The Telangana government has issued a circular allowing Muslim employees to leave offices an hour early during the holy month of Ramzan. The move has been criticized by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which termed it "appeasement politics". The BJP questioned why similar measures are not extended during Hindu festivals. The ruling Congress party defended the decision, stating that such facilities are provided during various festivals and are not unique to Ramzan.
The Nizam was laid to rest at the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad with full State honours. Thousands of mourners took part in the funeral procession.
The move gains importance in the backdrop of the constitution of a house committee by the assembly speaker in July 2005 to probe into illegal occupation of properties of Christian missionaries and educational institutions in the state.
Andhra Pradesh government has conveyed the deep concern and apprehensions of the people of the state over the incidents of murders of the people belonging to the state in the United States of America. Mohammed Ali Shabbir, minister for energy, coal, minorities' welfare and non-resident Indians affairs convened a high level meeting on the instructions of the Chief Minster Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday.
"We will decide on appointment of security guards, training of volunteers, increasing the height of the compound wall and setting up metal detectors after holding discussions with religious leaders and police officers.
Even as the state's minority welfare minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir went to town admitting the lapse of the police for arresting and torturing 22 innocent youth in the aftermath of the blasts in Hyderabad last year and talked of paying Rs 30,000 each to rehabilitate them, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has ruled out any compensation.
According to them, though it may cost the party's power in Karnataka, the split in Janata Dal (Secular) will help the Congress regain its lead position in Karnataka politics in the long-run.
Dressed in traditional finery, Muslims across India offered prayers at mosques and eidgahs on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan.
More than six years after the Hyderabad Mecca Masjid blast and local police falsely implicating dozens of local Muslim youngsters, the case continues to haunt both the minority community as well as the Andhra Pradesh government.
Learning perhaps from the Kargil debacle, Musharraf tried hard to evolve as a statesman in his dealings with India, recalls Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.
A look at the star arrivals.
Sanam Teri Kasam is a good soundtrack, promises Aelina Kapoor.
The International Cricket Council released the provisional squads of the 12 teams for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Friday. However, co-hosts Australia and minnows Ireland decided against releasing the provisional list although they submitted 30 names to the parent body within the stipulated deadline.
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