'Dhurandhar 2' sparks controversy; Maulanas allege film promotes division

IANS | March 19, 2026 3:38 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The release of the film 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge' has triggered fresh controversy, with religious leaders raising concerns over its content and portrayal of communities. On Thursday, the All India Muslim Jamaat chief Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi and Chief Mufti of Uttar Pradesh (Shahi Mufti UP) Maulana Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain accused film-makers of fuelling divisions between Hindus and Muslims for commercial gain.

Mamata Banerjee attacks ECI over transfers, deputations of bureaucrats, cops

IANS | March 19, 2026 3:04 PM

Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday lambasted the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the latter's decision to transfer bureaucrats and police officers in the state and also sending many of them on deputation as general and police observers in other poll-bound states almost daily since the model code of conduct came into force after the announcement of the polling dates for four states and one union territory

Vikram Doraiswami appointed as India's next Ambassador to China

IANS | March 19, 2026 3:02 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Vikram K Doraiswami, presently High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.

Explained: RELIEF scheme to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions

IANS | March 19, 2026 2:54 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The time-bound Rs 497 crore RELIEF (Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) will support Indian exporters affected by extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia and war-related export risks arising from disruptions in the Gulf and wider West Asia maritime corridor, the government said on Thursday.

India's power plants well stocked with coal as PSUs step up production

IANS | March 19, 2026 2:45 PM

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) India's thermal power plants have adequate coal stocks of around 53.41 million tonnes which are adequate for nearly 23 days at the present rate of consumption, and further stocks are also being built up at the pitheads of coal mining companies as a proactive measure to meet any exigency amid the disruption in oil and gas supplies due to the Iran war, the Ministry of Coal said on Thursday.