Was 'Agnipath' a signature Rajnath Singh scheme in the first place?

 The space for Rajnath in UP politics has shrunk after Yogi Adityanath appeared on the scene

Barring a minor “one-time” tweak in the upper-age limit for armed forces recruitment under the Agnipath scheme, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stuck to his guns that the scheme will change the profile of the armed forces, making them younger-looking. As swathes of India, from rural areas to urban, from north to south, burn, Rajnath stands unmoved: Ironically over a scheme in which he has had little to contribute, despite being defence minister.

Ghats along Ganga in UP to witness more social, economic activity

 Cities situated on the banks of River Ganga in Uttar Pradesh will now witness increased social and economic activities

Cities situated on the banks of Ganga river in Uttar Pradesh will now witness increased social and economic activities. Working on the central government’s ‘Ghat Pe Haat’ scheme, the Yogi Adityanath government has decided to develop the banks of the river for tourism.

Principal secretary of Uttar Pradesh Tourism, Mukesh Meshram, said: “Since this state is home to the biggest part of Ganga and a number of religiously important cities fall on this stretch, we look forward to making the most of this opportunity. A team of competent officers and experts is already working on the proposal demanded by the Namami Gange authorities.”

Officials at Namami Gange informed that the idea is to build or beautify about 164 ghats across all the cities, besides encouraging farmers to take up natural farming along the river. The plan also includes formation of District Ganga Committees to address all issues related to the river. Weekly markets may be allowed on these ghats which will be maintained and cleaned regularly by the committees in place. This will be done with the idea of promoting economic activity along the river….

Uttar Pradesh excise department created 60,000 jobs over 4.5 years

 The Excise Department in Uttar Pradesh has issued licences for establishment of 12 distilleries, three breweries, 12 microbreweries and 97 sanitizer units in the state

The Excise Department in Uttar Pradesh has issued licences for establishment of 12 distilleries, three breweries, 12 microbreweries and 97 sanitizer units in the state and gave approval of other licences which allowed investments of about Rs 6,545 crore and created 60,000 new jobs in the last four-and-a-half years.

Additional Chief Secretary (Excise), Sanjay Bhoosreddy said ease of doing business and simplification of existing rules have seen establishment of new industries and generation of new opportunities of investment.

“Establishment of new distilleries has helped in improving the financial condition of the sugar mills, making it easier for them to pay the cane price to the farmers and also in generating additional employment. Ten new distilleries have been established in the private sector which has increased the total installed capacity by 3,737 lakh litres and an investment of Rs 1,133 crore has been made in the state so far,” he said. The ACS said that three new breweries are going to be established in Sambhal, Sonbhadra and Barabanki…Read More

Third Covid-19 wave in India to peak in February: IIT-K researchers

 The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country

Researchers at IIT Kanpur (IIT-K) have predicted that a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which may be triggered by the new Omicron variant, may peak in India by February 3, 2022. A report, published in the online preprint health server MedRxiv, said: “Following the trends around the world, this project report forecasts India’s third wave may start around mid-December and peak in the beginning of February.”

The team used a statistical tool called the Gaussian Mixture model to predict the third wave. The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country.

The researchers said the study “suggests the cases reach peak value after 735 days from our initial observation date, which is January 30, 2020, when India reported its first official case of Covid-19. So, the cases start rising around December 15, 2021, and the peak of the third wave will occur on Thursday, February 3, 2022″….Read More

Sunni Waqf Board-governed trust invites donations for mosque in Ayodhya

The mosque trust has released bank details for donations from a large cross-section of people for constructing a mosque, on the five-acre land in the Dhannipur village in lieu of the Babri mosque

The mosque trust constituted by the Sunni Waqf Board, has released bank details for donations from a large cross-section of people, including non-Muslims for constructing a mosque, hospital, community kitchen and library on the five-acre land in the Dhannipur village in lieu of the Babri mosque. The trust, Indo Islamic Cultural Foundation, has opened two current accounts in two leading private sector banks at branches in Hewett Road and Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar.

