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If I can’t stop namaz on roads then I have no right to stop Janmashthami in thanas: Yogi

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CM Yogi

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also bats for unruly kanwars and asserts that there can be no kanwar yatra without the beating of drums, song and dance, use of microphones

Stoking off yet another controversy, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said while addressing a public event in Lucknow, on Wednesday, that if he cannot stop the offering of namaz on roads during Eid, he has no right to stop celebration of Janmashtami at police stations.

The chief minister’s comments that have evoked a sharp retort from Opposition parties and various Islamic organizations come at a time when his government is already busy fending off attacks over the deaths of nearly 71 children at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) hospital in Gorakhpur due to lack of oxygen. Gorakhpur has been Adityanath’s constituency ever since he entered politics and he has represented the seat in Lok Sabha for five terms since 1998.

A known Hindutva hardliner, Adityanath said at the event jointly organised by the Prerna Jansanchar Evam Sidh Sansthan, Noida and Lucknow Jansanchar Evam Patrakarita Sansthan: “Agar mai sadak par Eid ke din namaz padhne pe rok nahi laga sakta to mujhe koi adhikar nahi ki mai thano mein janmashtami ke parv ko rokun.”

The chief minister said that when his officials recently red-flagged the use of microphones, DJs and music systems during the kanwar yatra – the annual pilgrimage of Shiv devotees  which in recent years has been in news for the law and order issues it causes – he told them to ensure that microphones are banned everywhere and no sound emanates from any place of worship.

However, Adityanath added that he also told the officers that if this ban cannot be uniformly implemented on all religious events and structures then it should not be applied to the kanwar yatra too.

“Maine prashasan se kaha… mere saamne ek aadesh paarit kariye… mike har jagah ke liye partibandhit hona chahiye… har jagah ban karo… aur yeh tay kariye ki kisi bhi dharmsthal mein… uski premises ke bahar, uski awaaz aani hi nahi chahiye… kya isko laagu kar payenge? Agar laagu nahin kar sakte hain to phir isko bhi hum laagu nahi hone denge… yatra chalegi,” the Yogi is learnt to have said.

Likening a kanwar yatra which has no music, dance and use of microphones with a funeral procession, Adityanath said: “Maine kaha ki ye kanwar yatra hai ya shav yatra?… Arrey woh kanwar yatra mein baaje nahin bajenge, damru nahin bajega, dhol nahin bajega, chimte nahin bajenge, log nachenge-gayenge nahin, mike nahi bajega to woh yatra kanwar yatra kaise hogi.”

(I asked if this was a kanwar yatra or a funeral procession. If they don’t play music and drums, don’t dance and sing, don’t use the mike, how will it be a kanwar yatra).

Stressing that he isn’t against the celebration of festivals of other faiths or the offering of namaz by Muslims, Adityanath said: “we are for everything…you can celebrate Christmas and no one will stop you. You can offer namaz too but within the premise of the law… if the law is broken then it leads to confrontation.”

Often at the receiving end of an attack from Opposition parties, social activists and liberal intellectuals for his ostensibly provocative speeches and comments, Adityanath said that “If I say that I take pride in saying I am a Hindu, I will be called communal” while adding that in Nepal, Mauritius or any other country where Hindus of Indian origin live, they feel proud to be called Hindus.

Targeting the previous Samajwadi Party government under former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav which the BJP comprehensively defeated in the assembly polls earlier this year, Adityanath said those who called themselves Yaduvanshis had banned the celebration of Janmashtami at police stations and police lines. He said he was of the belief that “prayers and kirtan may bring improvement in the police system”.

Zafaryab Jilani of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board criticised the chief minister’s comments, saying : “he (Adityanath) occupies a very important office and should now that the occupant of that office is not the representative of one religion… his comments are meant to create divisions within the society and not unite people…they are very unfortunate.”

The Congress party too has hit out at Adityanath not just for his comments but also for having recently ordered “grand celebrations” of Janmashtami across all police station of UP. “There has been a tragedy in the CM’s backyard …several children have died and are still dying at the BRD hospital but Adityanath is more concerned about Janmashtami celebrations and kanwar yatras,” said senior Congress leader and former MLA Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

Adityanath had courted controversy last week too when he ordered “grand but dignified celebrations” of Janmashtami across UP – including at police stations. The previous SP government had stopped celebrations of the festivals at police stations and other establishments that are meant to ensure law and order.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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