New Delhi, Jan 7: BJP leaders on Wednesday strongly condemned the stone-pelting incident that took place during a demolition drive near a mosque in Old Delhi, asserting that the action was carried out strictly against encroachments in accordance with a High Court order.

They said those responsible for creating chaos and attacking security personnel must be dealt with firmly under the law.

The incident occurred near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area, close to the Ramlila Ground, where the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) launched an anti-encroachment operation to remove unauthorised structures from land adjoining the mosque and nearby areas, in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court on November 12, 2025.

As the demolition process began, a large number of local residents gathered outside the mosque, raising slogans and protesting against the action. The situation soon escalated when some members of the crowd attempted to breach police barricades and started pelting stones at security personnel deployed at the site.

Reacting to the incident, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal told media, “I have been informed by the officials that this was a High Court order. The forces removed encroachments on government land. I am a resident of Old Delhi, and the people here are peace-loving. The removal was carried out strictly under the law and as per the High Court order.”

“The local police are investigating the matter, and based on CCTV footage, appropriate action will be taken. The police are monitoring the case,” he further said.

Minister Ashish Sood described the incident as unfortunate and said the demolition was carried out strictly under court directions.

“This is an unfortunate incident. Action was taken against commercial establishments near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque strictly as per court orders, but some anti-social elements protested and resorted to stone-pelting, which is unacceptable,” Sood told reporters.

“The mosque remains completely safe, and the government has no role in the action, which is court-directed. Those involved in violence will face legal action, and people are urged to identify miscreants who incite such acts, as innocent youths ultimately suffer legal consequences,” he added.

Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also underlined that the action was based on judicial orders.

“These are orders from the High Court, and the High Court’s orders are being implemented. However, those who are doing such activities are wrong, and the police must take action against them. Whether it is an order from the High Court or the Supreme Court, it is the duty of the police and the government to enforce it,” he said.

Speaking to Media, Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht said unauthorised encroachments must be removed irrespective of their nature.

“Certainly, action should be taken in cases where there is unauthorised encroachment, and such encroachments must be removed. If illegal constructions of mosques or wedding halls have been made in areas like the Ramlila Ground, the importance of the location must be respected, and such action should definitely be taken,” he said.

Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said that any encroachment must be removed. “There is no question of caste, community, or religious sentiment in this matter. Anything that causes inconvenience to individuals or society should be addressed and removed,” he told Media.

Meanwhile, police have registered an FIR under sections related to rioting, assault on a government servant and obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of official duties.

The police said 10 individuals have been identified and detained, and searches are underway to trace others allegedly involved in the violence.

Further details in the case are awaited.

Mumbai, Jan 7: The Indian benchmark indices posted mild losses early on Wednesday amid rising geopolitical tensions and fresh tariff-related concerns, tracking mixed cues from Asian markets.

As of 9.30 am, Sensex slipped 156 points, or 0.18 per cent to 84,907 and Nifty eased 54 points, or 0.21 per cent to 26,124.

Main broad-cap indices showed clear divergence with benchmark indices, with the Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.22 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 0.25 per cent.

Sectorally, Nifty Auto was the top loser down 0.49 per cent. Sectors such as consumer durables, IT and metal gained 1.15 per cent, 0.91 per cent and 0.53 per cent, respectively.

Immediate support lies at 26,000–26,050 zone, and resistance placed at 26,300–26,350 zone, market watchers said.

Analysts said that recent market movements have been devoid of any trend and clear direction with few mega stocks disproportionately affecting the market. Despite positive institutional buying, Nifty fell 71 points yesterday due to sharp declines in two stocks, they said.

These two stocks’ large derivative and cash market volumes indicated settlement day activity, which were technical rather than fundamental, they added.

Events and news may cause high volatility in the future with US President Donald Trump’s tweet or action remaining a key watch point. Investors also closely watch the US Supreme Court verdict on Trump tariffs. If the verdict goes against the reciprocal tariffs, it will create huge volatility in stock markets, market watchers said.

Asian region traded mixed with defence stocks snapping the two-day winning streak. Investors weighed in geopolitical risks after the US attack on Venezuela and renewed rhetoric over Greenland.

In Asian markets, China’s Shanghai index added 0.29 per cent, and Shenzhen gained 0.35 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei lost 0.64 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index shed 1.01 per cent. South Korea’s Kospi advanced 1.18 per cent.

The US markets were in the green zone overnight as Nasdaq added 0.65 per cent. The S&P 500 gained 0.62 per cent, and the Dow moved up 0.99 per cent.

On January 6, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold net equities worth Rs 106 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers of equities worth Rs 1,749 crore.

Akola/Thane, Jan 7: Politics continues to throw up unlikely alliances. After partnering with its traditional rival Congress to wrest control of the Ambernath Municipal Council from the Shiv Sena, the BJP has now stitched together an equally surprising alliance with Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in Akot to secure control of the Municipal Council there.

In Akot, BJP’s Maya Dhule was elected President despite the party falling short of a majority in the 35-member council. Of the 33 seats contested last month, the BJP won only 11. To bridge the gap, the party floated a new front — the Akot Vikas Manch — to consolidate numbers.

In a move that has raised eyebrows across political circles, the AIMIM, which secured five seats and was the BJP’s principal rival in the contest, has joined the BJP-led alliance. The front also includes both factions of the Shiv Sena (Shinde and UBT), both factions of the NCP (Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar), and Bacchu Kadu’s Prahar Janshakti Party.

BJP corporator Ravi Thakur has been appointed group leader, and a whip has been issued mandating alliance members to vote as directed by the BJP.

With this combination, the ruling alliance commands the support of 25 councillors, plus the President, taking its effective strength to 26 in the 33-member house. The Congress (6) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (2) will sit in the opposition.

The final tally of the 33 elected seats in Akot stands at: BJP 11, Congress 6, AIMIM 5, Prahar Janshakti Party 3, Shiv Sena (UBT) 2, NCP (Ajit Pawar) 2, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi 2, Shiv Sena (Shinde) 1 and NCP (Sharad Pawar) 1.

The Akot alliance has sparked controversy, particularly in light of the BJP’s recent high-decibel “Batenge toh Katenge” campaign during the Assembly elections, with critics pointing out the contradiction between the slogan and a tie-up with the AIMIM.

A similar display of political pragmatism unfolded in Thane district’s Ambernath Municipal Council. In a setback for its state-level ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the BJP entered into an understanding with the Congress to secure control of the civic body.

In the 60-member Ambernath council, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, followed by the BJP (14), Congress (12), NCP (Ajit Pawar) (4) and three independents. By aligning with the Congress, NCP and two independents, the BJP cobbled together a working majority of 32 seats, capturing the President’s post and relegating the Shinde faction to the opposition. The Shiv Sena, even with the support of one independent, fell short at 28.

Despite the BJP’s national pitch for a “Congress-mukt Bharat,” the party’s local unit has moved ahead with Congress support to retain power, triggering visible discontent within the MahaYuti alliance.

Now attention is focused on how these “unnatural” alliances will play out on the ground — and how the BJP leadership reconciles these local compulsions with its broader political messaging.