April 25, 2026

Sonia Gandhi NEW DELHI: Congress MP Sonia Gandhi Saturday described as “politically motivated and frivolous” a criminal revision petition before a Delhi court against a 2025 magisterial order that declined to order an FIR over alleged inclusion of her name in electoral rolls in 1980, three years before she acquired Indian citizenship. The petition before special judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue sessions court alleges that the Italian origin Sonia’s name was added using forged documents. The Congress senior described the claims as “wholly misconceived” and the plea as “abuse of the process of law”. The plea was filed by one Vikas Tripathi, challenging magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya’s refusal on Sept 11 last year to order the FIR. Sonia had been sent notices on Dec 9, 2025, over the plea. Judge Gogne noted the reply on Saturday and listed the matter for arguments on Feb 21. In her reply, Sonia said the trial (magistrate) court had rightly held that issues of citizenship fall “exclusively within the domain of the Central govt”, while electoral roll disputes are “vested solely with Election Commission of India”. She argued that criminal courts cannot entertain private complaints disguised as IPC or BNS offences, as this would violate the doctrine of separation of powers and Article 329 of the Constitution, which bars judicial interference in the electoral process. Sonia added that a “controversy raised in the media more than 25 years back” was being recycled to file the revision plea, with allegations that were “speculative and unsupported” by authentic documents, and which failed to specify the documents allegedly forged or their source. Although the plea claims Sonia’s name was “re-entered” in electoral rolls with a qualifying date of Jan 1, 1983, no supporting document was placed on record. “It is incomprehensible on what basis it has been claimed that the respondent got her name re-entered,” the reply states.About the AuthorKoushiki SahaKoushiki Saha, a trainee journalist currently reporting for The Times of India, covers urban governance, infrastructure lapses, public grievances, and municipal policies with clarity and compassion. Still learning every day, she draws insights from fieldwork, lived experiences, and holding authorities accountable through persistent, people-focused reporting.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Reiterates Energy Security Priority, Signals Russia Oil Imports Will ContinueGhaziabad Sisters’ Deaths: Father’s Three Marriages Add Twist To Probe“Deal Favours US farmers” Opposition Attacks India-US Trade FrameworkFrom Tamil Pride To Global Trust: How PM Modi Used Culture To Reset India-Malaysia RelationsPM Modi In Kuala Lumpur Says India Malaysia Ties Are Rising, Unveils IMPACT Vision For Asia”To Benefit Farmers….” Shivraj Singh Chouhan Big Claim On India-US Trade DealPiyush Goyal Says Agriculture Is Self Reliant Sector As India Refuses Farm Import Benefits To USFrom Design To Silicon, India Signals Semiconductor Breakout With Semicon 2.0 RoadmapMP Minister Vijay Shah Finally Apologises For Comment Targeting Op Sindoor Face Col Sofia QureshiTurkey Sides With Pakistan On Kashmir At UN After Sharif’s Rhetoric On India’s ‘Integral’ Territory123PhotostoriesExclusive – Yuvika Choudhary on The 50: I took a break after my daughter’s birth to be there for her; now it’s time for me to return as a working momHow Taylor Swift turned fashion into her signature storytelling powerMukaish to Rabari: Underrated embroidery techniques in India that deserve more attention7 most colourful birds of Indian forestsThe 50: Major Fights That Grabbed Attention5 luxury sports cars that combine comfort with extreme powerThomas Edison once said, “I’ve not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”: 4 lessons it teaches students6 celebrities who called out social media as ‘toxic’: Tom Holland, Selena Gomez, Kate Winslet, and moreThe ultimate footwear checklist every girl needs in her closet5 mistakes to avoid when investing in under-construction projects123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingIndia vs USA LiveCooper Kupp WifeKayla NicoleSuper Bowl LX TicketOliver RowlandJustin GaethjeLIV GolfLiam Paro vs Paddy Donovan Net WorthWinter Olympics 2026NBA Trade Update

