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As AAP, BJP trade barbs over voters’ list, EC to publish final Delhi electoral rolls on Jan 6

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New Delhi, Dec 30: While the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engage in a war of words, accusing each other of manipulating the voters’ list ahead of the imminent Assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Office (Delhi) is set to ‘settle’ the controversy by publishing the final list of electoral rolls, early next month.

Sharing information about registration of new voters, the Electoral office said that since November 28 this year, about 4.8 lakh forms have been received for New Voter Registrations and the final Electoral rolls would be published on January 6, 2025.

The battle for Delhi has heated up recently, with both AAP and BJP upping the ante against each other.

The AAP has accused the BJP of conniving with EC officials to get the names of voters in its strongholds deleted from the voters’ list while the BJP claims that the AAP government has been ‘nurturing’ Rohingyas as its vote bank by providing them shelter in the capital.

With the EC putting the facts in public domain, it is likely to clear the air over the raging controversy and bring an end to barb-trading over electoral rolls.

“The process of updation i.e. addition, deletion and modification is a continuous activity and the same is undergoing at present also. Between November 29, 2024, and the present date 4,85,624 applications for new registrations (Form 6), 82,450 applications for deletions (Form 7), and 1,71,385 applications for modifications (Form 8) have been received till date,” it said in a press statement.

It also said that the citizens who have not yet registered as voters can still apply for enrolment using Form 6.

For modifications or deletions in the electoral roll, Form 8 and Form 7 can be filed.

It also informed that till date, 8 FIRs have been filed for submitting false documents for voter registration in the Okhla Assembly constituency and strict action is being contemplated.

“If political parties have any objection to any addition/deletions/modifications carried out in the Electoral roll during the special summary revision period and during the continuous updation, they can file their objections before the ERO/AERO/BLO concerned,” it said.

It said that the addition of names will be carried out till the last date of filing nominations and emphasised that voters must ensure their names are correctly reflected in the electoral roll, as mere possession of a voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote.

It also said that mere possession of a voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote.

“If any person makes, in connection with the preparation, revision or correction of an electoral roll or the inclusion or exclusion of any entry in or from an electoral roll, a statement or declaration in writing, which is false and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, he shall be punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine or with both,” the Delhi CEC said.

National News

Eid shopping in Kashmir picks up as people throng markets

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Srinagar, June 5: Traffic jams, pedestrian malls packed with pavement sellers, sacrificial animal markets dotting scores of places and buyers jostling and haggling mark the Eid al-Adha shopping in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city and other cities and towns of the Valley.

Against fears that less enthusiastic shoppers would turn out to mark the Eid eve preparations, Kashmiris are coming out in large numbers, smiling and full of enthusiasm to celebrate the holiest festival of Bakr Eid or Eid al Adha on June 7. The festival also marks the successful conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Bakery shops, hosiery outlets and poultry shops were bustling with buyers, but the main focus remained on the sacrificial animal markets.

City’s largest sacrificial animal market at Eidgah grounds had flocks of sheep, goats, and a few camels available for the devout to buy. Although rates are competitive and reasonable at the various sacrificial animal markets yet the better-bred sheep and goats are a little costlier than the average breeds.

Muslims all over the World offer animal sacrifices on Bakr Eid to commemorate the sacrifice offered by Prophet Abrahim, who, under Allah’s command, chose to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in submission to the divine command. When Prophet Abrahim blindfolded himself and started to move the blade on Ismail’s throat, a sheep from Heaven replaced Ismail under the knife as Ismail stood smiling some distance away from his father. The father’s ultimate submission to Allah’s will finally became a great celebration as Abrahim returned home holding his son Ismail’s hand in joy.

It is to commemorate the great sacrifice Prophet Abrahim chose to make and the even greater blessing of Allah to accept the sacrifice and save Ismail from the knife that Muslims join in global festivities on Bakr Eid. The festival is a day of great joy and yet of the universal reminder that everything finally lies in the hands of God, by whatever name the believers might remember Him.

Children held by parents thronged markets to buy toys and new clothes as Kashmiris, for once, decided to forget the load on their purses. Locals spend lavishly on the Eid festival as it is a rare moment of joy and faith culminating in prayer and festivities.

For a change, the traffic cops were seen behaving leniently towards motorists and pavement sellers. The motorists ignoring traffic discipline blocked major and minor traffic arteries in the city while pavement sellers spread their merchandise on the pedestrian malls, forcing pedestrians to walk in the middle of the roads.

Having been witness to the worst violence unleashed by the terrorists during the last 35 years, Kashmiris are fast finding their journey to peace and tranquillity decorated with joyous festivals like Eid, Shivratri, Gurupurab, Christmas and Buddha Purnima.

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National News

Bengaluru Stampede: A Tragic Timeline Of RCB Victory Parade That Killed 11 & Injured 40

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Bengaluru: What was meant to be a joyful homecoming for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their historic Indian Premier League (IPL) win, turned into a nightmare on Wednesday, June 4.

