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SC pulls up UP govt for not consulting ASI in framing vision document for Taj Mahal

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SC pulls up UP govt for not consulting ASI in framing vision document for Taj Mahal

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Supreme Court on Thursday, July 26, expressed displeasure at Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh for filing a draft report of the vision document on protection of Taj Mahal.

The top court asked, “Are we supposed to vet it?”

It also expressed surprise why the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for the protection of Taj Mahal, was not consulted in framing draft vision document, said media reports.

“Surprising that ASI, responsible for the protection of Taj Mahal, not consulted in framing draft vision document,” said the court.

It also directed the Centre and state government to identify a specific authority to take charge of the maintenance of the Taj Mahal and the redevelopment of the Taj Trapezium Zone, an area around the monument to protect it from pollution.

“It seems that authorities have washed their hands off the Taj. We are in a situation where a vision document is prepared without the involvement of the ASI,” Justice Madan B Lokur was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The UP government had on Wednesday presented a draft vision document for protection and preservation of Taj Mahal, proposing measures like the declaration of the precincts of the 17th-century monument a no-plastic zone and winding up of polluting industries in Taj Trapezium Zone, said media reports.

The State said even use of bottled water should be prohibited, with special emphasis on eco-friendly tourism hubs.

The other measures suggested included promotion of small-scale cottage industries and restricting the increase in polluting and private vehicles.

The draft recommended a comprehensive traffic management plan along the Yamuna river front aimed at promoting pedestrian movement in the Taj heritage precinct. Further, there should be no construction on the Yamuna floodplain and the riverbank should only have natural plantations.

The government submitted that the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, was conducting an assessment of air pollution levels in and around the mausoleum and Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), and they would give their report within four months.

The TTZ is an area of about 10,400 sq km spread across the districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur of Rajasthan[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1532597912192{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #ffa500 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, July 25 asked his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath to resign if his government was not able to take care of the Taj Mahal.

Kejriwal’s criticism came after the UP government in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court suggested that the monument could be brought under the “Adopt a Heritage Scheme” of the Centre.

The scheme allows employing private and public companies for providing cleanliness and civic amenities at heritage monuments.

“Then let a company adopt CM chair also? If BJP can’t maintain one monument, BJP shud resign,” Kejriwal tweeted.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The SC bench headed by Justice Lokur had on July 11 slammed the Centre, the UP government and other authorities for the “apathy” and “lethargy” in their efforts to preserve and restore the Taj Mahal on July 11 and said it should either be shut down or demolished.

It said, “You can shut down the Taj. You can demolish it if you like, and you can also do away with it if you have already decided.” “We want you to give us an action plan of what you propose to do. We will hear it and finally dispose it. If it has to be shut down, let it be shut,” said the bench which is monitoring measures to preserve the Taj.

Tourism Minister KJ Alphons recommended entrusting a private company with the task of restoring the Taj Mahal under the government’s Adopt-a-Heritage scheme, according to a report in The Indian Express.

“A large number of monuments are on the list under the scheme and Taj is also on the list. If Colosseum in Rome can be adopted and managed by a footwear company why not the Taj?” he said when asked about the status of the Mughal monument under the scheme.

The apex court has been monitoring the development in the area to protect the UNESCO world heritage structure built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1643.

The court had asked why only four ambient air quality monitoring stations were set up at Agra, against the 22 required. It directed the Centre to file an affidavit giving details of what has already been done for the protection of the Taj and what the government intended to do further.

The Bench said since the matter had been pending for long, it would take up the issue on a day-to-day basis from July 31.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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