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AIMIM chief Owaisi slams PM Modi after he sends chadar to Ajmer Dargah, says nothing is going to happen

In response to a legal petition alleging that the Dargah was built over a Shiva temple, Rijiju maintained, “I am here to offer a ‘chadar,’ not to engage in controversy. I come with the message from the Prime Minister that everyone in our country should coexist peacefully.”

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AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he sent a ‘chadar’ to Ajmer Dargah, asserting that the government should take action to prevent legal disputes over existing mosques and Dargahs.

He explained that the gesture of sending the ‘chadar’ is intended to convey that the government supports those who have faith in mosques. However, Owaisi criticised the BJP and the Sangh Parivar for challenging the status of the Khwaja Ajmeri Dargah in courts, a tactic they have employed against other mosques as well. “The government’s primary responsibility is to halt such claims,” he stated.

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju presented the ceremonial ‘chadar’ from PM Modi at Ajmer Dargah during the ‘Urs’ of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti on the same day.

When asked about the Prime Minister’s gesture, Owaisi pointed out that BJP and Sangh Parivar affiliates are initiating legal actions claiming that certain mosques are not legitimate mosques and that some Dargahs do not qualify as Dargahs.

He challenged, “If the Prime Minister desires, he can put an end to all these issues,” noting that more than seven such cases concerning mosques originate from BJP-led Uttar Pradesh.

Regarding the central government’s protest against China for establishing two counties, Owaisi remarked that the government is simultaneously seeking investments from China and tolerating trade imbalances with the country.

“This government is intimidated by China. What kind of protest is this? They are forming counties and building dams on our territory. Who will suffer from the dam’s construction?” he questioned, further asking why the government has been unable to prevent China’s actions.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, while traveling to Ajmer for the ‘Urs,’ emphasised that the Prime Minister’s message was one of unity and brotherhood. He stated, “I am visiting Ajmer Dargah to convey this message.”

Upon his arrival, he was greeted by BJP leaders from the State’s minority morcha. Rijiju expressed hopes for a harmonious atmosphere in the country during the auspicious occasion and affirmed that everyone, regardless of their faith—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, or Jain—is welcome at the Dargah. He stressed that the visiting experience should be seamless for the thousands who come to the Dargah.

In response to a legal petition alleging that the Dargah was built over a Shiva temple, Rijiju maintained, “I am here to offer a ‘chadar,’ not to engage in controversy. I come with the message from the Prime Minister that everyone in our country should coexist peacefully.”

In November, a local court had accepted a petition asserting the claim about the Dargah’s location and issued notices to the Ajmer Dargah committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India. The petition was filed by Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta, who urged the Prime Minister to refrain from sending a ‘chadar’ this year.

The ‘Urs’ is observed at the Ajmer Dargah to honour the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, with the Prime Minister traditionally sending a ‘chadar’ annually.

India News

Lok Sabha clears bill to levy cess on pan masala and similar goods for health, security funding

The Lok Sabha has passed a bill to impose a cess on pan masala manufacturing units, aiming to create a dedicated revenue source for public health and national security initiatives.

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Nirmala Sitharaman

The Lok Sabha has approved the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, paving the way for a new cess on pan masala manufacturing units. The legislation aims to generate dedicated funds for strengthening national security and improving public health, both areas identified as critical national priorities.

Bill aims to create predictable funding stream

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, responding to the debate before the bill was passed by voice vote, said that the cess will be shared with states because public health falls under the state list.

The new cess will be applied over and above the GST, based on production capacity and machinery used in units manufacturing pan masala and similar goods. The minister clarified that this cess will not affect GST revenue, and that pan masala already attracts the maximum GST slab of 40 per cent.

According to the bill text, the objective is to build a “dedicated and predictable resource stream” to support expenditure related to health and national security.

Sitharaman also mentioned that cess collection as a percentage of gross total revenue currently stands at 6.1 per cent, lower than the 7 per cent average between 2010 and 2014.

