The Congress party is set to kick off its ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan’ across all blocks, districts, and states on January 3, 2025. This initiative will culminate in a public rally at Mhow on January 26, 2025.

Originally scheduled for December 27, the launch of the campaign was postponed following the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 26, which prompted a seven-day mourning period in his memory.

The decision to proceed with this campaign was made during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Belagavi on December 26. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that the implementation of the CWC’s December 26 resolution was put on hold for a week as a sign of “deep respect” for Singh.

“It will take time to accept his absence,” Ramesh stated. He added, “Nonetheless, the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan will commence on January 3, 2025, leading up to the rally in Dr. Ambedkar’s birthplace, Mhow, on January 26, 2025. This date also marks the 75th anniversary of the Constitution of India and the establishment of the Republic of India.”

The CWC’s resolution emphasized the Congress party’s strong commitment to safeguarding the Constitution and the principles of the Indian Independence Movement. Consequently, the Congress will initiate the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan campaign with a rally in Belagavi on December 27, which will then progress to rallies and marches in every block, district, and state throughout the month.

In light of the pressing need to uphold the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and the Constitution, the campaign will extend beyond January 26. Furthermore, the CWC announced that from January 26, 2025, to January 26, 2026, the Congress will conduct a comprehensive nationwide public outreach program called the Samvidhan Bachao Rashtriya Padayatra, with participation from all party leaders.

“This padayatra will involve a relay-style march from village to village and township to township,” the CWC stated. Lastly, an All India Congress Committee (AICC) session is scheduled to take place in Gujarat in the first half of April 2025.

India on Wednesday urged Pakistan to accelerate the release and repatriation of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called on Pakistan to grant immediate consular access to 18 individuals—both civilian prisoners and fishermen—currently in its custody, who are believed to be Indian. This plea was made in connection with the regular exchange of lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen outlined in a 2008 agreement, which both countries practice on January 1 and July 1 each year.

India has provided Pakistan with the names of 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. In turn, Pakistan has shared the names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen it holds, who are Indian or believed to be Indian.

According to MEA, “Similarly, Pakistan has shared names of 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian.”

The Indian government emphasized the need for the prompt release and repatriation of these Indian fishermen and prisoners, along with their boats, as well as missing Indian defense personnel held by Pakistan.

The MEA highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian prisoners and fishermen while they await their release and repatriation.

India has reiterated its commitment to addressing humanitarian issues, particularly those involving prisoners and fishermen from both nations. In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process for 76 suspected Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in its custody, whose repatriation is currently stalled pending confirmation of their nationality.

“In this context, India has urged Pakistan to expedite the nationality verification process of 76 believed-to-be-Pakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in India’s custody, whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan,” it said.

The MEA noted that, thanks to continued efforts by the Indian government, since 2014, a total of 2,639 Indian fishermen and 71 civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan. This includes 478 fishermen and 13 civilian prisoners who have returned from Pakistan since the beginning of 2023.

Puneet Khurana, co-founder of a famous cafe in Delhi was found dead at his residence on Tuesday evening, with the police suspecting it as death by suicide. He was found hanging in his room in Model Town’s Kalyan Vihar area. 

The 40-year-old and his wife, Manika Jagdish Pahwa, were reportedly in the middle of getting a divorce. The police officials said that the duo, who owned Woodbox Cafe in the national capital, were allegedly involved in a dispute over the business. They got married in 2016. 

Meanwhile, Puneet Khurana’s family has alleged that his estranged wife Manika Pahwa and her family had been torturing him mentally and drove him to this edge. His sister told a news agency that Manika Pahwa, her parents and her sister forced her brother, stressed him out, instigated him by saying that he can’t do anything, and can die by suicide, if he dare. She added that Puneet shot a video before his death, it is on his phone, and he has said everything, about how Manika and his parents pressured him mentally. They threatened to throw his parents out and dared him to open his shop’s shutter, and kept abusing him, she continued.

When questioned about the business dispute between Puneet and Manika, she said that they earlier ran the bakery business in partnership. However, when the first notion for divorce was signed, it was decided and put in writing that Puneet would manage For God’s bakery and Manika would get Woodbox Cafe. The notice was signed. She asserted even after signing the notice, Manika kept saying that she won’t leave her share, and kept calling him and demanding her share.

Puneet’s sister also alleged that Manika hacked Puneet’s Instagram account. She narrated that his wife misbehaved with people through his Instagram account, and because of this, Puneet had to call her at 3 am. She further mentioned that they have the recording.

Puneet’s mother also said she had hoped that her son and Manika would be fine after separation. However, she kept torturing her son and he suffered in silence, she continued.

She mentioned that if the two shared the business, they would have disputes over it. She asserted that Puneet would not say anything openly to the family, thinking that his parents would be upset. She narrated that her son was doing well, but his wife tortured him so much yesterday that he took this step. She demanded justice for him so that his soul rests in peace.