Crowds in the hundreds of thousands flooded the streets of Bengaluru and gathered around the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, hoping to celebrate with their team. But the poorly managed event, marked by last-minute decisions and massive miscalculations, led to a deadly stampede that reportedly claimed at least 11 lives and injured over 40 others.

Here’s a detailed timeline of how the day unfolded:

Morning to Early Afternoon:

The victorious RCB squad landed in Bengaluru and made their way to the Vidhana Soudha to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Crowds began assembling early across the city, especially outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the main celebration was to be held.

2:00 PM: Thousands of fans had already gathered outside the stadium, many queuing up at the 13 entry gates, hours ahead of the planned felicitation.

3:00 PM: The roads around the stadium became heavily congested as the crowds swelled further. Police presence was significant but overwhelmed by the sheer volume of attendees. Originally, access to the stadium was controlled through passes, but a late announcement declared open entry for all fans, leading to confusion and chaos.

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM: The official victory parade, scheduled to start around 3:30 PM from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium, further intensified the rush. The stadium gates became choke points as people surged forward to secure a spot inside. Barricades were unable to hold the pressure and eventually gave way. In the scramble, people were trampled, resulting in a horrific stampede. Footwear and belongings littered the ground as survivors attempted to carry the injured to safety.

5:00 PM: News began trickling out about the scale of the disaster. Initial reports spoke of three deaths, but the number rapidly climbed. As of now, 11 people have been confirmed dead, and 47 others are being treated for injuries. Disturbingly, the on-field celebrations inside the stadium continued for some time before the extent of the tragedy became clear.

Here’s What Authorities Said

According to a report submitted to the Karnataka government by the Director General and Inspector General of Police, the stampede was caused by an “unexpected gathering of thousands of fans” trying to enter the stadium between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. The report stated, “All possible security arrangements were made… however, due to the unexpected gathering of thousands of fans… a barricade was broken, and people fell on each other, resulting in a stampede.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his sorrow, admitting that the government did not anticipate such a massive turnout. “The crowd turnout exceeded all expectations… The stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000, but an estimated two to three lakh people turned up. The pain of this tragedy has also erased the joy of victory,” he said.

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for each of the deceased’s families, and medical care for the injured will be fully covered by the state.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, echoing similar sentiments, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We are heartbroken by this tragic incident… We did not anticipate such an overwhelming crowd. While the stadium holds 35,000, over 3 lakh people had gathered.”

“Your pain is ours. We stand with our people – in this sorrow,” he added.

An investigation into the stampede has been ordered and a report is expected within 15 days.

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Even UN-designated terrorists didn’t say India surrendered: BJP slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘dangerous’ mentality

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New Delhi, June 4: The BJP on Wednesday escalated its criticism of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his controversial “Narendra, surrender” remark, accusing him of displaying a “sick and dangerous” mentality and asserting that he lacks the maturity and seriousness expected from someone in his position.

At a press conference held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi tore into Gandhi, saying, “On one hand, members of various opposition parties, including Congress MPs, who were part of the joint parliamentary delegation sent by India, are returning after strongly and unitedly presenting India’s position in various countries across the world.”

“On the other hand, Congress’ self-proclaimed leader and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is making utterly shallow and frivolous remarks, showing the world that even after attaining the position of LoP, he severely lacks the seriousness and maturity the role demands,” he said.

Trivedi took strong exception to Gandhi’s comments linking Operation Sindoor to “surrender,” saying it was an insult to the armed forces.

“How Rahul Gandhi compared our armed forces’ valour and army officers’ brief on Operation Sindoor’s success with surrender shows how sick and dangerous his mentality has become,” he remarked.

He went on to say that Gandhi’s comments surpassed even those made by India’s adversaries.

“Till now, Congress leaders were making headlines in the Pakistani media, their statements were being quoted in Pakistan’s parliament, and Rahul Gandhi’s statements also made their place in Pakistan’s dossier. But for the first time, Rahul Gandhi has said something which even the Army Chief of Pakistan has not said, nor has any terrorist organisation of Pakistan. Even Masood Azhar or Hafiz Saeed have not said such a thing. None of them said that India surrendered,” he added.

Trivedi posed a sharp question to Gandhi, asking, “Does he want to get one step ahead of these people? Till now, he was giving cover fire to the people of Pakistan, the Pakistani Army and terrorist organisations. Is he trying to become their leader now?”

Calling Gandhi’s words a grave insult to national pride and the Indian Army, Trivedi said, “He doesn’t realise how badly he is insulting this country’s self-respect and the army’s valour.”

Trivedi further questioned the LoP’s political judgment and leadership, saying, “The level of intelligence and wisdom of someone who sees receiving less mandate in their third attempt in the election as a success, and views PM Modi being elected as the Prime Minister for the third time as a defeat, is obvious.”

He also challenged the Congress party to clarify its stance: “According to the Congress, has their Leader of Opposition insulted the Indian Army by using the word ‘surrender’ or not?”

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