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Sonia Gandhi NEW DELHI: Congress MP Sonia Gandhi Saturday described as “politically motivated and frivolous” a criminal revision petition before a Delhi court against a 2025 magisterial order that declined to order an FIR over alleged inclusion of her name in electoral rolls in 1980, three years before she acquired Indian citizenship. The petition before special judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue sessions court alleges that the Italian origin Sonia’s name was added using forged documents. The Congress senior described the claims as “wholly misconceived” and the plea as “abuse of the process of law”. The plea was filed by one Vikas Tripathi, challenging magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya’s refusal on Sept 11 last year to order the FIR. Sonia had been sent notices on Dec 9, 2025, over the plea. Judge Gogne noted the reply on Saturday and listed the matter for arguments on Feb 21. In her reply, Sonia said the trial (magistrate) court had rightly held that issues of citizenship fall “exclusively within the domain of the Central govt”, while electoral roll disputes are “vested solely with Election Commission of India”. She argued that criminal courts cannot entertain private complaints disguised as IPC or BNS offences, as this would violate the doctrine of separation of powers and Article 329 of the Constitution, which bars judicial interference in the electoral process. Sonia added that a “controversy raised in the media more than 25 years back” was being recycled to file the revision plea, with allegations that were “speculative and unsupported” by authentic documents, and which failed to specify the documents allegedly forged or their source. Although the plea claims Sonia’s name was “re-entered” in electoral rolls with a qualifying date of Jan 1, 1983, no supporting document was placed on record. “It is incomprehensible on what basis it has been claimed that the respondent got her name re-entered,” the reply states.About the AuthorKoushiki SahaKoushiki Saha, a trainee journalist currently reporting for The Times of India, covers urban governance, infrastructure lapses, public grievances, and municipal policies with clarity and compassion. Still learning every day, she draws insights from fieldwork, lived experiences, and holding authorities accountable through persistent, people-focused reporting.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Reiterates Energy Security Priority, Signals Russia Oil Imports Will ContinueGhaziabad Sisters’ Deaths: Father’s Three Marriages Add Twist To Probe“Deal Favours US farmers” Opposition Attacks India-US Trade FrameworkFrom Tamil Pride To Global Trust: How PM Modi Used Culture To Reset India-Malaysia RelationsPM Modi In Kuala Lumpur Says India Malaysia Ties Are Rising, Unveils IMPACT Vision For Asia”To Benefit Farmers….” Shivraj Singh Chouhan Big Claim On India-US Trade DealPiyush Goyal Says Agriculture Is Self Reliant Sector As India Refuses Farm Import Benefits To USFrom Design To Silicon, India Signals Semiconductor Breakout With Semicon 2.0 RoadmapMP Minister Vijay Shah Finally Apologises For Comment Targeting Op Sindoor Face Col Sofia QureshiTurkey Sides With Pakistan On Kashmir At UN After Sharif’s Rhetoric On India’s ‘Integral’ Territory123PhotostoriesExclusive – Yuvika Choudhary on The 50: I took a break after my daughter’s birth to be there for her; now it’s time for me to return as a working momHow Taylor Swift turned fashion into her signature storytelling powerMukaish to Rabari: Underrated embroidery techniques in India that deserve more attention7 most colourful birds of Indian forestsThe 50: Major Fights That Grabbed Attention5 luxury sports cars that combine comfort with extreme powerThomas Edison once said, “I’ve not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”: 4 lessons it teaches students6 celebrities who called out social media as ‘toxic’: Tom Holland, Selena Gomez, Kate Winslet, and moreThe ultimate footwear checklist every girl needs in her closet5 mistakes to avoid when investing in under-construction projects123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingIndia vs USA LiveCooper Kupp WifeKayla NicoleSuper Bowl LX TicketOliver RowlandJustin GaethjeLIV GolfLiam Paro vs Paddy Donovan Net WorthWinter Olympics 2026NBA Trade Update


'Politically motivated': Sonia Gandhi slams plea over 1980 voter list inclusion

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Sonia Gandhi Saturday described as “politically motivated and frivolous” a criminal revision petition before a Delhi court against a 2025 magisterial order that declined to order an FIR over alleged inclusion of her name in electoral rolls in 1980, three years before she acquired Indian citizenship. The petition before special judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue sessions court alleges that the Italian origin Sonia’s name was added using forged documents. The Congress senior described the claims as “wholly misconceived” and the plea as “abuse of the process of law”. The plea was filed by one Vikas Tripathi, challenging magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya’s refusal on Sept 11 last year to order the FIR. Sonia had been sent notices on Dec 9, 2025, over the plea. Judge Gogne noted the reply on Saturday and listed the matter for arguments on Feb 21. In her reply, Sonia said the trial (magistrate) court had rightly held that issues of citizenship fall “exclusively within the domain of the Central govt”, while electoral roll disputes are “vested solely with Election Commission of India”. She argued that criminal courts cannot entertain private complaints disguised as IPC or BNS offences, as this would violate the doctrine of separation of powers and Article 329 of the Constitution, which bars judicial interference in the electoral process. Sonia added that a “controversy raised in the media more than 25 years back” was being recycled to file the revision plea, with allegations that were “speculative and unsupported” by authentic documents, and which failed to specify the documents allegedly forged or their source. Although the plea claims Sonia’s name was “re-entered” in electoral rolls with a qualifying date of Jan 1, 1983, no supporting document was placed on record. “It is incomprehensible on what basis it has been claimed that the respondent got her name re-entered,” the reply states.



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Representative image JAMMU: A tribal nomad from Murrah Hill Kaka, who joined anti-insurgency operations in the then terrorism-infested Poonch district in J&K after quitting a job in Saudi Arabia to avenge his brother’s killing and earned respect in his area as “Hero of Hill Kaka”, has died of a heart attack at the age of 62.Tahir Fazal was known in his area for mobilising the tribal community against Pakistan-trained terrorists to reclaim his native Hill Kaka, which had become a stronghold of terrorists.Fazal, along with his other brother, returned from Saudi Arabia on June 26, 2002, after their brother was killed by terrorists.After getting arms training, Fazal joined the anti-insurgency operations and avenged his brother’s death by eliminating militant Abu Kasiv. Soon, he would become a veteran of many “kills”.In 2019, Fazal had written to the then Union home minister Rajnath Singh, asking his community a chance to deal with terrorists in Shopian and Anantnag.Paying tribute to a veteran, the Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X, “A Brave Heart laid to Rest — With deep sorrow and immense gratitude, #IndianArmy bid a solemn farewell to Tahis Fazal, a valiant son of the soil who stood shoulder to shoulder with his own troops during Op Sarpvinash in 2003.”Fazal passed away on April 22 in Uttarakhand.Meanwhile, J&K minister Javed Ahmed Rana has condoled veteran Fazal’s death, describing him as an “unsung warrior”.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

Representative image JAMMU: A tribal nomad from Murrah Hill Kaka, who joined anti-insurgency operations in the then terrorism-infested Poonch district in J&K after quitting a job in Saudi Arabia to avenge his brother’s killing and earned respect in his area as “Hero of Hill Kaka”, has died of a heart attack at the age of 62.Tahir Fazal was known in his area for mobilising the tribal community against Pakistan-trained terrorists to reclaim his native Hill Kaka, which had become a stronghold of terrorists.Fazal, along with his other brother, returned from Saudi Arabia on June 26, 2002, after their brother was killed by terrorists.After getting arms training, Fazal joined the anti-insurgency operations and avenged his brother’s death by eliminating militant Abu Kasiv. Soon, he would become a veteran of many “kills”.In 2019, Fazal had written to the then Union home minister Rajnath Singh, asking his community a chance to deal with terrorists in Shopian and Anantnag.Paying tribute to a veteran, the Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X, “A Brave Heart laid to Rest — With deep sorrow and immense gratitude, #IndianArmy bid a solemn farewell to Tahis Fazal, a valiant son of the soil who stood shoulder to shoulder with his own troops during Op Sarpvinash in 2003.”Fazal passed away on April 22 in Uttarakhand.Meanwhile, J&K minister Javed Ahmed Rana has condoled veteran Fazal’s death, describing him as an “unsung warrior”.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna 0
​ SRINAGAR: J&K authorities announced Friday detentions of six people under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly inciting “law and order disturbances” and “acts of vandalism” during a recent students’ protest in Kashmir’s Sopore.The students were protesting against a schoolteacher accused of molestation and later taken into custody.Police said Umar Akbar Hajam, Salman Ahmed Shala, Altaf Ahmed Sheikh, Mubashir Ahmed Gilkar, Muzammil Mushtaq Changa, and Majid Firdous Dar were detained after authorisation from the district magistrate, as required under PSA. They have been jailed in Jammu’s Doda.All hail from Sopore, the police said, adding none is a student. “These miscreants were involved in attempting to disturb peace during a recent protest by students. Their activities posed a serious threat to public order and safety,” a police statement said, adding more individuals involved in the April 13 