'There should be freedom, can’t force it on anyone': Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad on new 'Vande Mataram' protocol

IANS | February 11, 2026 2:06 PM

Lucknow, Feb 11 (IANS) As the Union Home Ministry issued fresh guidelines mandating that all six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' be sung or played at designated government functions and in schools across the country, Shia Muslim cleric Kalbe Jawad on Wednesday said there should be freedom and that it cannot be forced on anyone.

Imprisonment of human rights attorney couple represents escalation in suppression of dissent in Pakistan: Report

IANS | February 11, 2026 1:58 PM

Islamabad, Feb 11 (IANS) The sentencing of human rights attorney couple Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan has sparked condemnation from the United Nations, international legal bodies, and the country's rights groups, according to a report.

Yogi govt presents Rs 9.12 lakh crore UP Budget with focus on law and order, health, infra

IANS | February 11, 2026 1:50 PM

Lucknow, Feb 11 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna on Wednesday presented a Rs 9,12,696.35 crore budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Assembly, an increase of nearly 12.9 per cent over the previous year.

Central schemes deliberately stalled in Bengal, says BJP MP in Rajya Sabha

IANS | February 11, 2026 1:31 PM

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, on Wednesday, accused the West Bengal government of deliberately “stalling” the implementation of numerous Central government schemes across various ministries.

Bengal revolutionaries who never wrote 'mercy petitions' forgotten: Trinamool MP in Rajya Sabha

IANS | February 11, 2026 1:14 PM

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Ritabrata Banerjee on Wednesday highlighted during Zero Hour the overlooked legacy of 12 fearless freedom fighters from West Bengal, deported to the notorious Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands following the landmark Alipore Bomb Case (also known as the Alipore Conspiracy Case) of 1908-1909.

'Fake and fraudulent': BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi amid Naravane book row

IANS | February 11, 2026 12:57 PM

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Amid the controversy surrounding the unpublished book 'Four Stars of Destiny' by former Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane, the BJP asserted on Wednesday that the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, along with other 'fake' leaders, is deceiving the nation by disseminating falsehoods.

Making all six stanzas mandatory is deliberate, forceful and wrong: Cong's Dalwai on new ‘Vande Mataram’ protocol

IANS | February 11, 2026 12:56 PM

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Congress leader Husain Dalwai on Wednesday criticised the Centre’s decision to make it mandatory to play or sing the complete six-stanza version of Vande Mataram at official occasions, calling the move “forceful” and claiming that it goes against earlier decisions on the national song’s recognition.

Cong MPs misbehaved with Speaker Om Birla, abused him in chamber: Kiren Rijiju

IANS | February 11, 2026 12:37 PM

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday claimed that Congress MPs misbehaved with Speaker Om Birla in his chamber and abused him, calling it “unprecedented and never seen before” in parliamentary parlance.

Those opposing should step aside: Humayun Kabir as construction of Bengal’s Babri Masjid set to begin today

IANS | February 11, 2026 12:01 PM

Murshidabad, Feb 11 (IANS) Two months after the foundation stone for a replica of the Babri Masjid was laid in Murshidabad, construction of the mosque is set to begin in the West Bengal district from Wednesday. Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) President Humayun Kabir, who was instrumental in beginning the project that has courted controversy, said on Wednesday that those opposing the construction of the mosque should 'step aside'.

AAP MP in Rajya Sabha pushes for 'Right to Recall' of elected public representatives

IANS | February 11, 2026 11:55 AM

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha has strongly advocated for the introduction of a "Right to Recall" mechanism in India, allowing voters to remove non-performing elected representatives such as MPs and MLAs before the end of their term.

Politics

'There should be freedom, can’t force it on anyone': Shia cleric Kalbe Jawad on new 'Vande Mataram' protocol

Imprisonment of human rights attorney couple represents escalation in suppression of dissent in Pakistan: Report

Yogi govt presents Rs 9.12 lakh crore UP Budget with focus on law and order, health, infra

Central schemes deliberately stalled in Bengal, says BJP MP in Rajya Sabha

Bengal revolutionaries who never wrote 'mercy petitions' forgotten: Trinamool MP in Rajya Sabha

'Fake and fraudulent': BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi amid Naravane book row

Making all six stanzas mandatory is deliberate, forceful and wrong: Cong's Dalwai on new ‘Vande Mataram’ protocol

Cong MPs misbehaved with Speaker Om Birla, abused him in chamber: Kiren Rijiju

Those opposing should step aside: Humayun Kabir as construction of Bengal’s Babri Masjid set to begin today

AAP MP in Rajya Sabha pushes for 'Right to Recall' of elected public representatives

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