Delhi polls: Modi claims protests at Jamia, Shaheen Bagh are not a coincidence but an ‘experiment’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that the protests at Jamia Millia Islamia University, Seelampur and Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act were not a coincidence but an “experiment”, ANI reported. He alleged that there was politics behind the demonstrations. Modi made the remarks at a rally in Karkardooma area of the national Capital.

Rahul Gandhi asks finance minister not to be scared of his questions on the economy

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman not to be scared of his questions, continuing his attack on the government over the Union Budget. On Sunday, the Congress leader had advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to try his “magical exercise” to tackle the slowdown in the economy.

Citizenship Act: Protesters in ‘Mumbai Bagh’ detained briefly

A few protestors staging demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act in “Mumbai Bagh” were detained briefly on Monday morning. Among those detained was gender rights activist Trisha Shetty. The detainees were taken to Nagpada police station around 11.30 am, and released around 2 pm.

Maharashtra: Two-member panel to probe allegations of phone tapping of NCP, Shiv Sena leaders

The Maharashtra government on Monday ordered an investigation by a two-member committee into allegations of phone tapping of rival politicians when the Devendra Fadnavis-led Bharatiya Janata Party government was in power in the state, reported the Pune Mirror. “We have given them six weeks to complete it,” said state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.

Delhi polls: ‘Plenty of proof that Kejriwal is a terrorist,’ claims Union minister Prakash Javadekar

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday hit out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that there was “plenty of proof” to establish that the Aam Aadmi Party chief was a terrorist, News18 reported.

Congress criticises Anantkumar Hegde’s remarks about Mahatma Gandhi, calls BJP Britishers’ ‘chamcha’

The Congress on Monday criticised Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anantkumar Hegde for claiming that India’s freedom struggle was staged and for ridiculing Mahatma Gandhi’s contributions to it. Members of the BJP too found it difficult to defend Hegde.

Chinmayanand gets bail in student sexual harassment case

The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted bail to former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chinmayanand in the alleged sexual harassment case of a law student, reported ANI. In August, the 23-year-old complainant went missing soon after posting a video detailing her ordeal.

Citizenship Act: 108 PFI members arrested in UP for alleged links to protests

The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 108 members of the Popular Front of India in the past four days for their alleged association with the anti-Citizenship Act protests.

‘Not a single person will be a loser in the new income tax regime,’ says revenue secretary

Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey on Sunday said the proposed income tax regime will have no losers and will benefit the lower and the lower-middle income segment the most.

Pune court to hear NIA plea seeking transfer of Elgar Parishad case to Mumbai today

A special court in Pune will on Monday hear a plea by the National Investigation Agency seeking transfer of all court documents and objects in the Elgaar Parishad case to a special NIA court in Mumbai. One chargesheet, a supplementary chargesheet, documents and electronic data seized from the accused and the papers of proceedings of the case are in the custody of the Pune court.

Maharashtra: BJP did not keep its promises to Shiv Sena, claims Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday raked up the row with its former ally Bharatiya Janata Party and said that his party had not asked for much ahead of the government formation in the state.

Parliament: Opposition members shout ‘goli marna band karo’ as Anurag Thakur speaks in Lok Sabha

As the Budget Session of the Parliament resumed on Monday, Opposition MPs shouted “goli marna band karo [stop shooting]” slogans after Anurag Thakur, who is the minister of state in the Ministry of Finance, spoke in Lok Sabha.

Coronavirus: India reports its third positive case, again in Kerala

A third person has tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection in India. This case, like the first two, was also reported in Kerala, state Health Minister KK Shailaja said on Monday.

Delhi elections: EC removes top police officer following firing incidents at Shaheen Bagh, Jamia

The Election Commission on Sunday removed deputy commissioner of police, South-East Delhi, Chinmoy Biswal, from his post after two firing incidents were reported from Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Millia Islamia University amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Both the areas were under Biswal’s jurisdiction. A third firing incident was reported late on Sunday night outside the Jamia Millia Islamia University.

