highest Trump specifically highlighted India’s high tariffs on automobile imports, stating that the country charges duties exceeding 100% on American vehicles. He described these trade policies as “very unfair” and vowed to take corrective measures to protect U.S. businesses. With April 2 approaching, the world will closely watch how Trump’s reciprocal tariffs impact global trade dynamics, particularly U.S.-India relations.

Union Cabinet Approves Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission to Boost Livestock Sector

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to enhance growth in the livestock sector. The revised scheme, part of the Development Programmes scheme, comes with an additional outlay of ₹1,000 crore, bringing the total allocation to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). Key Enhancements in Revised RGM1️⃣ Heifer Rearing Centres 🐄 One-time 35% capital cost assistance to Implementing Agencies for setting up 30 housing facilities for a total of 15,000 heifers.2️⃣ Support for High Genetic Merit (HGM) IVF Heifers 🧬3% interest subvention on loans taken by farmers from milk unions, banks, and financial institutions to encourage the purchase of HGM IVF heifers.Continuation of Existing RGM ActivitiesStrengthening semen stations and Artificial Insemination (AI) networks.Bull production programme & accelerated breed improvement using sex-sorted semen.Skill development and farmer awareness programs.Establishment of Centres of Excellence and strengthening Central Cattle Breeding Farms.Impact of RGM & Government Efforts📈 Milk production increased 63.55% in the last 10 years.🥛 Per capita milk availability rose from 307 grams/day (2013-14) to 471 grams/day (2023-24).🐃 Productivity improved by 26.34% in the last decade. Achievements of Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP)Free AI services provided in 605 districts with low AI coverage (<50%).8.39 crore animals covered and 5.21 crore farmers benefited.22 IVF labs established under State Livestock Boards & Universities.Over 2,541 High Genetic Merit (HGM) calves born through IVF technology.Technological Breakthroughs in Atmanirbhar BharatGau Chip & Mahish Chip: Genomic chips for indigenous bovines, developed by NDDB & ICAR-NBAGR.Gau Sort: Indigenously developed sex-sorted semen production technology by NDDB.The revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission is set to revolutionize India’s dairy and livestock sector, strengthening the country’s position as the world’s largest milk producer. 🐄🚜

Punjab Police Clear Farmer Protest Sites Amidst Rising Industrial Concerns

Punjab Police have begun dismantling structures and removing vehicles stationed by protesting farmers at two major highways, paving the way for their reopening. The action follows over a year-long blockade by farmers protesting for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other demands. Police Action & Farmer Leaders’ Detention Government Justification & Political Reactions Farmers’ Demands & Unresolved Talks With highways being cleared and negotiations ongoing, the farmer protests remain a major issue in Punjab’s political and economic landscape. 🚜

Telangana government has proposed a ₹17,677 crore allocation for the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department

The Telangana government has proposed a ₹17,677 crore allocation for the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department in the 2025-26 state budget. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka presented the budget in the Assembly on March 19, 2025, highlighting key urban development initiatives under the H-CITI Plan and the newly established Future City Development Authority (FCDA). Key Announcements & Projects 1. H-CITI Plan (Urban Infrastructure & Traffic Management) 2. Flood Mitigation & Drainage Projects 3. Future City Development Authority (FCDA) 4. SPEED (Smart, Proactive, Efficient, and Effective Delivery) Initiative MA&UD Budget Breakdown (₹17,677 crore) Major Budget Allocations Key Takeaways This budget highlights Telangana’s commitment to urban modernization, sustainable infrastructure, and economic growth. 🚀

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