Trust secretary, Athar Hussain, said, “We will accept donations from all communities to make the Dhannipur complex a unique example of communal harmony and a centre of healing, teaching and preaching.” He said. “We have decided to create a website and portal of the Trust with a gateway to receive donations as we are receiving numerous calls from those willing to donate,” Funds for the Dhannipur complex will be raised from donations from all communities, he said.

“We expect financial aid from the government too. In fact, a Member of Parliament from Assam, Abdul Khalique, has offered to donate and we are receiving messages from the Muslims and Hindus, who are eager to provide funds for the mosque and other facilities,” he added. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust that is overseeing Ram temple construction, has already set up bank accounts for donations for the temple construction. The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation was formed with nine members and six more would be made trust members soon. The trust will supervise the construction of the mosque and the complex in Ayodhya..Read More

Security beefed up on UP-Nepal border for Ayodhya bhumi pojan event

The Sashastra Seema Bal and the Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified patrolling along the 551 km-long India-Nepal border, ahead of Prime Minister’s scheduled visit to Ayodhya for Bhumi Puja

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified patrolling along the 551 km-long India-Nepal border, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Ayodhya for Ram Temple Bhumi Puja on Wednesday. According to senior police officers, a tight vigil is being maintained on movement along the border and people living in villages adjoining the border have been asked to alert security officials if they come across any suspicious activity or element in their area.

The security arrangements across the state, especially in Ayodhya and on the Indo-Nepal border, has been beefed up after intelligence agencies warned of a possible terror attack in August. The Pilibhit police has installed five barriers at different checking points along the 56 km-long Indo-Nepal border in the district to prevent infiltration bid by anti-social elements in the Indian territory. An additional barricade has been erected on the Pilibhit-Lucknow highway for checking of suspicious vehicles.

Deputy inspector general of police, Bareilly range, Rajesh Pandey, who has been camping in Pilibhit for the past three days, said: “I have been monitoring policing during Eid and Raksha Bandhan, but I have also held the string of security and vigilance myself since Tuesday considering the high-profile ceremony in Ayodhya.”

Claims of Rs 500 cr property fake, family left in lurch: Vikas Dubey’s wife

1. Richa Dubey also claimed that she had tried to convince her husband to leave crime world, but “he was a man of a different mentality”
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4. Wife of slain gangster Vikas Dubey on Thursday said that she had unsuccessfully tried to convince her husband to leave the path of crime. She said that the family has been left in the lurch after gangster’s death. About the claim that Dubey had acquired property worth crores of rupees, she said it was “fake news” and that her husband has left the family to fend for themselves. “Today, we terribly needed him. He has left nothing for us. People may say that he has left a property worth Rs 500 crore, but the truth is that I do not have anything,” the gangster’s wife Richa Dubey told a TV news channel.
5. AlSO READ: SC asks judicial panel to probe Vikas Dubey case, submit report in 2 months
6. To a question that Dubey has properties worth crores at a number of places, even in Dubai, she said, “This is absolutely fake news. Just think, if a person has property worth crores, will his wife live in a 1,600 square feet house in Lucknow?” Richa Dubey also claimed that she had tried to convince her husband to leave crime, but he was a man of a different mentality.
7. “He was a good husband, and good father. He wanted that his children should become well-educated, but he himself never wanted to come out of the world of crime,” the wife of the slain gangster said. She said that whenever she tried to convince her husband about leaving the path of crime, he used to beat her.

Ayodhya's Ram temple to be 161-feet tall, two 'mandaps' added to design

The height of Ayodhya’s Ram temple would be 161-feet, an increase by 20-feet from the previous design, according to Nikhil Sompura, architect and the son of C Sompura, chief architect of the temple

The height of Ayodhya’s grand Ram temple would be 161-feet, an increase by 20-feet from the previous design which was prepared in 1988, according to Nikhil Sompura, architect and the son of C Sompura, chief architect of the temple.

“The earlier design was made in 1988, now over 30 years have passed and so the footfall will increase with time. People are also very enthusiastic about visiting the temple so we thought its size should be increased. In view of this, the height of the Ayodhya ram temple has been increased from 141-feet to 161-feet,” Nikhil Sompura told ANI here.He said that two mandaps’ have been added to the design.

