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BJP’s Varun Gandhi bats for Rohingya asylum, Govt says his view is “against national interest”

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8 years ago

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Varun Gandhi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Son of Union minister Maneka Gandhi and MP from Sultanpur, Varun called for “empathy, leading potentially to asylum” for Rohingya refugees

Days after the Centre told the Supreme Court that it considered Rohingya refugees from Myanmar as “illegal immigrants” and a “threat to national security”, Varun Gandhi, BJP MP from Sultanpur and son of Union women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi, called for empathy for the persecuted ethnic minority and grant of asylum to them by India.

Predictably, Varun’s party that now rules the country and never fails to assert that it is the only guardian of India’s integrity and interest isn’t happy.

Varun had in an editorial for Hindi daily Navbharat Times digressed from his party and the Centre’s official line on the Rohingya refugees and demanded that the near 40000 members of the ethnic minority that have fled their homes to India should not be deported to Myanmar.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is currently embroiled in a legal battle in the Supreme Court over a petition filed by two Rohingya refugees. The Centre has been pushing for deportation of all Rohingya refuges back to Myanmar at a time when the international community has been slamming the effort along with the continued killings of the ethnic minority in its homeland.

Clearly unhappy with Varun’s comments on the issue, Union minister of state for home affairs, Hansraj Ahir, said that the Sultanpur MP’s views were “against national interest”.

Varun’s editorial made a sound argument for granting asylum to Rohingya refugees in India. He cited several international sources to describe the Rohingya refugees as victims of foreign policy and domestic politics. The 37-year-old MP also contradicted the Centre’s stand – that since India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention treaty it doesn’t need to grant asylum to Rohingyas – and said that India has subscribed to the regional SAARC Terrorism Protocol treaty, where Article 17 says that the country will not deport anyone who may be persecuted due to their faith.

However, Ahir dismissed Varun’s argument, saying: “Anyone who cares about national interest will never give such a statement.”

The Sultanpur MP then took to Twitter to put across his view on the issue but did not succumb to the pressure from Ahir’s comments.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]It wasn’t just the BJP government that was unhappy with Varun over his comments. The government’s huge army of sympathizers – trolls on Twitter – was agitated too and attacked the BJP MP.

Jagrati Shukla, the former Zee Media employee who had made extremely derogatory and unsavoury remarks about senior journalist Gauri Lankesh when she was murdered in Bengaluru recently and also against those who were protesting against the killing, didn’t let the BJP down and hit out at Varun.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Thick smog engulfs Delhi, flights and trains delayed as air quality slips to very poor

Delhi remained under a thick smog cover as air quality dipped into the very poor category, causing delays in flights and train services due to low visibility.

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6 hours ago

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December 20, 2025

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delhi-air-quality

A dense blanket of smog covered Delhi on Saturday morning, pushing air quality into the ‘very poor’ category and disrupting flight and train operations across the national capital and adjoining areas. Reduced visibility due to smog led to delays in air and rail traffic, while authorities warned that pollution levels could worsen further in the coming days.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ bracket. Visuals from Bhairav Marg near Pragati Maidan showed motorists using headlights during early hours, as visibility remained low. At around 7 am, the AQI at this location stood at 433.

Nearly half of Delhi’s air quality monitoring stations reported ‘severe’ pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 428 with PM2.5 as the dominant pollutant, while Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 425.

Transport services hit by low visibility

Flight operations at Delhi airport were impacted due to low visibility conditions. The airport issued an advisory asking passengers to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information, as low visibility procedures were in place. Runway visibility was reported to be between 800 and 1,200 metres.

Live flight tracking data showed multiple flights running behind schedule. One airline also warned passengers about possible disruptions at several airports in northern and eastern India, including Delhi, due to dense fog conditions. Travellers were advised to verify flight status before heading to the airport, with options offered on select flights to reschedule or seek refunds without additional charges.

Rail services were also affected, with more than 30 trains running late by an average of three to four hours. Some long-distance trains reported delays of over six to eight hours, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling to and from the capital.

Air quality likely to worsen

The weather department had earlier forecast dense to very dense fog at isolated places over Delhi and several parts of north and central India. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, pollution levels are expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Saturday and may slip into the ‘severe’ category on Sunday and Monday. In view of the deteriorating conditions, an ‘orange’ alert has been issued for Saturday.

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PM Modi inaugurates India’s first nature-themed airport terminal in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new nature-themed terminal at Guwahati airport, the largest in Northeast India, built around bamboo, orchids and regional heritage.

