Veteran poet, writer, journalist, and film producer Pritish Nandy, who made significant contributions across media, cinema, and the arts, passed away on January 8, 2025, at the age of 73. The sad news was confirmed by his son, filmmaker Kushan Nandy, to SCREEN.

Born in 1951 in Bihar, Pritish Nandy’s career spanned several decades, establishing him as a revered figure in Indian cinema and the literary world. Over the years, he became known for his exceptional work in the fields of journalism, poetry, and film production. His vast array of accomplishments earned him prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri in 1977, the KarmaVeer Puraskaar in 2008, the Ramnath Goenka Memorial Award in 2005, and the International Humanitarian Award in 2012, among others.

Nandy’s work in the film industry, particularly during the early 2000s, left an indelible mark. He produced several successful films under his banner, Pritish Nandy Communications, including Sur, Kaante, Jhankaar Beats, Chameli, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, and Pyaar Ke Side Effects. His production company continued to contribute to the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment, producing popular shows like Four More Shots Please and Modern Love Mumbai in recent years.

Throughout his career, Pritish Nandy’s contributions to Indian cinema were widely celebrated, and his work has inspired countless filmmakers, actors, and creatives across the country. Following his passing, many Bollywood celebrities took to social media to express their condolences and fond memories. Veteran actor Anupam Kher shared an emotional tribute, reminiscing about his time spent with Nandy and his lasting influence on the industry.

Pritish Nandy’s legacy as a creative force in Indian arts and media will undoubtedly endure for years to come, leaving a lasting impact on those who knew him and worked alongside him.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal called for the inclusion of Delhi’s Jat community in the Centre’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) list during a press conference on Thursday. The former Delhi Chief Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of misleading the Jat community for the past decade and failing to uphold their promises.

Kejriwal stated, “In 2015, the BJP invited Jat leaders to the prime minister’s residence and assured them that the Delhi Jat community would be added to the Central OBC list. Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a similar promise in 2019. However, there has been no action to fulfill these commitments.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP have committed a significant deception. The Delhi government has its own OBC list, which includes the Jaat community. However, the central government’s OBC list does not recognize Delhi’s Jaat community. As a result, when students from this community attempt to gain admission to any central government university or seek positions in central government bodies such as the Delhi Police or DDA, they are denied reservations,” Kejriwal stated during a press conference.

He raised concerns about the disparity in benefits, questioning why Jat students from Rajasthan receive reservations at Delhi University (DU) while those from Delhi do not. “Thousands of Jat children in Delhi are unable to gain admission to DU because they are not included in the Central OBC list,” Kejriwal explained.

Kejriwal further alleged that although the Jat community in Delhi is recognized as OBC at the state level, the Central government refuses to extend those benefits. “This is nothing short of betrayal. The Centre must include Delhi’s Jat community in the OBC list to ensure they receive reservations for jobs and college admissions in Central government institutions,” he asserted.

He added, “Central agencies such as the MCD, DDA, and PWD have extensive operations in Delhi, and including Jats in the OBC list would create significant opportunities for them.”

In response, BJP leader Kailash Gahlot questioned Kejriwal’s sudden interest in the Jat community, saying, “I want to ask Arvind Kejriwal why he is only now concerned about Jats. He showed no regard for them over the past ten years, and now, as he faces the threat of losing the election to a Jat candidate, he remembers them.”

Elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are scheduled for February 5, with vote counting taking place on February 8.

A 55-year-old farmer named Resham Singh, from Pahuwind in Tarn Taran district, reportedly attempted suicide while protesting at the Shambhu border on Thursday, according to farmer leaders. This marks the second such incident at the protest site in three weeks. Resham Singh was taken to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where he later passed away, as confirmed by fellow farmers.

Farmer leader Tejvir Singh stated that Resham Singh was disheartened by the Central government’s failure to address their long-standing demands during their ongoing protest for guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. This incident follows another tragic case on December 18, when another farmer, Ranjodh Singh, took his own life at the same border point. Ranjodh Singh had been troubled by the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November 26 at the Khanauri border.

Farmers, organized under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been encamped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their planned march to Delhi was halted by security forces.

In December 2024, the Standing Committee of Parliament on Agriculture, led by Congress leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, echoed the longstanding demand for a legally guaranteed MSP for agricultural crops. Their report, presented in Parliament, stated that such a policy step could help alleviate the crisis of farmer suicides. The panel also recommended increasing the PM-KISAN scheme’s support from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 per year and extending these seasonal incentives to tenant farmers and agricultural laborers.

The committee highlighted that MSP remains a critical issue in discussions about agricultural reform and farmer welfare in India. They argued that implementing a legally binding MSP is essential for protecting farmers’ livelihoods, promoting rural economic growth, and enhancing national food security. The report emphasized that the benefits of implementing MSP outweigh its challenges.

Recently, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar dismissed claims that higher MSP would lead to inflation, stating, “Whatever price we give to the farmer, the nation will benefit five times over, there is no doubt about it.”

The panel stressed that legalizing MSP would invigorate economic activity in farming regions, benefiting local economies and businesses. Guaranteed income through MSP would encourage farmers to invest in their agricultural practices, boosting productivity and sustainability. This investment, in turn, would contribute to long-term food security in the nation. The report concluded by urging the Centre to establish a roadmap for implementing MSP as a legal guarantee as soon as possible.