“All pillars and the stones that were carved based on the earlier design will still be used, they will not be wasted. Only two ‘mandaps’ have been added to the design,” he added. Nikhil said that it was a matter of great pride for him and his family that they had been bestowed the honour of designing the temple and said that the shrine will be ready for devotees after 3.5 years.

“Once the ‘bhoomi-pujan’ is done in the presence of the Prime Minister, the construction work will start. The team of L & T, along with machinery and materials, have reached the spot and the work on foundation will start right away. It will take 3 to 3.5 years for the completion of the work,” he said.

Criminal is dead, but what about those who aided Dubey: Priyanka Gandhi

Soon after gangster Vikas Dubey was killed in an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked “what about those who aided the criminal”

Soon after gangster Vikas Dubey was killed in an encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked “what about those who aided the criminal”. “The criminal is dead, but what about those who aided the criminal?” the Congress leader tweeted (translated from Hindi).

Kanpur encounter main accused Vikas Dubey was killed in an encounter with the police on Friday. Dubey, the main accused in the Kanpur encounter case was arrested by the police in Ujjain on Thursday morning. He was on the run for the last several days and had come to Ujjain to offer prayers at Temple, where he was identified by a security guard at the shrine.

The gangster is the main accused in the encounter that took place in Bikru village in Chaubeypur area of Kanpur last week, in which a group of assailants allegedly opened fire on a police team, which had gone to arrest Dubey. Eight police personnel were killed in the encounter. Dubey managed to escape and the Uttar Pradesh police launched a hunt and raised the bounty on him to Rs 5 lakh.

Vikas Dubey killed; cops say gangster shot at them and tried to flee

Vikas Dubey and his gang shot dead 8 policemen who had come to arrest him near Kanpur village last week

Gangster Vikas Dubey, accused of killing eight policemen in a shootout last week, was shot dead Friday morning when he tried to break free while being taken in a convoy to Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh from Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain city, where he was arrested on Thursday. “Dubey was killed in encounter when he tried to flee after a road accident,” Mohit Agarwal, Kanpur’s Inspector General of Police, told news agencies. The incident took place between Jhansi and Kanpur, The Indian Express reported.

A vehicle carrying Dubey, whose age is unknown, in the UP Police’s Special Task Force’s (STF) convoy overturned after skidding on a highway slippery after rains. Vikas Dubey allegedly snatched a pistol when he was taken out of the upturned vehicle and tried to fire at the police. He was killed in retaliatory firing and two STF personnel were injured, reported news agency IANS.

Visuals after the incident showed Dubey being taken away on a stretcher to the emergency ward of the Hallett Hospital in Kanpur. Dinesh Kumar, a senior police officer in Kanpur, said the hospital’s doctors confirmed Dubey’s death.

PM Modi launches job scheme for migrant workers in UP

PM Modi will launch ‘Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rozgar Abhiyan’. RBI to hold virtual board meeting. Stay tuned with Business Standard for the latest news of today

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will today hold its first virtual board meeting since the outbreak of Covid-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the ‘Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rozgar Abhiyan’, which seeks to promote local entrepreneurship and create partnership with industrial associations to provide employment opportunities.

According to an official statement, the Uttar Pradesh government envisaged the Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan (self-reliant UP employment campaign) to dovetail central and state government’s programmes, while also creating partnerships with industry and other organisations.Stay tuned for the latest news of the day

PM Gareeb Kalyan Rozgar Scheme in Uttar Pradesh would take in its ambit three types of beneficiaries, says PM Modi

The scheme would take in its ambit three types of beneficiaries, including those employed through ‘atmanirbhar abhiyan’ (self-reliant scheme), labourers engaged in industrial houses in the micro, small, medium enterprise (MSME) sector and those provided loans through banks and financial institutions for self-employment. 

