Ranchi, Oct 21: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on its INDIA bloc allies, accusing them of keeping the party “bewildered” over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and forcing it to withdraw from the contest.

As the Bihar polls draw closer, internal tensions have surfaced within the Mahagathbandhan, with the JMM announcing its exit from the alliance just a day after declaring plans to contest six seats independently.

The decision, made public by Jharkhand Minister and senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar in Giridih, came amid what he termed “political cunning” by the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Kumar alleged that the senior partners had undermined the JMM’s position and betrayed the principles of coalition politics.

Speaking to media, JMM spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey said, “Somewhere, a situation of confusion has been created that has left us bewildered. We did not want to be excluded from the alliance and made every possible effort, but unfortunately, we failed in our attempts. It is sad and unfortunate that political deceit or broken trust was exercised against us, which could have adverse effects on the INDIA bloc.”

“Will the alliance work like this only? We always supported our allies. We have always given them more. We even made their party leaders ministers. They were able to see the Assembly because of us. I am openly saying this. Even after this, if something like this happens with us, then it is wrong,” he added.

Reacting to the development, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha said the JMM deserved to get seats for the upcoming polls, but Congress should not be blamed for it.

Speaking to media, Sinha said, “I believe the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha is a natural ally, and naturally, it should get seats in Bihar. However, what circumstances arose and what situations developed can only be explained by the leadership, whether from the Rashtriya Janata Dal or the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Discussions did take place, and two representatives from here also went to the talks. What happened there in Bihar, I am not aware, but JMM should have got the seats in Bihar.”

Sinha, however, clarified that the Congress should not be blamed for the fallout.

“The Congress has always made sacrifices for the sake of the alliance. We want the alliance to be formed with full strength because this is a fight to protect democracy and the Constitution. The Congress Party has consistently shown its commitment and sacrifice within the alliance,” he said.

New Delhi, Oct 21: Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday criticised the Ayodhya Deepotsav celebrations, claiming that those who light diyas are the same people who create a Hindu-Muslim divide and are responsible for the oppression of Dalits.

The sacred city of Ayodhya marked this Diwali with a record-breaking Deepotsav celebration that lit up the ghats of the Saryu River and reignited political tempers across the spectrum.

The city entered the Guinness World Records after 26.17 lakh earthen lamps illuminated the riverbanks, while 2,128 devotees performed a synchronised aarti, creating a grand spectacle of spiritual fervour and visual splendour.

A Guinness World Records certificate was formally conferred, underscoring Ayodhya’s growing prominence on the global spiritual map.

Reacting to the event, Udit Raj told IANS, “Those who light diyas are responsible for the Hindu-Muslim divide in the society. They are responsible for Dalit oppression. They only talk about hatred. No matter how many diyas they light, it does not matter. There are several other records in India, like crime against Dalits, poverty, and unemployment. These should also be focused on.”

He also raised concerns over pollution levels in Delhi following Diwali celebrations, for which the Supreme Court had permitted the use of green firecrackers this year.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR remained in the ‘very poor’ category, reaching 400 on Tuesday morning, a day after Diwali festivities, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). While the overall AQI stood at 347, several areas recorded levels in the ‘severe’ category.

“The government is responsible — why did pollution suddenly rise during Diwali? They tried to say that stubble burning caused this, but fireworks went off all night. If anyone questions this, they are labelled anti-Hindu. In other words, if we talk about saving lives or the climate, we are considered against tradition. Now, who will speak up?” Raj asked.

“Another thing is that literate and wealthy people spend so much on crackers. Would we consider this an educated population? The civil society also has its responsibility. What can be more important than health?” he further questioned.

Chandigarh, Oct 21: Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O.P. Singh, along with other senior officers, on Tuesday paid homage to the supreme sacrifices of 191 martyrs by laying a wreath at the Police Martyrs Memorial in Police Lines in Panchkula to mark the Police Commemoration Day.

Extending condolences, Haryana DGP Singh said that whenever “a police personnel lays down his life, the family faces a mountain of hardships. In a single moment, their life’s direction changes — emotional and financial challenges emerge simultaneously.

In such difficult times, it becomes our foremost duty to stand firmly with the bereaved family. In this spirit, Haryana Police has made provisions to provide government jobs and financial assistance up to Rs 1 crore to dependents of the martyrs so that their livelihood continues with dignity and no child is deprived of education or a better future.”

DGP Singh said “martyrdom is regarded as the highest form of sacrifice”.

He emphasised that through imagination and sensitivity, “we must build a civilisation where the lion and the goat can drink water at the same stream, symbolising a balance between strength and peace”.

He said while “it is natural for a lion to take pride in its strength, a goat should not lament its helplessness. There are some criminal elements in society whose tendencies resemble wolves and foxes, driven by violence and selfish motives. Such people must be dealt with firmly and decisively”.

The DGP said those who “consider violence a means of progress are enemies of civilisation. Our fight with them is not ideological but legal. We are people who walk the path of law, and our policy is crystal clear – tit for tat.”

“If a criminal fires one bullet, the police will not retreat; we will ensure justice and security through all possible action.”

He added the police deeply respect those warriors who stand their ground in the battlefield and sacrifice their lives rather than turning their backs.

“These true sons of the soil keep the system alive through their valour and sacrifice.”

In conclusion, DGP Singh said Haryana Police deeply understands the pain of the families of its martyred colleagues.

“We bow to those brave mothers who gave birth to such valiant sons who laid down their lives for the nation,” he said.

“Together, we will make Haryana stronger, safer, and more sensitive, so that the sacrifices of our martyrs continue to inspire generations.”

On October 21, 1959, ten brave personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force were ambushed and martyred by Chinese soldiers while patrolling the Indo-Tibetan border in the Ladakh region. Since then, October 21 has been observed every year as Police Commemoration Day in their memory.