A caste recalibration is simmering just below the surface in UP.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk's health is rapidly deteriorating on his 17th day of hunger strike, prompting widespread appeals from prominent political figures and Bollywood celebrities for him to end his fast and for the government to address the urgent demands for NEET examination reforms.
Residents and pilgrims in Ayodhya are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust meeting, convened amidst serious allegations of embezzlement of temple donations. The controversy has led to a subdued public mood, concerns among devotees about the security of their offerings, and calls for strict action against those responsible, including "big people" behind the alleged scam. Security has been heightened as an SIT investigates and arrests have been made.
Here are who's who attending the wedding.
Ayodhya Police conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of eight individuals arrested in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple. The raids followed their remand to judicial custody, with police expected to seek custodial remand. The accused were involved in counting donations, and investigators have recovered Rs 79.85 lakh so far in a case registered under various sections including the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The family of Avinash Shukla, one of eight arrested in connection with the alleged theft of offerings from the Ram temple in Ayodhya, has stated he should be punished if guilty but receive justice if innocent. Shukla was involved in cash reconciliation, and Rs 20 lakh was reportedly recovered from him. The case follows allegations of embezzlement and an ongoing SIT investigation.
Ayodhya police have conducted fresh searches in the ongoing investigation into alleged donation embezzlement at the Ram temple, recovering a donation box with a QR code, cash, gold, silver, and foreign currency. The probe has also widened to include around 400 private security personnel.
Traffic congestion allegedly caused by Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president Durvijay Singh Shakya's roadshow triggered a political row in Budaun on Friday after several candidates claimed they missed the second shift of the state Teacher Eligibility Test.
Under the lens over serious lapses in the donation management system at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Govind Dev Giri, has said that all audit reports were "safe" and that he had no role in the daily donation collection process at the temple.
'SIT means nothing because the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh and Ram Janmabhoomi Trust are the same people.'
Ayodhya Police have taken Ram Shankar Yadav into custody following an FIR alleging embezzlement of donations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The complaint, lodged by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, names nine individuals and others for systematic theft and misappropriation of funds. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and its preliminary findings led to the FIR. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has vowed a 'zero-tolerance' policy and urged evidence submission to the SIT.
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial mismanagement and missing donations related to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. The move follows a request from the Trust itself, amidst escalating political demands for transparency from various parties including the Samajwadi Party and Congress.
Lawyers of the Faizabad Bar Association on Thursday took out a protest march here and submitted a police complaint seeking an FIR against Ram Mandir Trust general secretary Champat Rai, trust member Anil Mishra and temple official Gopal Rao over alleged embezzlement of donation funds.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai's statement has been recorded by Ayodhya police as part of the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple, following his offer to resign over the controversy.
The developments came after an FIR was registered in the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Eight individuals have been arrested in Ayodhya in connection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple. The arrests follow an FIR lodged by a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, based on recommendations from a Special Investigation Team. The accused were involved in counting cash and valuables and face charges including theft and criminal breach of trust.
Most of those named were involved with the donation-counting process.
Investigators recovered nearly Rs 80 lakh in cash and some foreign currency from six of the accused.
A funeral in Ghazipur turned chaotic when a crowd allegedly pelted stones at police, injuring several personnel. The incident occurred during the funeral of Kamlesh Bind, a criminal killed in a police encounter, with locals alleging it was a fake encounter. Police have vowed strict action, including potential NSA charges, against those involved in the disturbance.
BJP leaders and other political figures visited the family of Shivanand Chaurasia in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, who was among three Indian crew members killed in an attack on merchant ships off the Oman coast. They offered condolences and assured the family of government and party support. Shivanand, an engine fitter, was on a tanker targeted on June 10, and his body was recovered on Thursday.
A rebellion within the Trinamool Congress is expected to significantly increase the NDA's numbers in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, bringing the ruling alliance closer to a two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendments. This shift is driven by upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, TMC MP resignations, and potential support from defecting TMC Lok Sabha members.
The funeral of Prateek Yadav, son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, took place in Lucknow with thousands of supporters in attendance. Family members and political figures paid their respects.
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc met in New Delhi on Monday and decided to write to the chief justice of India on the Special Intesive Revision exercise and "vote loot", besides demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-CBSE row.
Police in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, have registered a case against Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan and her supporters for allegedly obstructing government work, blocking traffic, and violating prohibitory orders during a recent protest.
The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, a constituent of the Bhaatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, has staked claim to 32 seats for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with the aim to wrest the Samajwadi Party's stronghold of Azamgarh.
Former Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki and his associates have been booked on charges of assault and intimidation following a clash at a goat market in Kanpur. The incident has sparked tension in the area, with traders demanding police action.
Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and step brother of Akhilesh Yadav, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 38 after suddenly falling ill.
The Samajwadi Party has ended its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds, according to party president Akhilesh Yadav.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met TMC leader Mamata Banerjee to express solidarity after the TMC's defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections. The meeting highlights efforts by opposition parties to strategise and strengthen unity against the BJP.
Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and stepbrother of Akhilesh Yadav, has died in Lucknow at the age of 38. Although not involved in active politics, his wife Aparna Bisht Yadav is a member of the BJP.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has questioned Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and administrator Gopal Rao regarding allegations of donation money theft and financial mismanagement at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
A delegation of Dalit Congress leaders faces disciplinary action after an unscheduled visit to BSP chief Mayawati's residence in Lucknow, coinciding with Rahul Gandhi's visit and raising questions about party authorisation and alliance dynamics.
Police in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur have registered cases against the X handles of the Congress and Samajwadi Party for allegedly spreading rumours related to the death of a teenage girl.
Police in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur have registered cases against the X handles of the Congress and Samajwadi Party for allegedly spreading rumours related to the death of a teenage girl.
Top leaders of opposition parties including Congress' Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC's Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav of Rashtriya Janata Dal and Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, besides Left leaders and those from smaller parties, are likely to attend the meeting at the Constitution Club in the national capital.
The CPI(M) will attend the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday, with its MP John Brittas expected to raise concerns about allegations made by Congress leaders during the Kerala Assembly elections. The Left party is awaiting a clarification from the Congress regarding claims of a CPI(M)-BJP understanding, which it views as inconsistent with alliance cooperation.
A Lucknow-based jeweller has raised concerns about the untraceable status of a three-kg silver lamp and other silver items he and his association donated to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His claims come amidst allegations of fund embezzlement at the temple, prompting a state-level SIT investigation ordered by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP government of mistreating his party workers in Ghazipur, following allegations of sexual assault and murder of a 17-year-old girl. Yadav also criticised the police investigation and announced financial assistance to the victim's family.
Leaders from several opposition parties within the INDIA bloc convened in New Delhi, stressing the critical need for unity to safeguard democratic values and address pressing issues like people's livelihoods, despite recent internal differences and electoral setbacks.
A court in Uttar Pradesh sentenced Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan to two years in jail for making objectionable remarks against government officials during the 2019 Lok Sabha poll campaign.
