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Mamata Banerjee slams BJP over Maha Kumbh tragedy, calls it Mrityu Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh stampede that claimed 30 lives has sparked political outrage, with Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP of negligence and mismanagement.

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Mamata Banerjee

The recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which led to the deaths of 30 people, continues to spark political outrage. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), blaming the ruling party for its alleged mismanagement of the mega religious event.

“This is the ‘Mrityu’ (death) Kumbh… I respect the Maha Kumbh and Ganga Maa, but there was no planning. How many bodies have been recovered?” Banerjee questioned in the Bengal Assembly. She pointed out the glaring lack of arrangements for devotees, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, while alleging that VIP visitors were provided with luxury accommodations.

Opposition demands accountability

The opposition, led by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, has been relentless in its criticism of the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav highlighted the extent of the crisis by pointing out reports of a 300-km-long traffic jam around Prayagraj during the event.

“Devotees were stuck in a massive traffic jam. Is this ‘Viksit Bharat’? The government cannot even manage traffic. What is the point of going to the Moon when we cannot resolve issues on Earth?” Yadav asked in Parliament.

He also urged the authorities to extend the event beyond its scheduled end date of February 26, arguing that many pilgrims were still unable to reach the sacred site due to poor management.

Concerns over lack of planning

The opposition’s primary concern remains the alleged negligence in planning and execution. From train delays that caused chaos at New Delhi railway station to inadequate arrangements for the overwhelming crowd, critics argue that the government was unprepared for the influx of crores of devotees.

The UP government, however, has defended its handling of the event, boasting that over 50 crore people have already taken a dip at the ‘sangam’—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Officials have maintained that the event is running smoothly despite challenges.

Political storm ahead of elections

With key elections approaching, the Maha Kumbh tragedy has turned into a major political flashpoint. The opposition is using the incident to corner the BJP, raising questions about its governance and ability to handle large-scale public events. Meanwhile, the BJP has touted the religious significance of the event and its successful execution despite the unfortunate incidents.

As investigations into the stampede continue, questions remain about accountability, transparency, and the safety measures that were—or weren’t—put in place for one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.

India News

Terror hideout busted in J&K forest, SOG seizes rifle and ammunition

SOG of Jammu & Kashmir Police recovered an SLR rifle, magazines and live rounds during a forest search in Doda, marking a significant security achievement.

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Anti-terrorist-operations

The Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered an SLR rifle, magazines and live rounds during a coordinated search operation in Doda district, marking an important step in tightening the region’s security grid.

Arms recovered in Bhalara Forest during SOG operation

Acting on precise intelligence inputs, the SOG team launched a targeted search in the Bhalara Forest area under Police Station Thathri. The operation, conducted under the supervision of SSP Doda Sandeep Mehta, led to the recovery of one SLR rifle, two magazines and 22 live bullets.

According to the police release, this recovery is significant as it prevents the possible misuse of the weapon and ammunition by anti-social or anti-national elements. Officials said the operation once again underscores the Jammu & Kashmir Police’s commitment to maintaining peace and public safety in Doda district.

Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the weapon and identify those responsible for concealing it.

Recent security actions in the region

Earlier in November, police in Shopian carried out extensive searches across multiple locations targeting individuals linked to the banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), proscribed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu & Kashmir, which has been banned multiple times, last faced a renewed five-year ban in 2024 for alleged separatist-linked activities.

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PM Modi to open Lok Sabha debate on 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today initiate a special Lok Sabha debate marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’. The discussion is expected to highlight the song’s historical relevance and political controversies surrounding it.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today launch a special discussion in the Lok Sabha, marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic composition ‘Vande Mataram’. The debate, spread over 10 hours, is designed to revisit the song’s historical journey, its role in the freedom struggle, and the contrasting political interpretations that surround it.

PM Modi expected to highlight the song’s legacy

The Prime Minister is likely to underscore how Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s work—first published on November 7, 1875 in Bangadarshan—became a rallying force during India’s struggle for independence.

Opposition benches are keenly observing the Prime Minister’s remarks as his recent comments on the song stirred a political argument. At an event marking the anniversary last month, he alleged that the Congress “removed important stanzas” in 1937, claiming the move weakened the essence of national unity. According to him, the decision “sowed the seeds of Partition” and divided the song.

The Congress, meanwhile, has maintained that the decision followed the advice of Rabindranath Tagore and was intended to respect the sentiments of people of different faiths.

Debate likely to get louder amid ongoing political friction

The Rajya Sabha version of the discussion will be opened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. Members of the ruling alliance have been allotted three hours in the Lok Sabha session dedicated to the debate.

The matter has already seen flashpoints ahead of the Winter Session. A reminder issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat advising MPs not to use expressions like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Hind’ during proceedings to “maintain decorum” triggered opposition backlash, with critics alleging that the government is uncomfortable with symbols of national identity.

The Winter Session runs until December 19, and early signs indicate that discussions around ‘Vande Mataram’ may remain contentious in the days ahead.

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Massive fire at Goa nightclub kills 25 as new video captures terrifying moments

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A newly surfaced video from a North Goa nightclub has revealed the horrifying moments leading up to a massive fire that claimed 25 lives, including five tourists, turning a night of music and dance into a fatal disaster.

Video shows flames erupting during performance

The visuals, recorded at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, show flames suddenly appearing on the ceiling just moments after fireworks were used during a musical act. What began as a regular Saturday night event — advertised on social media as a Bollywood Banger Night — quickly escalated into chaos as smoke and fire spread across the packed venue.

The clip captures the crowd enjoying the performance to the popular Sholay track ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ when the first sparks are seen overhead. Seconds later, the fire intensifies, triggering panic among those inside.

Fire safety clearance under suspicion

Although the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed, officials suspect the incident began after fireworks were set off indoors during the show. Authorities also believe the nightclub may not have had the mandatory fire department clearance, raising concerns over violations that could have worsened the tragedy.

Located around 25 km from Panaji, the nightclub quickly turned into a death trap as the blaze spread before many could escape.

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