trouble are being identified for prosecution, including under PSA.In a warning to the public, the police asked them to “stay away from unlawful activities and not to fall prey to instigation by anti-social elements”.The police have not mentioned the specific PSA clause under which the six have been booked. The law allows detentions for six months without trial if an accused is a threat to the security of the State, with extensions of six months. Under a PSA clause on threat to public order, preventive detentions are allowed up to three months, with extensions of three months.Earlier, PSA allowed detentions without trials up to two years. But an amendment during a previous stint of J&K CM Omar Abdullah in 2011 reduced the detention period to six months from two years for threat to security of the State and from one year to three months for threat to public order.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looks123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

​ SRINAGAR: J&K authorities announced Friday detentions of six people under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) for allegedly inciting “law and order disturbances” and “acts of vandalism” during a recent students’ protest in Kashmir’s Sopore.The students were protesting against a schoolteacher accused of molestation and later taken into custody.Police said Umar Akbar Hajam, Salman Ahmed Shala, Altaf Ahmed Sheikh, Mubashir Ahmed Gilkar, Muzammil Mushtaq Changa, and Majid Firdous Dar were detained after authorisation from the district magistrate, as required under PSA. They have been jailed in Jammu’s Doda.All hail from Sopore, the police said, adding none is a student. “These miscreants were involved in attempting to disturb peace during a recent protest by students. Their activities posed a serious threat to public order and safety,” a police statement said, adding more individuals involved in the April 13 trouble are being identified for prosecution, including under PSA.In a warning to the public, the police asked them to “stay away from unlawful activities and not to fall prey to instigation by anti-social elements”.The police have not mentioned the specific PSA clause under which the six have been booked. The law allows detentions for six months without trial if an accused is a threat to the security of the State, with extensions of six months. Under a PSA clause on threat to public order, preventive detentions are allowed up to three months, with extensions of three months.Earlier, PSA allowed detentions without trials up to two years. But an amendment during a previous stint of J&K CM Omar Abdullah in 2011 reduced the detention period to six months from two years for threat to security of the State and from one year to three months for threat to public order.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looks123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

Vamsikrishna 0
. SRINAGAR: J&K administration’s move to remove Urdu, previously a mandatory qualification for revenue services, from the newly amended draft recruitment rules has sparked a political row in the Union Territory. The decision comes nearly a year after BJP protested and sought revocation of a govt order that made Urdu a compulsory subject for the naib tehsildar recruitment exam in J&K.PDP termed it a deliberate attempt to sideline and erase Urdu from the region’s administrative framework, even as BJP called it a “course correction”, insisting that any of the five official languages in J&K should be made a criterion for qualifying for revenue services.For generations, Urdu been the backbone of revenue records, land documentation, and official communication in the UT, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said. “Diluting its role is not only culturally insensitive but also administratively unsound. Removing Urdu from revenue services will create practical challenges in handling existing records and weaken the continuity of governance,” she said, adding that PDP views this decision as part of a broader pattern of undermining the linguistic and cultural identity of J&K.“Urdu has not been removed. It has been removed as the sole mandatory language for qualification,” BJP general secretary Ashok Koul said, adding that since J&K has five official languages, candidates should have knowledge of any one to qualify, and land records should be made available in all official languages.The row began after the revenue department on April 10 issued a draft of Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Service Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted posts, inviting objections within 15 days of the notification. According to the draft, the minimum qualification for direct recruitment has been kept as “graduation from any university”. Earlier, along with graduation, the knowledge of Urdu was a necessary criterion for recruitment.National Conference has not