English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Govt won’t go against sentiments of people on Article 35A: Rajnath

Published

on

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Amid continued tensions in the Valley, Union home minister reiterates that he’s willing to talk to all stakeholders for resolving all problems of the state

Amid rising concerns among the people and political stakeholders in Kashmir over the Supreme Court’s forthcoming verdict on a petition that seeks quashing of Article 35A that gives the state some special rights, union home minister Rajnath Singh has assured that the Centre “will not go against the sentiments” of the Kashmiri people on the polarising issue.

Singh, who is on a four-day visit to the strife-torn northern state, spoke to the media in Srinagar on a range of issues including the possible abrogation of Article 35A, militancy in the Valley, need for confidence building measures and the Centre’s roadmap for restoring lasting peace in the region.

“I understand there is no scope for doubt or suspicion (on whether Article 35A will be quashed). Nowhere has the central government initiated anything with regard to this issue. We have not gone to court. I am not talking only about Article 35A. Whatever we do, whatever our government does, we will not do anything against the sentiments of the people here. We will respect them,” Singh said, replying to a volley of questions over the Centre’s stand on a petition in the Supreme Court that demands abrogation of Article 35A.

Article 35A is a provision in the Indian Constitution under Article 370 that grants special rights and privileges to the State and its citizens. While the BJP has traditionally been a votary of quashing the Article, the latest row over the issue began when the Centre informed the Supreme Court during arguments in a case that demands abrogation of the special constitutional provision that the matter requires a “larger debate”. The Centre’s submission was at variance with previous governments which had always insisted that Article 35A should not be diluted or quashed.

Singh’s clarification expectedly was welcomed by the two key Kashmiri political parties like the ruling PDP – with which the BJP is in alliance in the state – and the National Conference. Former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah of the NC said: “This is a very important statement from the Union home minister. His assurance will go a long way towards silencing the noises against Article 35A. The Union government must now file a counter affidavit in the Supreme Court to defend Article 35A. That is the way to carry this assurance forward.”

Govt won’t go against sentiments of people on Article 35A: Rajnath

Asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was willing to speak to separatists and leaders of the Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir to find a solution to the problems of the state, Singh said: “Whenever I have come here, I have come with an open heart and an open mind. I said I want to speak to everyone. People who have to talk should step forward.”

At a time when Kashmir was repeatedly witnessing major unrest among its civilian population, especially the youth, with recurring incidents of stone pelting and violent protests by them against the security forces deployed in the conflict areas of the Valley, Singh advocated for a more humanitarian approach towards stone pelters.

The union home minister said he had told the state government and security agencies not to be harsh with minors arrested for stone-pelting. “At the security review meeting, I told them, that small children, those under 18 years… many of them would have committed a crime, a mistake after coming under somebody’s influence. But they should not be treated like criminals. Whatever action you have to take against them should be under the Juvenile Justice Act. I also appeal to the stone-pelting youth to stay away from such activities.”

Singh, who had last month claimed that his government would find a permanent solution for the “Kashmir problem” by 2022, said that this solution would be based on “5 C’s – compassion, communication, co-existence, confidence-building and consistency”.

Talking tough on Pakistan and its role in spreading terror in Kashmir and other parts of the country, Singh said that while India had wanted good relations with its neighbour and made every effort to achieve them, the response from Pakistan “had not been what was expected”.

“What has the neighbour been doing… infiltrating terrorists. I want to tell Pakistan to stop infiltration,” Singh said.

Earlier, addressing displaced border villagers at a relief camp in Nowshera town in Rajouri district, Singh said that he had told the director general of Border Security Force (BSF) in 2014 that “we shouldn’t fire first but if they (Pakistani forces) fire even a single bullet then there should be no count of bullets from our side.”

Insisting that India “wasn’t weak anymore” under the leadership of Modi, the home minister said that the security forces in the Valley had been authorised to strike hard against Pakistan if the neighbour violates ceasefire or indulges in direct or indirect terror activity in the region.

“The situation has improved from what it was in 2014 after security forces were authorised to retaliate strongly. It will improve further in the days to come. Pakistan has no option but to stop ceasefire violations today or tomorrow. I assure all of you that situation will improve in the coming days,” he said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Bank holiday on September 14: Banks closed in these cities

Banks will remain closed on September 14 in nine cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, due to Ganesh Chaturthi and related festival observances.

Published

on

Bank holidays

The bank holiday on September 14 will affect branches in select cities across India as banks observe a regional holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi and related festival observances.

September 14, 2026, falls on a Monday and is listed as a holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Puja, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Vinayakar Chathurthi and Hartalika in certain banking centres.

Bank holiday on September 14: Full city-wise list

According to the holiday listings, bank branches will remain closed on September 14 in the following centres:

CityFestival/occasion
BelapurGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
BengaluruGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
BhubaneswarGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
ChennaiGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
HyderabadGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
MumbaiGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
NagpurGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
PanajiGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances
VijayawadaGanesh Chaturthi/Ganesh Puja/related observances

The holiday is therefore not applicable to bank branches across the entire country. Bank holidays in India vary by state and banking centre, depending on local festivals and occasions.

Why are banks closed on September 14?