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6 hours ago

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December 20, 2025

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PM modi in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati today, marking a major milestone for aviation infrastructure in the Northeast. Built at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,000 crore, the facility is being projected as the largest airport terminal in the region and a key boost to connectivity, tourism and economic activity in Assam.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati around 3 pm as part of his two-day visit to the state.

Northeast’s largest airport terminal takes shape in Guwahati

The newly constructed terminal is nearly seven times larger than the existing one and has been designed to cater to the region’s rapidly growing air traffic. Once fully operational, it is expected to handle up to 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032.

Officials said the terminal is planned as a regional connectivity hub, with a focus on strengthening air links between India and Southeast Asia. The airport will be capable of handling up to 34 air traffic movements per hour, the highest capacity among airports in the Northeast. The facility will also be equipped with one of the most advanced Instrument Landing Systems to support safer and more efficient operations.

Nature-inspired design rooted in Assam’s identity

What sets the Guwahati terminal apart is its distinctive nature-themed architecture. Conceptualised under the theme “Bamboo Orchids”, it is being described as India’s first airport terminal inspired entirely by natural and cultural elements.

The interiors draw from the landscapes of Northeast India, with design elements reflecting indigenous orchids, locally known as Kopou Phool, and the flow of the Brahmaputra river. The terminal incorporates more than 2,000 species of plants, includes a dedicated zone inspired by Kaziranga National Park, and features artefacts representing Majuli Island.

A key architectural highlight is the expansive bamboo vault, created using around 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced bamboo. The space has been envisioned as a multifunctional cultural centre aimed at encouraging community interaction and showcasing the region’s heritage. Design elements such as japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns further reinforce the cultural narrative.

Arriving passengers will also experience a unique “Sky Forest”, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, designed to create an immersive forest-like ambience within the terminal.

Focus on digital integration and passenger convenience

Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the integrated new terminal has been designed to handle around 1.3 crore passengers annually. It is supported by significant upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways.

The terminal places strong emphasis on digital integration, with 14 entry points, including four DigiYatra gates, aimed at easing passenger movement. Facilities such as full-body scanners for non-intrusive security checks, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations have been incorporated to ensure smoother travel experiences.

Other engagements during PM Modi’s Assam visit

During his two-day stay, the Prime Minister will also lay foundation stones for multiple development projects and address public gatherings. He is scheduled to visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay tribute to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement.

Later in the day, PM Modi will perform the bhoomipujan for a new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup in Dibrugarh district, within the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited.

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Assam train accident: Eight elephants killed after Rajdhani Express derailment in Hojai

Eight elephants were killed after the Rajdhani Express collided with a herd in Assam’s Hojai district, causing multiple coaches to derail and disrupting train services.

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6 hours ago

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December 20, 2025

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assam train accident

At least eight elephants were killed and a calf was injured after a herd collided with the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches early Saturday. Railway officials confirmed that no passengers were injured in the incident.

Forest department officials said the collision occurred when the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants on the tracks. The impact caused multiple coaches to derail, disrupting rail traffic on the busy route connecting the Northeast with the national capital.

Train services hit, passengers shifted to other coaches

Following the derailment, rail movement towards Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast was affected due to damaged coaches and elephant remains scattered on the tracks. Accident relief trains and senior railway officials rushed to the site to restore services.

Passengers travelling in the affected coaches were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths in other coaches of the same train. Officials said that once the train reaches Guwahati, additional coaches will be attached to ensure all passengers can continue their journey.

Collision occurred outside designated elephant corridor

According to officials, the accident took place at a location that is not marked as a designated elephant corridor. The loco pilot reportedly applied emergency brakes after spotting the herd on the tracks, but the elephants ran into the train, resulting in the collision and derailment.

Forest authorities confirmed that eight elephants died on the spot, while one injured calf was rescued. Local residents said the herd consisted of around eight elephants at the time of the accident.

Elephant deaths in train accidents remain a concern

The incident comes amid continued concerns over wildlife deaths on railway tracks. Data shared by the Environment Ministry in Parliament earlier showed that at least 79 elephants have died in train collisions across India over the past five years, based on reports from states and Union Territories.

The ministry has said that several preventive steps are being taken in coordination with the Railways, including speed restrictions in elephant habitats, use of sensor-based detection systems, and construction of underpasses, ramps and fencing at vulnerable locations. Guidelines and capacity-building programmes have also been introduced to reduce human-animal conflict along railway lines.

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