West Bengal: Two sisters allegedly beaten up by TMC leader for protesting against land encroachment

Two sisters, protesting against encroachment on their family’s land, were allegedly tied up and assaulted by a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader and his accomplices in West Bengal’s South Dinajpur district, The Telegraph reported on Monday. The panchayat leader, identified as Amal Sarkar, was suspended after a video of the incident was widely shared on social media. The Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed that one of the women is a supporter of the saffron party.

Gandhi’s freedom struggle ‘one big drama’, staged with British approval: BJP MP Anantkumar Hegde

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anantkumar Hegde claimed that India’s freedom struggle was staged and ridiculed Mahatma Gandhi’s hunger strikes and satyagrahas, ANI reported on Monday. The former Union minister from Karnataka made these remarks on Saturday at a public event in Bengaluru.

Delhi: Sanitation worker dies while cleaning sewer in Shahdara, another in critical condition

A 24-year-old sanitation worker died and another sustained injuries after they inhaled toxic fumes while cleaning a sewer without any safety gear in Delhi’s Shahdara area on Sunday, PTI reported. Police said the incident took place at the CBD ground in Karkardooma. A private contractor had hired five workers to clean a 15-feet-deep sewer. The work to clean the manhole was given by the Delhi Development Authority.

Full text: Modi encouraging communal hate and fear mongering, accuse women activists, organisations

Over 160 women and 13 organisations have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop Bharatiya Janata Party members from threatening women with violence and instead fight the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections by upholding the dignity of the Constitution. In an open letter to Modi, the signatories said the firing outside Jamia Millia Islamia on December 30 was a fallout of hate speeches by BJP members.

Shaheen Bagh-inspired exhibition at India Art Fair disrupted after complaint over anti-CAA paintings

An exhibition at the India Art Fair in Delhi, displaying paintings inspired by women at the Capital’s Shaheen Bagh locality and other Citizenship Amendment Act protests, was disrupted on Sunday. The police arrived at the NSIC Exhibition Ground in Okhla after a complaint was registered that paintings against the amended citizenship law were being showcased.

Sabarimala: Nine-judge Supreme Court bench to examine matters related to women’s entry from today

A nine-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will on Monday begin hearing and examining matters related to the entry of women into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple and discrimination at other religious places, PTI reported. The bench will comprise Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan, LN Rao, MM Shantanagoudar, SA Nazeer, RS Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant.

Delhi: Another firing reported outside Jamia Millia Islamia, third shooting in four days

Shots were fired outside Jamia Millia Islamia University’s gate number 5 in Delhi on Sunday night, PTI reported. While no injuries were reported, this was the third incident of firing in Delhi in four days amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Two attackers, one of them wearing a red jacket, came on a red scooter, the Jamia Coordination Committee formed to protest against the amended law, said.

Rahul Gandhi’s advice to Modi to revive faltering economy – ‘Try your magical exercise’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to try his “magical exercise” to tackle the current slowdown in the Indian economy. Gandhi tweeted a video of the prime minister doing yoga, and wrote: “Please try your magical exercise routine a few more times. You never know, it might just start the economy”.

Only income earned in India will be taxed for NRIs, finance ministry clarifies on Budget proposal

The Ministry of Finance on Sunday clarified that non-resident Indians, or NRIs, will have to pay taxes on income earned only in India, and not on what they earn outside the country. The clarification was issued after the Finance Bill, 2020, proposed that an Indian citizen shall be deemed to be resident in India, if he is not liable to be taxed in any country or jurisdiction. After the Budget announcement, there was confusion whether such a person may become liable to pay tax in India. It could have impacted NRIs staying in countries such as United Arab Emirates, which do not impose income tax on individuals under local tax laws.

Delhi: AAP MP calls for Adityanath’s arrest after he claims Arvind Kejriwal has links to Pakistan

Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Sunday lashed out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath for saying that his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal has links to Pakistan, ANI reported. Singh said Adityanath should be arrested, jailed and asked to provide proof for his claims. “Election Commission is silent on all this, his campaigning should be banned in Delhi,” Singh added.