Vande Mataram in Bengal madrasas: BJP's Praveen Khandelwal hails move, Muslim leader Barelvi says should be decided by people

IANS | May 21, 2026 10:32 PM

New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal on Thursday hailed the decision of the West Bengal government to make singing of "Vande Mataram" mandatory in madrasas across the state. However, Islamic scholar Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi opposed the move, saying no one can be pressurised to sing the national song.

India diversifying energy sources, deepening global strategic ties

IANS | May 21, 2026 5:22 PM

New Delhi, May 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's multi-nation tour highlights India's accelerating efforts to diversify energy sources, deepen strategic partnerships, and position itself as a key bridge between the Middle East and Europe in an increasingly fragmented global order, according to a news article.