commented on the issue.Urdu has a long association with J&K. In 1889, Maharaja Pratap Singh, the third ruler of Dogra dynasty, replaced Persian with Urdu as the court language in the region. After 1947, the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir recognised Urdu as a link language of the erstwhile J&K state, which included Ladakh, and retained it as an official language.Over time, English gradually replaced Urdu in official communication, particularly after the extension of central services to the region in 1962. As IAS and IPS officers were posted in J&K, English increasingly became the preferred administrative language.This arrangement remained in place until Sept 2, 2020, when the Union Cabinet approved the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020, declaring Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri and English as official languages of the region. The bill was later passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha, effectively ending Urdu’s 131-year status as the sole official language in J&K. Experts say apart from J&K, no other region in the country has five official languages in use.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

. SRINAGAR: J&K administration’s move to remove Urdu, previously a mandatory qualification for revenue services, from the newly amended draft recruitment rules has sparked a political row in the Union Territory. The decision comes nearly a year after BJP protested and sought revocation of a govt order that made Urdu a compulsory subject for the naib tehsildar recruitment exam in J&K.PDP termed it a deliberate attempt to sideline and erase Urdu from the region’s administrative framework, even as BJP called it a “course correction”, insisting that any of the five official languages in J&K should be made a criterion for qualifying for revenue services.For generations, Urdu been the backbone of revenue records, land documentation, and official communication in the UT, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said. “Diluting its role is not only culturally insensitive but also administratively unsound. Removing Urdu from revenue services will create practical challenges in handling existing records and weaken the continuity of governance,” she said, adding that PDP views this decision as part of a broader pattern of undermining the linguistic and cultural identity of J&K.“Urdu has not been removed. It has been removed as the sole mandatory language for qualification,” BJP general secretary Ashok Koul said, adding that since J&K has five official languages, candidates should have knowledge of any one to qualify, and land records should be made available in all official languages.The row began after the revenue department on April 10 issued a draft of Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Service Recruitment Rules for non-gazetted posts, inviting objections within 15 days of the notification. According to the draft, the minimum qualification for direct recruitment has been kept as “graduation from any university”. Earlier, along with graduation, the knowledge of Urdu was a necessary criterion for recruitment.National Conference has not commented on the issue.Urdu has a long association with J&K. In 1889, Maharaja Pratap Singh, the third ruler of Dogra dynasty, replaced Persian with Urdu as the court language in the region. After 1947, the Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir recognised Urdu as a link language of the erstwhile J&K state, which included Ladakh, and retained it as an official language.Over time, English gradually replaced Urdu in official communication, particularly after the extension of central services to the region in 1962. As IAS and IPS officers were posted in J&K, English increasingly became the preferred administrative language.This arrangement remained in place until Sept 2, 2020, when the Union Cabinet approved the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill, 2020, declaring Urdu, Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri and English as official languages of the region. The bill was later passed by voice vote in Rajya Sabha, effectively ending Urdu’s 131-year status as the sole official language in J&K. Experts say apart from J&K, no other region in the country has five official languages in use.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Kejriwal’s AAP And Raghav Chadha Drifted Apart In A Slow-Burn Political Breakup”Right Man, Wrong Party”: Raghav Chadha Quits AAP with 6 MPs; The End of Kejriwal’s RS Power?Why Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In Assembly123PhotostoriesAnupamaa fame Paras Kalnawat opens up about being cheated on and a toxic relationship that took a toll on him; says, “Main tadap raha tha aur uske 15-16 boyfriend ban rahe the”Why do aloo bhujia sticks to the kadhai? 4 simple tips to fix it at homeForget mozzarella and cheddar: Try these 6 traditional Indian cheeses that are highly nutritiousAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