PM Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath are virtually reaching out to the local and migrant population in six of 31 target districts — Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Bahraich, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar and Jalaun

I am Indira Gandhi’s granddaughter, not an undeclared BJP spokesperson: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi

“I am Indira Gandhi’s granddaughter, not an undeclared BJP spokesperson like some of the opposition leaders,” Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, as she alleges that UP govt is threatening her through various departments for speaking truth..Read More

UP issues fresh guidelines for lockdown 4.0: All you need to know

All vegetable markets will be allowed to open from 4 am to 7 am only and retail vegetables could be sold between 6 am and 9 pm, the government said in fresh guidelines

The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday allowed resumption of all industrial activities in non-containment zones in the state in the fourth phase of the coronavirus lockdown till May 31. All vegetable markets will be allowed to open from 4 am to 7 am only and retail vegetables could be sold between 6 am and 9 pm, the government said in fresh guidelines.

Shop owners and staff will have to wear masks and arrange sanitisers for customers, it said. Night prohibitory orders will be in place in the state and no movement of vehicles, except for essential activities, will be allowed between 7 pm and 7 am, the state government said.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: India cases rise to 100,328; Global cases at 4,891,330

People aged above 65 years or those with comorbidities, pregnant women and children less than 10 years have been advised to stay home. According to the guideline, restaurants will be allowed to open only for home delivery but dining is not permitted. Banquet halls have been permitted to open but not more than 20 people can attend a wedding. Three people can travel in a car and only one person is allowed on two-wheelers. The state government has also decided to categorise “red”, “green” and “orange” zones and containment and buffer zones within red and orange zones as per the home ministry guidelines.

Surviving on biscuits and water, migrants walk back from Delhi to Jharkhand

The migrant labourers had started walking towards their homes in Godda district of Jharkhand ten days ago from Delhi

A group of migrant workers were seen walking in Patna, headed towards their homes in Jharkhand as the Covid-19 lockdown continues. The migrant labourers had started walking towards their homes in Godda district of Jharkhand ten days ago from Delhi. The workers said they were surviving on biscuits and water.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: India cases rise to 78,055; global cases at 4,429,744

“We started walking from Delhi ten days ago, and have been surviving on biscuits and water,” said one of the migrant workers. This is in the backdrop of several states arranging trains for their people who are stuck in other states due to lockdown.

Signal from PM Modi to CMs: Covid-19 lockdown may continue beyond May 3

Green zones may see more relaxations; states divided on how to end curbs

The nationwide lockdown is all set to be extended beyond May 3, at least until the middle of the month in the red zones of the country, as many states told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video-conference meeting on Monday that it’s not the time yet to lift the curbs.This means more activities may be allowed to resume in green zones of the country. Most Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states support extending the lockdown, but will wait and abide by the Centre’s fresh guidelines. Telangana has already extended the lockdown until May 7, and will take a decision on further extension on May 5.

ALSO READ: CRISIL pegs India’s FY21 economic growth rate at 1.8% from 3.5%

Odisha, Meghalaya and some others support extending it by a month. Congress-led governments want the lockdown to be lifted in areas other than hotpots or containment zones.Delhi will take a call by April 30.Maharashtra will also decide by the end of the month, but will not lift the lockdown in urban centres like Mumbai and Pune, which are in red zones, while allowing economic activity in green zones. Mindful of the economic challenges, the government is preparing a detailed exit strategy that would give states more space in deciding their respective plans, sources said after the three-hour meeting.

ALSO READ: Govt likely to pledge Rs 3-trn in loans to MSMEs amid Covid-19 outbreak

All CMs, except Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan, who sent his chief secretary, participated in the meeting. Nine CMs spoke while the rest sent in their suggestions. The PM indicated that Covid-19 is here for a long haul and that people need to learn to live with it. He said masks and face covers would become part of our lives in the days ahead and reiterated the mantra of ‘do gaz doori’ or social distancing…

Not just India, Jamaat a super spreader in Pak as well; faces criticism

Half of the cases in Pakistan have come from Punjab, which is also the largest province.

Tablighi Jamaat, the super spreader of the coronavirus in India appears to have caused a spike in the coronavirus positive cases in Pakistan, too. Congress leader Manish Tewari said in a tweet, “Interesting: it seems the Tabalegi Jamat has created problems in Pakistan too with regard to COVID-19. Seems to be a sect issue. Do listen in”.

