Palestine’s Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, met members of pro-Palestinian groups at a meeting organised by the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Parel on Sunday.

Shawesh said the Palestinian administration supported ongoing efforts to bring peace to Gaza and did not endorse the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians. He also offered a historical perspective, rejecting Israel’s claim that the land historically belonged solely to Jews, and clarified that the Palestinian struggle was not religious but territorial, involving multiple communities including Christians and Jews.

Zeenat Shaukat Ali, director general of the Wisdom Foundation, attended the event, where the envoy highlighted India’s long-standing support for Palestinian rights since the time of Mahatma Gandhi. He mentioned that India has pledged to construct a hospital in Gaza once rebuilding begins.

On Monday, Shawesh posted on ‘X’ about his Mumbai engagements, thanking CPI leaders, AITUC members, and hosts for their solidarity and commitment to Palestine. He also praised India’s Ministry of External Affairs for being available to the Palestinian mission around the clock.

Veteran actor Asrani passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the age of 84. Many Bollywood celebrities and politicians took to social media to mourn his demise. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X (Twitter) to mourn the Sholay actor’s demise.

PM Modi tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Govardhan Asrani Ji. A gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist, he entertained audiences across generations. He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances.”

“His contribution to Indian cinema will always be cherished. My condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” he further wrote.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, also took to X (Twitter) to mourn the demise of Asrani. He tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the demise of the legendary actor Govardhan Asrani ji. His unmatched versatility and unique sense of humor brought joy and laughter to millions.”

“From the iconic jailer in Sholay to memorable roles in Chupke Chupke, Golmaal, Aap Ki Kasam, Abhimaan, Baton Baton Mein, Chhoti Si Baat, Dhamaal, and many more, his performances have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. My humble tributes to him and deepest condolences to his family and millions of fans. Om Shanti (sic),” he further wrote.

Asrani’s first movie was Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan which was released in 1967. Later, he starred in many famous films like Guddi, Bawarchi, Parichay, Namak Haraam, Chupke Chupke, Sholay, and many more.

His character of Jailer in Sholay is still remembered by one and all. Moviegoers will never forget the famous dialogue mouthed by him, “Aadhe idhar jao… aadhe idhar jao… aur baaki hamare saath aao.”

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday reaffirmed the state government’s firm stance on the issue of OBC reservation, assuring that “no one’s rightful share will be taken away and given to someone else.”

Responding to questions about differing opinions among three major leaders on the matter, Bawankule clarified that the Government Resolution (GR) issued on September 2 is currently sub judice.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further as the matter is before the court. However, it is important to note that the Hyderabad Gazette applies only to the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, not to Western Maharashtra. Therefore, the Maratha-Kunbi community from that region cannot benefit from it,” he explained.

Appealing to OBC leaders not to misunderstand the government’s intentions, Bawankule said, “Everyone can be assured that no one’s share will be diverted to another. The government remains committed to protecting the rights of all communities.”

He reiterated that the Mahayuti government is focused on maintaining social balance and ensuring that the interests of OBCs remain safeguarded while addressing concerns of other communities.

Switching focus to regional development, Bawankule shared details of an important meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss growth plans for Nagpur rural areas, NMRDA (Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority), and Nagpur city.

“A significant meeting was held under the Chief Minister’s chairmanship to discuss development in Nagpur’s rural and urban areas. Several major decisions were taken to accelerate overall growth,” he said.

Bawankule added that the meeting focused on ensuring that the benefits of various government schemes reach citizens efficiently, with a strong push for infrastructure and public welfare initiatives.

“The decisions taken today will give a strong boost to development works across the Nagpur region,” he stated.