September 14 marks Ganesh Chaturthi in 2026. The festival falls on Monday this year, with the date confirmed as September 14.

The banking holiday calendar uses different names for the observance across centres, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesh Puja, Varasiddhi Vinayaka Vrata, Vinayakar Chathurthi and Hartalika.

The National Stock Exchange’s 2026 holiday circular also lists September 14 as a trading holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi.

Will online banking services work on September 14?

The closure applies to physical bank branches in the affected centres. Customers can generally continue to use digital banking channels such as mobile banking, internet banking and UPI, although specific services can depend on the bank.

Customers who need to visit a branch for cash deposits, withdrawals, account-related work or other in-person services should check the holiday status of their particular branch before visiting.

What about banks in other cities?

Banks in cities that are not covered by the September 14 regional holiday are not automatically closed because of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The bank holiday calendar is centre-specific, so customers should check their bank’s branch holiday schedule before planning a branch visit.

Continue Reading

India News

Harish Rawat quits Congress posts after ED raid on aide

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat resigned from two Congress posts after the ED searched his aide Chandan Singh Jeena’s premises in a money laundering probe.

Published

on

Harish Rawat

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat has resigned from two organisational positions in the Congress after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the premises of his personal assistant, Chandan Singh Jeena.

Rawat announced his decision on Friday, saying he did not want the controversy surrounding his close associate to weaken the Congress’s campaign against corruption. He stepped down as a member of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee executive and as a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee.

The ED searches were linked to a money laundering investigation concerning alleged irregularities in the 2016 Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari examination conducted by the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC).

What ED recovered from Rawat’s aide

The ED carried out searches at multiple locations in Dehradun, including premises connected with former UKSSSC officials, a private computer agency involved in processing OMR sheets and alleged middlemen.

According to the agency, its search of Jeena’s residence resulted in the seizure of Rs 32 lakh in unaccounted cash, gold coins and chains weighing around 200.5 grams, and 12 luxury watches.

The gold comprised 13 coins and seven chains. The watches included brands such as Rolex, Rado, Piaget, Movado, Tissot and Casio Edifice, according to the ED.

The agency also said bank accounts belonging to Jeena and his family members containing Rs 52.16 lakh were frozen. His mobile phone was seized for forensic examination.

The ED alleged that Jeena had made substantial cash expenditures for which no legitimate source of income could be established. It also said unaccounted cash, jewellery and other valuables were recovered from some former UKSSSC officials and associated individuals.

What is the UKSSSC exam case?

The ED’s money laundering investigation stems from four FIRs registered by the Uttarakhand Police and Vigilance Bureau over alleged irregularities in the 2016 Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari examination.

According to the agency, OMR answer sheets were allegedly removed from secure custody and taken to the residence of the commission’s then secretary. Roll numbers of under-filled answer sheets were recorded and passed to personnel of a private computer agency.

The ED has alleged that answer bubbles were subsequently filled or altered fraudulently before the sheets were resealed, with illegal payments allegedly routed through middlemen.

Jeena is currently serving as Rawat’s personal assistant. He had earlier served as Rawat’s officer on special duty when Rawat was Uttarakhand chief minister between 2014 and 2017.

What Harish Rawat said

Reacting to the allegations, Rawat said he found it difficult to believe that Jeena had been involved in wrongdoing. He acknowledged Jeena’s association with him and said the truth behind the allegations would emerge with time.

Rawat said that if evidence showed Jeena had tampered with OMR sheets in the recruitment examination, he would be ashamed of such conduct, while adding that he did not believe the allegation.

Explaining his resignation, Rawat said Uttarakhand politics was entering an election phase and that attempts were being made to create a narrative against him.

He said Congress and its workers were fighting corruption and that he did not want any action associated with him to weaken the party’s campaign. Since he did not hold a government position from which he could resign, he chose to step down from his organisational responsibilities in the party.

Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi, Putin share car ride in Delhi after bilateral talks

PM Modi and Vladimir Putin shared a car ride to Bharat Mandapam after bilateral talks, marking their fourth joint journey by car.

Published

on

PM Modi putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a car ride in New Delhi on Friday after holding bilateral talks, marking their fourth joint journey by car.

The two leaders travelled together in a limousine to the INNOPROM exhibition at Bharat Mandapam, where the 11-member BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place. Their joint ride came a day before the summit.

Modi and Putin’s fourth joint car ride

PM Modi and President Putin have shared a car on three previous occasions. Their first such ride took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China last year.

The two leaders also met earlier this month at an SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan. Putin’s most recent visit to India before the current trip was in December 2025.

Their latest joint journey followed a bilateral meeting in which the two leaders discussed several areas of the India-Russia relationship.

India-Russia talks cover trade, energy and defence

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi and Putin held wide-ranging discussions on the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

The talks covered cooperation in areas including trade, energy, defence, space and people-to-people ties. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.

PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward for resolving conflicts and said India is ready to assist in peace efforts, according to the Ministry.

Modi gifts Putin Russian translation of Thirukkural

During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi presented Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work associated with the poet and saint Thiruvalluvar.

Modi said the translation of the ancient text into Russian could help strengthen people-to-people ties between India and Russia.

The joint car ride added another notable moment to the two leaders’ interactions ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com