Tewari attached a video from a Pakistan news channel which featured an interview with Yasmin Rashid, Health of Punjab province in Pakistan. Half of the cases in Pakistan have come from Punjab, which is also the largest province. Rashid said the main reason behind the jump in cases in the province has been the Tablighi Jamaat. She said that out of the 2004 postive cases of COVID-19 reported so far, 1314 were linked to Tablighi Jamaat.

Rashid said that 549 tests from the Tablighi Jamaat members came in positive which led to a sudden rise in the number of cases. She added that going by statistics, of the 10,000 Tablighi Jamaat members in quarantine, 35-40 per cent were likely to test positive. As a result, cases are likely to rise. In an earlier tweet, Tewari said, “Why can’t these Tablighi’s just behave themselves? Don’t these people realise that they have done enough damage already. If you preach the word of God you first must learn to be responsible members of society. For them enough does not seem to be enough.”..Read More Here

Coronavirus outbreak: 20 hotspots in Delhi, 104 in Uttar Pradesh sealed

Nobody will be allowed to enter or exit from these areas

The Delhi government has sealed 20 Covid-19 hotspots in the national capital to combat the spread of the novel virus, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Wednesday. According to the government, the 20 hotspots include parts of Sangam Vihar, Malviya Nagar and Jahangirpuri that have been notified as “containment areas” where people cannot go out of their houses and the government will ensure delivery of essential items.

“Nobody will be allowed to enter or exit from these areas,” he said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal held the meeting with ministers and top officials to discuss measures to contain the Covid-19 spread. The total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital on Wednesday mounted to 669, with 93 fresh cases reported in a day, according to the Delhi health department.

The Uttar Pradesh government announced that it would seal coronavirus disease (Covid-19) hotspots identified in 15 districts of the state till the end of the 21-day nationwide lockdown on April 14. The districts where orders will be implemented are Agra, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Lucknow, Varanasi, Shamli, Meerut, Bareilly, Bulandshahr, Kanpur, Basti, Ferozabad, Saharanpur, Maharajganj, and Sitapur.According to the state’s Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Kumar Awasthi, a total of 104 hotspots spread across 81 police station in these districts have been identified, wherein a “complete lockdown” would be enforced from midnight on Wednesday. The patrolling would be intensified in these areas to ensure compliance…Read More Here

Anti-CAA protests: Prohibitory notices issued to 4,000 people in Aligarh

The police have issued notices to 200 people with a criminal background under Section 110 (G) of the CrPc and initiated process of the Goonda Act against 50 persons.

The police in Aligarh has issued prohibitory notices to 4,000 people, restricting their movement and warning them of action if there was any trouble in the Uttar Pradesh town on Friday. The police have issued notices to 200 people with a criminal background under Section 110 (G) of the CrPc and initiated process of the Goonda Act against 50 persons. Besides, around 100 arms license holders, who are residents of Shahjamal, Jamalpur and Jeevangarh areas, where protests are going on, have been issued warning notices, threatening cancellations of their licenses, if they were seen at the protest sites.

Aligarh SSP, Muniraj G, said that ‘red notices’ had been issued to 2,000 anti-social elements, informing them about restrictions on their movement and 2,000 others were issued notices under section 107/116 of the CrPC asking them to sign bonds wherein they would undertake not to breach peace. He said the police was on high alert and patrolling on highways has been intensified in view of the violence in the national capital. “Additional police force — nine companies of PAC and four companies of RAF — along with three additional SPs, eight deputy SPs and eight station house officers (SHO) of neighbouring districts have already been deployed in Aligarh as a precautionary measure,” the SSP added.

He further said that non-lethal weapons including anti-riot guns, tear gas guns and tear gas grenades, have been distributed at the police stations falling in the sensitive areas. Police have identified eight spots in the town which fall in sensitive areas and organised meetings with local leaders to maintain peace…Keep Reading 

Donald Trump’s Taj visit: Royal graves get mud pack, chandelier refurbished

As per Supreme Court directions, petrol or diesel-operated vehicles are not permitted within 500 metres of the Taj Mahal’s gate

Authorities at the Archaeological Survey of India had “advanced the dates” for mud-pack treatment for the graves of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and wife Mumtaz Mahal at Taj Mahal in view of US President Donald Trump’s planned visit to the famed mausoleum on Tuesday, an official said. The 17th-century monument to love, built over a period of nearly 20 years by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife after her death in 1631, is being refurbished to welcome the American leader and US First Lady Melania Trump.

