India News

If I can’t stop namaz on roads then I have no right to stop Janmashthami in thanas: Yogi

Published

9 years ago

August 17, 2017

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also bats for unruly kanwars and asserts that there can be no kanwar yatra without the beating of drums, song and dance, use of microphones

Stoking off yet another controversy, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said while addressing a public event in Lucknow, on Wednesday, that if he cannot stop the offering of namaz on roads during Eid, he has no right to stop celebration of Janmashtami at police stations.

The chief minister’s comments that have evoked a sharp retort from Opposition parties and various Islamic organizations come at a time when his government is already busy fending off attacks over the deaths of nearly 71 children at Baba Raghav Das (BRD) hospital in Gorakhpur due to lack of oxygen. Gorakhpur has been Adityanath’s constituency ever since he entered politics and he has represented the seat in Lok Sabha for five terms since 1998.

A known Hindutva hardliner, Adityanath said at the event jointly organised by the Prerna Jansanchar Evam Sidh Sansthan, Noida and Lucknow Jansanchar Evam Patrakarita Sansthan: “Agar mai sadak par Eid ke din namaz padhne pe rok nahi laga sakta to mujhe koi adhikar nahi ki mai thano mein janmashtami ke parv ko rokun.”

The chief minister said that when his officials recently red-flagged the use of microphones, DJs and music systems during the kanwar yatra – the annual pilgrimage of Shiv devotees which in recent years has been in news for the law and order issues it causes – he told them to ensure that microphones are banned everywhere and no sound emanates from any place of worship.

However, Adityanath added that he also told the officers that if this ban cannot be uniformly implemented on all religious events and structures then it should not be applied to the kanwar yatra too.

“Maine prashasan se kaha… mere saamne ek aadesh paarit kariye… mike har jagah ke liye partibandhit hona chahiye… har jagah ban karo… aur yeh tay kariye ki kisi bhi dharmsthal mein… uski premises ke bahar, uski awaaz aani hi nahi chahiye… kya isko laagu kar payenge? Agar laagu nahin kar sakte hain to phir isko bhi hum laagu nahi hone denge… yatra chalegi,” the Yogi is learnt to have said.

Likening a kanwar yatra which has no music, dance and use of microphones with a funeral procession, Adityanath said: “Maine kaha ki ye kanwar yatra hai ya shav yatra?… Arrey woh kanwar yatra mein baaje nahin bajenge, damru nahin bajega, dhol nahin bajega, chimte nahin bajenge, log nachenge-gayenge nahin, mike nahi bajega to woh yatra kanwar yatra kaise hogi.”

(I asked if this was a kanwar yatra or a funeral procession. If they don’t play music and drums, don’t dance and sing, don’t use the mike, how will it be a kanwar yatra).

Stressing that he isn’t against the celebration of festivals of other faiths or the offering of namaz by Muslims, Adityanath said: “we are for everything…you can celebrate Christmas and no one will stop you. You can offer namaz too but within the premise of the law… if the law is broken then it leads to confrontation.”

Often at the receiving end of an attack from Opposition parties, social activists and liberal intellectuals for his ostensibly provocative speeches and comments, Adityanath said that “If I say that I take pride in saying I am a Hindu, I will be called communal” while adding that in Nepal, Mauritius or any other country where Hindus of Indian origin live, they feel proud to be called Hindus.

Targeting the previous Samajwadi Party government under former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav which the BJP comprehensively defeated in the assembly polls earlier this year, Adityanath said those who called themselves Yaduvanshis had banned the celebration of Janmashtami at police stations and police lines. He said he was of the belief that “prayers and kirtan may bring improvement in the police system”.

Zafaryab Jilani of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board criticised the chief minister’s comments, saying : “he (Adityanath) occupies a very important office and should now that the occupant of that office is not the representative of one religion… his comments are meant to create divisions within the society and not unite people…they are very unfortunate.”

The Congress party too has hit out at Adityanath not just for his comments but also for having recently ordered “grand celebrations” of Janmashtami across all police station of UP. “There has been a tragedy in the CM’s backyard …several children have died and are still dying at the BRD hospital but Adityanath is more concerned about Janmashtami celebrations and kanwar yatras,” said senior Congress leader and former MLA Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

Adityanath had courted controversy last week too when he ordered “grand but dignified celebrations” of Janmashtami across UP – including at police stations. The previous SP government had stopped celebrations of the festivals at police stations and other establishments that are meant to ensure law and order.

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

10 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

16 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

20 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.