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India to ferry Haj pilgrims to Jeddah via sea route: Naqvi

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8 years ago

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India to ferry Haj pilgrims to Jeddah via sea route: Naqvi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has also confirmed that Muslim women in India can now travel for Haj, without a ‘Mehram’ (male guardian).

Signing the annual Haj agreement between India and Saudi Arabia in Mecca, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday, January 8, said that Saudi Arabia has given its nod to India’s plan to revive the option to send pilgrims via sea route to Jeddah.

In a statement released after the two countries signed the annual bilateral agreement, Naqvi said, “Saudi Arabia has given its nod to revive the option of sending pilgrims by sea route… Officials from both the countries will discuss all the necessary formalities and technicalities so that Haj pilgrimage through sea route can be started in the coming years.”

Stating that the fresh decision to send pilgrims through sea routes would be a “revolutionary, pro-poor, pilgrim-friendly decision, Naqvi said that the travel route by ships will help cut down expenses significantly. While the travel route from Mumbai to Jeddah through waterways existed earlier too, the practice of ferrying pilgrims by ships stopped from 1995.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]In another major announcement, the Union Minister has asserted that Muslim women in the country – for the first time in the history – can travel for Haj, without a ‘Mehram’ (male guardian).

“For the first time, Muslim women from India will go to Haj without ‘Mehram’ (male companion). Separate accommodation and transport has been arranged for these women. Women ‘Haj Assistant’ will be deployed for their assistance,” said Naqvi.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]With more than 1300 Mulim women in India having applied to go for Haj without a male guardian, Naqvi asserted that these women will be exempted from the lottery system and will be allowed to travel to Jeddah. According to the new Haj policy of India, women of the age of over 45 years will be allowed to go for Haj without a Mehram – if they wish to take no companion.

The bilateral agreement in connection with this year’s Haj has been signed between Naqvi and Saudi Arabia’s Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Muhammad Benten. Reportedly, the meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Haj Dr Abdul Fattah Mashat, Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed, Consul General Md Noor Rahman Sheikh and other senior officials.

Earlier on December 31 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi – while delivering the year’s last radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ – said that Muslim women wanted but could not go to Haj as the rules mentioned that they need to be accompanied by a male guardian.

Stating that Muslim women should be excluded from the lottery system of Haj, Modi said, “It had come to our notice that if a Muslim woman wants to go on Haj, she must have a ‘Mehram’ or a male guardian, otherwise, she cannot travel. It was discriminatory, we have changed this rule and this year around 1300 women applied to go without a male guardian.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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.

Published

9 hours ago

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June 16, 2026

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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.

Published

10 hours ago

on

June 16, 2026

By

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.

Published

1 day ago

on

June 15, 2026

By

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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