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Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha with Nitin Nabin and others (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: The exit of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha along with six other members has significantly altered the composition of the Upper House, strengthening the ruling BJP-led NDA while sharply reducing the Aam Aadmi Party’s presence. The move has also hit the opposition camp, whose strength has dropped from 84 to 77 members after the AAP split.The BJP’s tally in the Rajya Sabha has risen from 106 to 113 following the merger of the breakaway AAP MPs, further consolidating its position in the House. The Upper House has a total strength of 245 members.In contrast, the AAP’s strength has dropped sharply from 10 to just three members.The development comes after Chadha, along with fellow MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced their exit from AAP and decision to join the BJP, triggering a broader split within the party. MPs including Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney are also part of the group that backed the move.Announcing the decision, Chadha had sharply criticised his former party. “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain,” he said.He also stated that the split had the backing of a majority of AAP’s MPs in the Upper House. “We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha said.NDA gains, BJP strengthens positionWith the addition of seven MPs, the BJP has further consolidated its position in the Rajya Sabha with 113 members.The broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continues to hold a comfortable edge, with allies such as the Janata Dal (United) with four members and the AIADMK with five backing the coalition.AAP reduced to just three MPsFor the AAP, the split has resulted in a dramatic fall in its parliamentary strength. The party is now left with just three MPs: Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Balbir Singh Seechewal.Sanjay Singh, who remains the party’s most vocal face in Parliament, has strongly criticised the defectors, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the split. He alleged that central agencies were being used as part of a larger political strategy and termed the departing MPs as ‘traitors.’“Operation Lotus is being executed on the Punjab government… ED and CBI are being used to carry out this Operation Lotus… The people of Punjab will never forget these traitors,” he said.Impact on Opposition blocThe shift has also impacted the opposition camp, of which AAP is a part. The bloc’s combined strength in the Rajya Sabha has now come down to 77 members, from 84 earlier following the exit of seven MPs.The bloc is led by Congress (29 members), followed by Trinamool Congress (13) and DMK (8), along with parties such as Samajwadi Party (4), CPI(M) (3), RJD (3), J&K National Conference (3), CPI (2), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (2), IUML (2), NCP (4) and AAP (3).A political turning pointThe developments mark a major political turning point for AAP, which had steadily built its presence in the Rajya Sabha over recent years. The sudden loss of two-thirds of its MPs not only impacts its numerical strength but also raises questions about internal cohesion within the party.For the BJP, the gains further strengthen its standing in the Upper House, giving it greater room to push its legislative agenda with reduced reliance on external support.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In AssemblyTamil Nadu Polls See Surge in First-Time Voters, Youth Drive Record TurnoutBJP Declares Yogi Adityanath as CM Face for 2027 UP Assembly Elections123PhotostoriesWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it5 game-changing rituals that can save your relationshipVitamin B12 deficiency is more common than you think: Foods you need in your daily diet123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha with Nitin Nabin and others (Image/ANI) NEW DELHI: The exit of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha along with six other members has significantly altered the composition of the Upper House, strengthening the ruling BJP-led NDA while sharply reducing the Aam Aadmi Party’s presence. The move has also hit the opposition camp, whose strength has dropped from 84 to 77 members after the AAP split.The BJP’s tally in the Rajya Sabha has risen from 106 to 113 following the merger of the breakaway AAP MPs, further consolidating its position in the House. The Upper House has a total strength of 245 members.In contrast, the AAP’s strength has dropped sharply from 10 to just three members.The development comes after Chadha, along with fellow MPs Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, announced