US university permits Sikh students to wear Kirpan on campus: Report

A prestigious United States university has decided that it will permit Sikh students to wear kirpans, one of the integral parts of five Sikh Kakars, on campus. The decision comes just two months after a Sikh student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte was allegedly detained on the campus for wearing a Kirpan. The incident drew huge flak, as the video went viral on social media.

Delhiwale: Chelmsford lives

On Chelmsford Road in Delhi, stark disparities exist between elegant bungalows and homeless citizens living on the footpath. Each homeless person seems to be alone, and barely noticeable. Encounters with the homeless reveal tales of poverty, loneliness and despair, while colourful drawings of a white heron and the current year bring a glimmer of hope.

Shah inaugurates temple in Kashmir, lauds Modi for restoring peace

Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated the Mata Sharda Devi temple near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. He said the abrogation of Article 370 has restored the Valley and Jammu to their old traditions and Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb. The temple was constructed following a campaign by Ravinder Pandita, a Kashmiri migrant. The minister also promised to open the Sharda Peeth pilgrimage on the lines of Kartarpur Corridor.

Khalistan supporters again stage stir at Indian mission in London

Pro-Khalistani groups staged a massive protest outside the Indian high commission in London on Wednesday, throwing water bottles and smoke flares at the main gate. The protest was in response to the Punjab Police's attempt to nab Amritpal Singh and the alleged police repression in Punjab. The Indian high commission unfurled an additional Tricolour from its terrace, which seemed to further rile the protestors. New Delhi has apprised the UK authorities about the activities of pro-Khalistani groups, demanding sterner action. Indian high commissioner, Vikram Doraiswami, denied the "sensationalist lies" on social media about the situation in Punjab.

Modi holds review meeting on influenza, Covid cases

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the country's response and preparedness to deal with rising cases of Covid-19 and influenza. He directed officials to increase genome sequencing and stressed the importance of Covid-appropriate behaviour. India reported an average of 888 Covid-19 cases in the week ended March 22, and doctors are more concerned by influenza which has laid many people low due to lower immunity. The Prime Minister also reviewed the progress made since the last review meeting on December 22, 2022.

Supreme Court to hear pleas seeking to criminalise marital rape on May 9

The Union government on Wednesday sought a week to clarify its stand on making marital rape a criminal offence, with the Supreme Court fixing May 9 for extensive arguments on a clutch of petitions demanding a change in the legal regime. The Centre's affidavit is pending vetting and the government has requested for time to argue, citing "social ramifications" of the matter. Senior advocates and advocates will appear for the parties supporting criminalisation of marital rape.

Regulatory body cancels Marion Biotech’s licence

Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority has cancelled the manufacturing licence of Noida-based pharmaceutical company Marion Biotech, whose cough syrup was linked to the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan in December. The firm was found to have adulterated and spurious samples, leading to the cancellation of its licence and arrest of three of its employees. WHO had issued an alert against the company's product for containing toxic substances.

Barring married cadets from applying for JAG in army a reasonable restriction: Centre to Delhi high Court

Government defends barring married individuals from applying for JAG role in the army, saying it is necessary to protect candidates and national security. Affidavit states that military training is compulsory for all recruits, and the prohibition of marriage during training period is in the interest of the candidates and the organisation. Petitioner has challenged the exclusion of married individuals from applying for the post, citing that marital status is not an eligibility criterion for the judiciary and civil services.

BJP alleges corruption in Kochi waste dump fire, demands CBI investigation

BJP alleges kickbacks involving relatives of Left and Congress leaders in botched waste management plan in Kochi, leading to 12-day-long fire. Seeks CBI probe and a fine of ?100 crore on Kochi Corporation. Opposition alleges government mishandled the incident, ruling CPI(M) denies it.

Will frame policy on advisors’ appointment: Andhra to HC

Andhra Pradesh government has decided to formulate a policy to regulate the appointment of advisors, after the state high court observed the indiscriminate appointment of advisors was causing a burden on the state exchequer. The policy will require ministers to initiate the appointments and the chief minister to approve them. Advisors will be appointed for two years, subject to renewal, and must sign an affidavit of confidentiality. There will be periodic reviews of the need and suitability of the appointees.

Kerala sounds alert amid slight increase in daily Covid infections

Kerala government has sounded an alert after a slight increase in Covid-19 cases. Health Minister Veena George said 1,026 active cases and 111 people were hospitalised. Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts reported maximum cases. The Union Government had warned 6 states, including Kerala and PM Modi held a meeting in Delhi. Schools have advised children to wear masks. Kerala had reported second highest cases after Maharashtra. Experts said the state will have to go an extra mile due to high density of population and elderly population.

Tirupati seeks to earn ₹4,411 crore in FY24

TTD, which manages the hill shrine of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, has projected a revenue of ?4,411.68 crore for 2023-24. The budget was approved by the TTD trust board and is higher by ?1,315 crore compared to the budgeted estimate of ?3,096 crores for the financial year 2022-23. The substantial increase in the revenues of the TTD is due to increasing footfall of pilgrims in the post-Covid period and the board is contemplating reducing the Sri Vani Trust tickets to enable more darshan time for common pilgrims.

National leaders to attend inaugural ceremony of Karunandhi: Stalin

On June 3, DMK will inaugurate a memorial for former chief minister M Karunandhi at his birthplace Thiruvarur and launch a year-long celebration of his birth centenary. Leaders of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and ?national leaders? will speak during the day while DMK will launch a massive enrolment drive to add one-crore new members to the party by June 3.

9 killed in explosion in TN firecracker factory

At least nine people were killed and 18 injured in an explosion at a firecracker unit in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. Police said the unit had employed more workers than allowed, and the fire quickly spread to the godown. State minister T M Anbarasan said the factory's licence was valid till 2024. Chief Minister M K Stalin announced a compensation of ₹3 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and ₹1 lakh each to the injured.

Don’t overlook or withhold names recommended for appointment as judges: Supreme Court collegium to govt

The Supreme Court collegium expressed displeasure at the Union government's selective appointment of judges from a list of names recommended by the collegium, which it said leads to loss of seniority of the candidates. It cited the case of Christian lawyer R John Sathyan, whose name was reiterated in January but the government chose to ignore it. The collegium urged the Centre to not withhold or overlook its recommendations.

YouTuber among 5 held for assault on Hyderabad cops

Five people, including journalist-activist Chintapandu Naveen Kumar, were arrested for allegedly abducting and wrongfully confining two police constables, and assaulting police officials on duty in Hyderabad. They were remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Unconfirmed reports said the police had picked them up for derogatory comments against the Chief Minister.