The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Himachal Pradesh

  • Shimla Protest Live Updates: Police, Protestors Clash Over Sanjauli Mosque; Unrest Continues |

    Himachal Mosque Protest: In Shimla, the situation has remained tense in the Sanjauli area where people are protesting against the construction of an ‘illegal’ mosque. The protestors broke the barricades while marching towards the mosque while the Police used water canon and lathicharged the mob. The protestors also pelted stones on the police personnel. On Wednesday, protestors, including members of various Hindu organizations, gathered in the Dhalli area of Shimla to voice their opposition to what they claim is the illegal construction of a mosque in Sanjauli.

    संजौली में हिंदू संगठनों का प्रदर्शन, बैरिकेडिंग हटा रहे हैं प्रदर्शनकारी#HimachalPradeshPolice #ShimlaMasjid #Protest #MasjidCase | @pratyushkkhare @SamikshaRana16 pic.twitter.com/jDxQfLyidw


    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) September 11, 2024

    Visuals from the protest depicted participants holding the Indian tricolor and chanting slogans like ‘Himachal Ne Thana Hai, Devbhoomi Ko Bachana Hai’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. The demonstration was specifically organized by Hindu groups to express their concerns regarding the alleged unlawful mosque construction in Sanjauli.

    #WATCH | Shimla Protests | Himachal Pradesh: Police use water cannons against the protestors to disperse them while they are on their way to the alleged illegal construction of a mosque in the Sanjauli area pic.twitter.com/tmDXReNG4A
    — ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2024

    Media Advisor to Himachal Pradesh CM Naresh Chauhan, said that the BJP wanted to make this a Hindu-Muslim issue but it was a question of law and order. “All the people that have gathered, I know them personally. These 20-25 people are BJP workers and they have contested elections on BJP tickets… The BJP wants to make this a national issue but the reality is that this is not a Hindu-Muslim issue. It is a law and order situation and the law will take its course… The CM has said that any action that needs to be taken related to any unauthorised construction, will be taken… Some people who see a political opportunity in this will not get support… The government has said that they will keep a track record of the people coming from outside, to make sure that there are no bad elements,” Naresh Chauhan said.

    देवभूमि में अतिक्रमण पर आक्रोश, देखिए ग्राउंड कवरेज #HimachalPradeshPolice #ShimlaMasjid #Protest #MasjidCase | @pratyushkkhare @SamikshaRana16 pic.twitter.com/6fqUKUDqR0
    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) September 11, 2024

    Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh Assembly Jairam Thakur slammed the Sukhu government saying that the state was delaying action against the alleged illegal construction. “Himachal Pradesh is a peaceful state. There have hardly been any community conflicts here. But, now the situation that has emerged, the government should have taken active measures against it, and people are agitated because of the delay. The sentiments of the Hindus and the local people must be respected… Imposing BNSS 163 is an attempt to suppress the voice of the people… There should be peaceful protests within the limits of the law. I urge the government that if it is an unauthorised construction, then this problem should be solved soon,” Jairam Thakur said.

  • Rains Wreak Havoc In Himachal Pradesh, 135 Roads Closed |

    Himachal Weather: Heavy rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh as 135 roads remained closed in the state following landslides and flash floods. Reports of damages due to heavy rains, landslides and flash floods have poured in Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba and Sirmaur districts but no casualty was reported. The Lahaul and Spiti police have issued an advisory for residents and travellers to exercise extreme caution and not to cross Jahalman nallah where the water level is rising rapidly. The regional Met office has also issued an ‘orange’ alert, warning for heavy to very rainfall at isolated places in in five districts of Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning on Saturday and a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain throughout the state till August 16.

    Heavy rains lashed parts of the state with Nahan in Sirmaur recording the highest rainfall of 168.3 mm since Friday evening, followed by 106.4 mm in Sandhole, 93.2 mm in Nagrota Surian, 67 mm in Dhaulakuan, 62.2 mm in Jubbarhatti and 45.6 mm in Kandaghat. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 135 roads including 42 in Sirmaur, 37 in Kullu, 29 in Mandi, 17 in Shimla, five in Kangra, four in Kinnaur, one in Lahaul and Spiti district are closed while 24 power and 56 water supply schemes have been disrupted due to the rains. The MeT department also warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk in isolated parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur and Shimla districts till Sunday morning.The weather department has cautioned of the possibility of damage to plantations, crops, vulnerable structures and ‘kutcha’ houses due to strong winds and waterlogging in low-lying areas.