their exit from AAP and decision to join the BJP, triggering a broader split within the party. MPs including Swati Maliwal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta and Vikram Sahney are also part of the group that backed the move.Announcing the decision, Chadha had sharply criticised his former party. “The Aam Aadmi Party, which I nurtured with my blood and sweat and to which I gave 15 years of my youth, has now completely deviated from its principles, values, and core morals. The party is no longer working for the country or in the national interest, but for personal gain,” he said.He also stated that the split had the backing of a majority of AAP’s MPs in the Upper House. “We have decided that we, the two-thirds members belonging to the AAP in the Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP,” Chadha said.NDA gains, BJP strengthens positionWith the addition of seven MPs, the BJP has further consolidated its position in the Rajya Sabha with 113 members.The broader National Democratic Alliance (NDA) continues to hold a comfortable edge, with allies such as the Janata Dal (United) with four members and the AIADMK with five backing the coalition.AAP reduced to just three MPsFor the AAP, the split has resulted in a dramatic fall in its parliamentary strength. The party is now left with just three MPs: Sanjay Singh, ND Gupta and Balbir Singh Seechewal.Sanjay Singh, who remains the party’s most vocal face in Parliament, has strongly criticised the defectors, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the split. He alleged that central agencies were being used as part of a larger political strategy and termed the departing MPs as ‘traitors.’“Operation Lotus is being executed on the Punjab government… ED and CBI are being used to carry out this Operation Lotus… The people of Punjab will never forget these traitors,” he said.Impact on Opposition blocThe shift has also impacted the opposition camp, of which AAP is a part. The bloc’s combined strength in the Rajya Sabha has now come down to 77 members, from 84 earlier following the exit of seven MPs.The bloc is led by Congress (29 members), followed by Trinamool Congress (13) and DMK (8), along with parties such as Samajwadi Party (4), CPI(M) (3), RJD (3), J&K National Conference (3), CPI (2), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (2), IUML (2), NCP (4) and AAP (3).A political turning pointThe developments mark a major political turning point for AAP, which had steadily built its presence in the Rajya Sabha over recent years. The sudden loss of two-thirds of its MPs not only impacts its numerical strength but also raises questions about internal cohesion within the party.For the BJP, the gains further strengthen its standing in the Upper House, giving it greater room to push its legislative agenda with reduced reliance on external support.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWhy Israel Is Relocating Hidden Jews From India-s Northeast Amid War PressuresAshok Mittal Joins BJP After Replacing Raghav Chadha In RS & ED Raids | WatchSamrat Choudhary, Tejashwi Yadav Clash Over CM Post, Stability & Lalu LegacyHow Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Ashok Mittal Exit Triggers AAP CrisisAAP Targets Raghav Chadha & MPs Over Exit, Says they ‘Betrayed The People Of Punjab’Meet The 7 AAP MPs Who Resigned And Joined BJP In Big Political Shock To KejriwalRaghav Chadha Quits AAP, Joins BJP With Six Other MPs | WatchBihar CM Samrat Choudhary Clears Floor Test, NDA Government Proves Majority In AssemblyTamil Nadu Polls See Surge in First-Time Voters, Youth Drive Record TurnoutBJP Declares Yogi Adityanath as CM Face for 2027 UP Assembly Elections123PhotostoriesWhat makes their marriage so strong? 5 relationship secrets to learn from Anjali and Sachin TendulkarAre you loading your dishwasher the right way? Here’s what actually worksWhy Gen Z is choosing lab-grown diamonds for modern engagement ringsChronic inflammation may be raising your disease risk: Doctor shares 7 foods that help calm it naturallyWhat that tiny hole in your sink is really forA rare moment put Ranthambore National Park back in the spotlight — 5 reasons fans are going now‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ star Anne Hathaway’s most iconic red carpet looksThis everyday travel item often triggers airport bag checks — and you probably packed it5 game-changing rituals that can save your relationshipVitamin B12 deficiency is more common than you think: Foods you need in your daily diet123Hot PicksTamil Nadu ElectionWest Bengal voter turnoutAssembly Election 2026Mamata BanerjeeTamil Nadu voter turnoutAmit ShahPM ModiTop TrendingRaghav Chadha Joins BJPTamil Nadu electionAP SSC Class 10 resultsRRB opens qualificationAIIMS B.Sc. coursesJac Class 12 ResultPatrick MahomesBengal PollsNirmala SitharamanIPL Orange Cap

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