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India News

Simone Tata passes away at 95: A look at the visionary who shaped Lakme and modern retail

Simone Tata, the pioneering business leader who built Lakme and helped shape India’s modern retail sector, passed away at 95. Here’s a look at her legacy.

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simone tata

Ratan Tata’s stepmother and celebrated business leader Simone Tata passed away on December 5, 2025, at the age of 95. Known for her pioneering role in building Lakme and transforming India’s retail landscape, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy that redefined Indian consumer culture.

A legacy that shaped Indian business

Simone Tata, born in Geneva in 1930, first came to India at the age of 23. Two years later, in 1955, she married Naval H. Tata and gradually became an integral part of the Tata family’s business vision. Her journey with the Tata Group began in the 1960s, when she was appointed to Lakme—then under Tata Oil Mills.

Under her leadership, Lakme quickly grew into one of India’s most trusted cosmetic brands. She rose to the position of managing director and later chairperson, introducing global formulations and modernising beauty products for the Indian market. Lakme’s rise was also rooted in a strong national vision—launched on former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s suggestion to reduce foreign exchange spent on imported makeup.

Transforming retail through Trent and Westside

After Lakme was sold to Hindustan Lever Limited in 1966, Simone moved to Trent, where she helped build one of India’s earliest modern retail chains. This later gave birth to Westside, a brand that has become synonymous with contemporary Indian shopping culture.

She also played a key role in philanthropic initiatives, guiding organisations such as the Sir Ratan Tata Institute and supporting cultural and children-focused foundations.

Family, personal life and final farewell

Simone Tata is survived by her son Noel, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Neville, Maya and Leah. She also drew public attention in recent years for being the only member of the Tata family to attend Cyrus Mistry’s funeral, despite the widely known strained ties between the families.

Her funeral will take place on Saturday morning at the Cathedral of the Holy Name Church in Colaba, Mumbai.

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India News

Centre orders probe into IndiGo crisis, expects normal flight operations in three days

Amid record cancellations by IndiGo, the Centre has ordered a high-level inquiry and expects flight schedules to stabilise by Saturday, with full normalcy in three days.

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indigo

The Centre has initiated a high-level inquiry into the massive disruption of IndiGo’s operations, with the government projecting that flight schedules will begin stabilising by Saturday and full normalisation is expected within three days. The announcement comes as cancellations by the airline crossed 500 for the second consecutive day, severely impacting passengers across major airports.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the government has directed urgent measures to ensure swift restoration of services. Within minutes of his statement, the aviation regulator DGCA announced the formation of a four-member committee to examine the circumstances leading to the delays and cancellations.

DGCA forms committee as cancellations spark scrutiny

The DGCA said IndiGo was given sufficient time to implement revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), yet the airline recorded the highest number of cancellations in November. The regulator added that the pattern suggested gaps in the carrier’s internal oversight and preparedness, warranting an independent probe.

The committee will review the sequence of events that triggered disruptions and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.

Flight duty rules relaxed; minister defends move

Amid criticism from the Opposition and experts, the DGCA temporarily suspended certain FDTL rules, increasing pilot duty limits from 12 to 14 hours. The changes were widely questioned, with allegations that the government was yielding to pressure from IndiGo.

Naidu defended the decision, stating the move was taken solely to safeguard passengers and that safety standards would not be compromised.
He reiterated that passenger care and convenience remain the top priority.

Assurance of refunds, real-time updates, and support

Highlighting steps taken to ease passenger distress, the minister said airlines must:

  • Provide accurate, real-time updates before travellers leave for airports
  • Initiate automatic refunds for cancelled flights without requiring follow-ups
  • Arrange hotel accommodation for passengers stranded for extended periods

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities have been accorded special priority, including access to lounges and additional assistance. Refreshments and essential services are to be provided to all affected travellers.

Inquiry to determine accountability

The government said the high-level probe will identify what went wrong at IndiGo, establish responsibility, and recommend systemic corrections to ensure such disruptions do not occur again.

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