    Meanwhile, rescue operations to trace about 30 people who went missing after the flash floods triggered by cloudburst in Kullu, mandi and Shimla district on July 31 midnight continued on Saturday but there was no major success.So far, 28 bodies have been recovered in this tragedy, officials said. In view of an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rain in Hamirpur district on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner Amarjit Singh appealed to the residents to take precautions and avoid going near rivers and streams.

    He also asked people to not take shelter under trees in bad weather and maintain a safe distance from power wires.More than 100 people have been killed in rain-related incidents and the state has suffered losses of about Rs 842 crores between June 27 and August 9, officials added. The rainfall deficit in the state during the monsoon that began on June 1 stood at 28 per cent till August 10 with Himachal Pradesh receiving 328.8 mm rain against an average of 455.5 mm.Kukumseri in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district was coldest at night recording a low of 13.2 degree Celsius while Una was hottest during the day recording a high of 33.7 degree Celsius.

  • Himachal Crisis Live Updates: Congress Rebel MLAs Take Chopper Route To Shimla |

    In Himachal Pradesh, the political turmoil is being claimed by the BJP. This morning, a delegation of BJP MLAs including Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to make him aware of the developments that took place in the last few days. It includes denial of cut motions and division voting on the finance bill and cross-voting by the Congress MLAs in the Rajya Sabha election. Despite claiming the support of around 45 MLAs including independents, the Congress got just 34 votes. A cross-voting by the Congress and independent MLAs saw the BJP tally going up to 34 despite having just 25 seats. 

    10.10 AM: Six Congress Himachal Pradesh’s legislators who cross voted in Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday and were staying at a hotel in Haryana left for Shimla in a helicopter for the Budget Session of the state assembly on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had claimed that opposition leaders were obstructing the work of counting officials, and that “5-6 Congress MLAs were taken away in a convoy of the CRPF and Haryana Police.”

    #WATCH | Haryana: Chopper boarded by Himachal Pradesh MLAs, takes off from Panchkula. https://t.co/2R5baFaAbZ pic.twitter.com/IqXBrvhweT
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    9.40 AM: Himachal Pradesh BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that the BJP will form a government in the state. “BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers…The situation is going to change in the next few hours and you will see BJP will form its govt soon…For the next 10-20 years, Congress is not going to come to power here…” he said.

    #WATCH | HP BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan – who won the Rajya Sabha Elections says, “BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers…The situation is going to change in the… pic.twitter.com/2aPmfIhOrU
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    9.25 AM: Himachal Pradesh BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that BJP is the game-changer in the politics. “People are upset with the Sukhu government. All good leaders are joining BJP. It is a future party…There has been cross-voting. On today’s date, Congress has lost its majority in the state. This Govt is not going to last for long…” he said.

    08.50 AM: Watch: BJP Delegation led by LoP Jairam Thakur Meets Himachal Governor

    #WATCH | Shimla: Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur along with BJP’s legislative party met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/ZmnpXI2mxm
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    BJP Meets Governor

    BJP has claimed that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government in the state has lost its majority. Before meeting the governor today, former CM ahd LoP Jairam Thakur said, “We will apprise the Governor about what happened in the Assembly. We demanded division during the vote on the financial bill, it wasn’t allowed. The House was adjourned twice. This is not right, it has never happened in Himachal Pradesh. The government has lost the moral right to stay in power.”

    Number Game

    In the 2022 Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, the Congress emerged victorious with 40 seats out of the 68-member house. Additionally, the party secured the backing of three independent MLAs.  The majority mark is 35. The BJP, on the other hand, attained 25 seats. There is speculation that if Congress loses the support of nine MLAs, its count would decrease to 31 MLAs.

    Options With Congress

    If the BJP demands a trust vote, the Assembly speaker may disqualify the rebel Congress MLAs as they not only violated party’s whip but also indulged in anti-party activity by cross voting. In that case, the majority mark will come down benefitting the Congress. 

    Congress MLAs In Panchkula

    After yesterday’s cross-voting, many Congress MLAs are in Panchkula along with some BJP MLAs. Zee News TV also reported that many Congress MLAs are upset with CM Sukhu and have urged the party’s high command to change the Chief Minister. However, they left for Shimla in a helicoptre to attend the budget session.

