The Congress party is set to kick off its ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan’ across all blocks, districts, and states on January 3, 2025. This initiative will culminate in a public rally at Mhow on January 26, 2025.

Originally scheduled for December 27, the launch of the campaign was postponed following the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 26, which prompted a seven-day mourning period in his memory.

The decision to proceed with this campaign was made during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Belagavi on December 26. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that the implementation of the CWC’s December 26 resolution was put on hold for a week as a sign of “deep respect” for Singh.

“It will take time to accept his absence,” Ramesh stated. He added, “Nonetheless, the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan will commence on January 3, 2025, leading up to the rally in Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace, Mhow, on January 26, 2025. This date also marks the 75th anniversary of the Constitution of India and the establishment of the Republic of India.”

The CWC’s resolution emphasized the Congress party’s strong commitment to safeguarding the Constitution and the principles of the Indian Independence Movement. Consequently, the Congress will initiate the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan campaign with a rally in Belagavi on December 27, which will then progress to rallies and marches in every block, district, and state throughout the month.

In light of the pressing need to uphold the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and the Constitution, the campaign will extend beyond January 26. Furthermore, the CWC announced that from January 26, 2025, to January 26, 2026, the Congress will conduct a comprehensive nationwide public outreach program called the Samvidhan Bachao Rashtriya Padayatra, with participation from all party leaders.

“This padayatra will involve a relay-style march from village to village and township to township,” the CWC stated. Lastly, an All India Congress Committee (AICC) session is scheduled to take place in Gujarat in the first half of April 2025.

India on Wednesday urged Pakistan to accelerate the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called on Pakistan to grant immediate consular access to 18 individuals—both civilian prisoners and fishermen—currently in its custody, who are believed to be Indian. This plea was made in connection with the regular exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen outlined in a 2008 agreement, which both countries practice on January 1 and July 1 each year.

India has provided Pakistan with the names of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. In turn, Pakistan has shared the names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen it holds, who are Indian or believed to be Indian.

According to MEA, “Similarly, Pakistan has shared names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian.”

The Indian government emphasized the need for the prompt release and repatriation of these Indian fishermen and prisoners, along with their boats, as well as missing Indian defense personnel held by Pakistan.

The MEA highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen while they await their release and repatriation.

India has reiterated its commitment to addressing humanitarian issues, particularly those involving prisoners and fishermen from both nations. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process for 76 suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in its custody, whose repatriation is currently stalled pending confirmation of their nationality.

“In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 76 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India’s custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan,” it said.

The MEA noted that, thanks to continued efforts by the Indian government, since 2014, a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan. This includes 478 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners who have returned from Pakistan since the beginning of 2023.

On Wednesday, a tragic accident occurred in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, where three individuals from Rajasthan lost their lives and twelve others were injured after a bus collided with a tanker.

The incident took place around 1:30 a.m. on a national highway near Soneth village in Suigam taluka. According to in-charge police inspector H.M. Patel, the bus was en route to Rajkot from Rajasthan when it collided head-on with the tanker.

“Three bus passengers died on the spot and 12 others were rushed to nearby hospitals where they are undergoing treatment,” he said.

All the deceased were male in the age group of 30 to 45 years, and hailed from Balotra in Rajasthan, Patel said.

All three victims were male, aged between 30 and 45 years, and were from Balotra, Rajasthan. They died at the scene, and the injured passengers were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The bus was on its way to Rajkot in Gujarat from Rajasthan when it collided head-on with a tanker, he said.

In a separate incident in Bhavnagar district, six people were killed, and approximately ten others sustained injuries when a private bus collided with a dumper truck on December 17, 2024.

This accident occurred near Trapaj village around 6 a.m. as the bus was traveling towards Mahuva from Bhavnagar. The bus hit the dumper truck from behind, resulting in severe damage to the front right portion of the vehicle.

Fortunately, the injured from this incident were reported to be out of danger after receiving medical attention.