Jadavpur University professor attacked by alleged BJP activists in Kolkata

A professor of Kolkata’s Jadavpur University was attacked by a few Bharatiya Janata Party activists on Monday after she protested against disparaging remarks that the party made about the institution and the Muslim community during a street meeting, while a well-known photographer was attacked in a different part of the city for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, and the National Register of Citizens.

Tamil orator Nellai Kannan booked for remarks against Narendra Modi, Amit Shah

Tamil orator Nellai Kannan was booked on Tuesday by Tirunelveli city police in Tamil Nadu for allegedly making provocative comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Jammu and Kashmir: SMS services, blocked since August, to be restored at midnight

Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal said on Tuesday that SMS services will be restored in the Union Territory from midnight. SMS services, along with mobile internet and all other forms of communications, were shut down on August 5, when India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

After Kerala passes CAA resolution, RS Prasad says only Parliament can frame citizenship laws

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Tuesday that only the Parliament, and not any state Assembly, has the right to pass any law regarding citizenship, PTI reported. Prasad’s remark came after the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution demanding that the Citizenship Amendment Act be repealed.

Nirmala Sitharaman announces infrastructure projects worth Rs 102 lakh crore for next five years

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced infrastructure projects worth Rs 102 lakh crore in the next five years, ANI reported. This is part of the Indian government’s spending push in the sector and will help make India a $5 trillion economy by 2025, she said.

Cold wave continues in Rajasthan, Sikar’s minimum temperature down to 1 degree Celsius

Parts of Rajasthan continued to grapple with the cold wave on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature in Sikar plunging to 1 degree Celsius, four degrees below normal, the India Meteorological Department reported.

Expression of interest for Air India expected within next few weeks, says Aviation Minister Puri

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that the ministry will attempt to issue the expression of interest for Air India in recent weeks.

Kerala ranks at the top, Bihar last on NITI Aayog’s sustainable development goals index

Kerala emerged at the top while Bihar remained in the bottom of the list in the Sustainable Development Goals Index 2019, released by the NITI Aayog on Monday. The report assesses the progress of states and Union Territories on several parameters, including social, economic, and environmental.

General Manoj Mukund Naravane takes over as new Army chief

General Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as 28th chief of Army staff on Tuesday, replacing Bipin Rawat. Naravane was appointed the vice chief of Army staff in September. He was earlier heading the Eastern Command of the Army, which looks over the 4,000-km border with China.

Maharashtra: NCP MLA Prakash Solanke to resign after Cabinet expansion, says ‘unworthy of politics’

Nationalist Congress Party MLA Prakash Solanke on Monday announced that he would resign as the member of the Maharashtra legislative Assembly, saying he was “unworthy to do politics”, reported PTI. The MLA from Beed district in Maharashtra denied any link between his decision and his non-induction in the Cabinet.

‘Person coining slogans making utterances,’ BJP hits out at Prashant Kishor’s seat-sharing formula

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday launched a scathing attack on ally Janata Dal (United) leader and political strategist Prashant Kishor over his comments that his party should contest more seats than the saffron party in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Evict non-tribals, others ‘ineligible’ from tribal belts, orders Gauhati High Court

The Gauhati High Court on Monday ordered the eviction of non-tribals and others who are not eligible to hold possession of land in the tribal belts and blocks of Assam. A division bench of Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua passed the order in response to a public interest litigation filed by Prodyut Kumar Bora. He sought the court’s intervention to protect tribal belts and blocks from illegal occupation by non-tribals and others.

Army chief Bipin Rawat says he will ‘plan strategy’ as chief of defence staff after he takes over

Army chief Bipin Rawat, who was appointed the first chief of defence staff on Monday, said on Tuesday that he would “plan his strategy” for the new role after he takes over. Rawat, who retires as chief of Army staff on Tuesday, will take over as the chief of defence staff on the same day.

Sonny Mehta, editor-in-chief of publishing house Alfred A Knopf, dies at 76

Sonny Mehta, the editor-in-chief of publishing house Alfred A Knopf, has died, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Tuesday. Mehta was Patnaik’s brother-in-law. He was 76.

Kerala: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tables resolution against Citizenship Act in Assembly

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday moved a resolution in the state Assembly demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act. The chief minister has repeatedly expressed his disappointment with the amendments and refused to implement it.

CAA protests: Adityanath warns of punishment after Priyanka Gandhi criticises UP Police crackdown

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath on Monday evening issued another warning of punishment after Priyanka Gandhi lashed out at the state police for cracking down on people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Congress leader demanded a judicial inquiry into the “unlawful conduct” of the force.

Kota infant deaths: NCPCR team finds serious lapses at hospital, says pigs roaming inside campus

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Monday found serious lapses at a hospital in Kota, Rajasthan, that was in the news after 10 infants died in a week. During an inspection at state-run JK Lon Hospital, the child rights body found broken windows and gates, pigs roaming inside campus and acute shortage of staff.

Central Board of Direct Taxes extends deadline to link PAN with Aadhaar to March 31, 2020

The Central Board of Direct Taxes on Monday said that the last date for the mandatory linking of the Permanent Account Number with the Aadhaar card has been extended from December 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. This is the eighth time that the Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the deadline.

CAA protests: Railways says it will recover Rs 80 crore from demonstrators for damaging property

Railway Board Chairperson Vinod Kumar Yadav said on Monday that railway property worth Rs 80 crore was damaged during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, and the amount will be recovered from those who indulged in violence and arson.

Army chief Bipin Rawat made first chief of defence staff

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat was on Monday named as the country’s first chief of defence staff, a day before his retirement from service. The 61-year-old was one the front-runners for the post.