    Congress Rushes Observers

    After the cross-voting led to the defeat of the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha, the grand old party rushed two observers – Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar – to Shimla. They will meet the MLAs and the Chief Minister to bring the situation under control and prevent the collapse of the Sukhu government.

  • Rajya Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Khela In Uttar Pradesh And Karnataka? 15 Seats Up For Grabs In 3 States |

    Rajya Sabha elections in three states are going to be held on Tuesday with 15 seats up for grabs in three states – Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The polls are anticipated to be highly competitive for three seats in two states governed by the Congress and one seat in Uttar Pradesh. Due to the fear of cross-voting in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, the Congress and Samajwadi Party are keeping a close eye on their MLAs. 

    Resort Politics In Karnataka

    Ruling Congress in Karnataka has relocated its MLAs to a hotel to safeguard them from external pressures. On Monday, the Congress shifted all its MLAs to a hotel, marking the beginning of the state’s trademark resort politics. All parties have issued whips to their MLAs ahead of today’s election. On Monday, Janardhan Reddy, Karnataka MLA and chief of Kalyana Karnataka Pragati Paksha, met CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar after he announced his support for Congress in the Rajya Sabha election. This further solidifies Congress’s winning chances. 

    While the Congress had a smooth path in securing four of Karnataka’s three seats due to its numerical strength, the BJP-Janata Dal Secular alliance complicated matters by nominating a second candidate. If there were four candidates, each would need 45 votes to win; however, in the case of additional candidates, preference votes would come into play. The Congress with 135 MLAs has the exact number to elect its three candidates, Ajay Maken, Nasir Hussain and G C Chandrashekhar.

    The entry of multi-millionaire real estate baron, D Kupendra Reddy, a Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP candidate has turned the elections to the fourth seat into a keen contest. Reddy, who declared Rs 1,200 crore assets in his election affidavit, has been fielded by the JD(S)-BJP combine. Reddy is confident that he will get the votes to win the election. Earlier, the Congress has complained that MLAs are being blackmailed to vote for Kupendra Reddy. A Congress delegation filed a complaint with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. The BJP has 66 MLAs, which means it can easily get its main candidate, party worker Narayansa Bhandage, elected. Combined with the 19 JD(S) MLAs, the BJP-JDs second candidate Kupendra Reddy will need to get support of three Independents and get at least three Congress MLAs to cross-vote if he wants to win.

    Khela In Uttar Pradesh

    In Uttar Pradesh, the cross-voting fear has gripped the Samajwadi Party but the leading opposition party has maintained that all is well. According to Zee News TV sources, 8 to 10 of the Samajwadi Party MLAs may vote for the BJP alliance. The ruling BJP and SP had sufficient support to secure the unopposed election of seven and three members to the Rajya Sabha, respectively. However, the BJP escalated the competition by nominating Sanjay Seth, a former SP member and industrialist, as its eighth candidate. To secure an election, a candidate from the state requires approximately 37 first-preference votes.

    Ahead of voting, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hoped that all three candidates of his party will win despite the BJP’s tactics. “BJP will do everything possible for victory. Some of our leaders who want personal gains can go to the BJP,” said Yadav expressing apprehension of the cross-voting.

    The SP has put forward Jaya Bachchan, an actor-MP, retired IAS officer Alok Ranjan, and Dalit leader Ramji Lal Suman. This decision has reportedly caused a rift with ally Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) leader Pallavi Patel, who expressed disagreement with the choice of Bachchan and Ranjan and stated she would abstain from voting.

    Congress’s Whip To MLAs In Himachal 

    In Himachal Pradesh, the actions taken were not as extreme as in Karnataka. The party has warned its MLAs about the election of its lone Rajya Sabha seat.  The focal point of the Congress’ contest in the state is its senior leader, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, pitted against the BJP’s core committee member, Harsh Mahajan. The Congress enjoys a clear majority with 40 MLAs, while the BJP has 25 members. Three MLAs, including two BJP rebels, identify as independents. Sources indicate that the BJP is currently seeking to woo dissatisfied Congress MLAs. 

    41 MPs Elected Unopposed

    Elections were due for 56 Rajya Sabha seats but since 41 leaders were elected unopposed including former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Ashok Chavan, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L Murugan, the elections are being held for 15 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.