“The red sandstones of the Taj complex are being cleaned of stains from weather, fountains have been spruced up and extra stock of shimmering flowers added in gardens to enhance the glory of the monument,” ASI Agra Circle Superintending Archaeologist Vasant Swarnkar said. The ASI official said the world heritage site was also getting ready to welcome Trump just like Agra was being decked up for his visit on Tuesday evening.

“We have already done the mud-pack treatment of the two royal graves. It is done with ‘multani mitti’ and takes a couple of days,” Swarnkar told PTI. “After the treatment, it is cleaned with distilled water. It was done in the last few days.” Asked if the special treatment was being given after a long time, he said such works were carried out regularly and its date was due in coming time. Asked if the special treatment was being given after a long time, he said such works were carried out regularly and its date was due in coming time. “But, we preponed the mud-pack dates keeping in view the visit of the US president,” the official said…Keep Reading

UP cops arrest Dr Kafeel Khan from Mumbai airport for ‘inflammatory’ speech

The official also alleged that the Gorakhpur doctor had made objectionable comments against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested Dr Kafeel Khan from Mumbai airport for allegedly making inflammatory statements at AMU during protests against the Citizenship Amendments Act (CAA) last month, officials said. Khan was arrested on Wednesday night with assistance from Mumbai Police at the airport when he arrived in the city to attend anti-CAA protests, an official said.

“Officials of the UP STF arrested Dr Kafeel Khan in a case which was registered at Civil Lines Police Station under section 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups) of IPC. Our police team helped our UP counterparts on their request,” said an official from Mumbai Police. He claimed that Khan had made inflammatory statements on December 12 last year during the protest near Bab e Syed Gate outside the Aligarh Muslim University in front of more than 600 students.

The official also alleged that the Gorakhpur doctor had made objectionable comments against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The FIR against Khan mentions that Swaraj India’s president Yogendra Yadav was also present during the speech at AMU. Following the arrest in the case, Khan was taken to the Sahar Police Station and after completing formalities he will be taken to UP on transit remand, the official said…

In next ten days,In next ten days, 5,000 more Shaheen Baghs to come up across country: Azad 5,000 more Shaheen Baghs to come up across country: Azad

Addressing a massive gathering, Azad said the Citizenship Amendment Act is a ‘black law’ that is dividing people on religious lines

In the next 10 days, there will be 5,000 more protest sites like Shaheen Bagh across the country, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad said on Wednesday evening as he reached the iconic demonstration spot in south Delhi to extend his support to the women protesting against CAA and NRC. Addressing a massive gathering, the Dalit leader said the Citizenship Amendment Act is a “black law” that is dividing people on religious lines. “I congratulate those who have participated in this protest. This is not just a political agitation. We have to save the Constitution and unity of the nation,” he told the women who have been staging a sit-in against the CAA for more than a month now.

Azad said even the record-breaking cold has not been able to break the will power of the women protesters. The crowd, singing Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Urdu poem ‘Hum Dekhnege’ before Azad’s arrival, got charged as he reached the venue. Holding the Constitution, he said, “I promise you that in next 10 days there will be at least 5,000 Shaheen Baghs across the country”.

Azad said that earlier everyone had heard about Jallianwala Bagh, but now they were talking about Shaheen Bagh. “If you have the courage of sacrifice, then you have to sacrifice with holding your demonstration peacefully,” he said. “Till the Bhim Army is here, this law would not be applicable and they have to go through my corpse (to implement it),” Azad said. “The court is saying that we should respect our Prime Minister. I do and and I will do because the constitution says this. But the Prime Minister also needs to respect the constitution of this country,” he said. The protesters hailed Azad and raised slogans in his support…