  • Meet Vikramaditya Singh, The Himachal Congress Leader Who Defied Party To Attend Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha In Ayodhya |

    AYODHYA: In a surprising move, Vikramaditya Singh, a prominent Congress leader and minister in the Himachal Pradesh government, went against his party’s official stance on the Ram Temple inauguration. Despite top Congress leaders boycotting the event, Singh visited the holy city of Ayodhya to partake in the auspicious ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol on Monday.

    A Lone Stand: Himachal Pradesh Declares Half-Day Amid Congress Resistance

    Interestingly, Himachal Pradesh, the sole Congress-ruled state, took a distinctive step by declaring a half-day for all state government workers, showcasing a unique departure from the party’s overall stance.

    Vikramaditya Singh: The Rebel Congress Leader Who Became A ‘State Guest’ In UP

    Vikramaditya Singh, the son of current Himachal Congress chief Pratibha Singh, made headlines as he reached Lucknow from Chandigarh on Sunday. Despite being a Congress leader, he was treated as a ‘state guest’ by the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government.

    ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Opportunity: Singh On Ayodhya Visit

    Earlier on January 8, Singh expressed that attending the Ayodhya ceremony was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” This came amidst the Congress top brass deciding to stay away from the event, denouncing it as a ‘BJP/RSS event.’

    Congress Leaders Shun Ayodhya Invite

    On January 10, senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declined the invitation, citing the BJP’s attempt to score political points with the ceremony. The Congress labelled the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony as an “RSS and BJP event,” emphasizing their commitment to the 2019 Supreme Court judgment while respecting the sentiments of Lord Ram’s devotees.

    Vikramaditya Singh: Political Scion’s Background And Journey

    Vikramaditya Singh, born in 1989, represents the Shimla Rural constituency as an MLA. Hailing from a political family, he is the son of the late ex-CM Virbhadra Singh, and his mother, Pratibha Singh, currently serves as the MP from Mandi and is the state Congress chief.

    A post-graduate in History from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, Singh served as the chief of the state youth Congress from 2013 to 2017. With two consecutive victories in the elections of 2017 and 2023, he continues to make a mark in Himachal Pradesh politics.

    PM Modi Leads Pran Pratishtha Rituals

    The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed a moment of divine significance as the idol of Ram Lalla was unveiled at the Shri Ram Janmaboomi Temple, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the sacred Pran Pratishtha ceremony on Monday. In the sanctum sanctorum of the grand temple, PM Modi conducted the rituals, creating an atmosphere infused with deep devotion. PM Modi performed the ‘aarti’ of the Ram Lalla idol at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. He also performed ‘parikrama’ of the deity and did ‘dandvat pranam’. He also took blessings from ‘sadhus’.

    The childhood form of Lord Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed in the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor of the temple. The ceremony was marked by Indian Air Force (IAF) choppers showering flower petals over the temple premises during the unveiling of the idol.

    Presence Of Distinguished Dignitaries

    RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath graced the ceremony, chanting ‘Jai Sri Ram’ along with devotees. Over 8,000 guests attended the ceremony, representing various spiritual and religious sects, including tribal communities. Prime Minister Modi addressed the distinguished gathering and interacted with shramjeevis associated with the temple’s construction.

    Architectural Marvel Of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir

    The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, constructed in traditional Nagara style, stands magnificently with a length of 380 feet, width of 250 feet, and height of 161 feet. It boasts 392 pillars, 44 doors, and intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities.

    The main entrance on the eastern side, accessed by ascending 32 stairs through Singh Dwar, leads to five Mandaps (Halls). Notable features include Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap. The historic Well (Sita koop) and the restored ancient Mandir of Bhagwan Shiv at Kuber Tila add to the cultural richness.

    Innovative Construction Methods

    The Mandir’s foundation, crafted with a 14-meter-thick layer of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), gives it the appearance of artificial rock. The absence of iron and the use of traditional indigenous technology showcase the uniqueness of the construction. A 21-foot-high plinth of granite safeguards against ground moisture.

    Modern Amenities In Traditional Ambiance

    The Mandir complex boasts a sewage treatment plant, water treatment plant, water supply for fire safety, and an independent power station, seamlessly blending modern amenities with traditional architecture.