National News
Kashmir is crown of India, roadblocks in its progress to be removed, says PM Modi

Sonamarg (J&K), Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that Kashmir is the crown of the country, and he desires that this crown should shine better and become more glorious in the days to come.
The Prime Minister said this after inaugurating and dedicating the Sonamarg tunnel to the nation.
PM Modi started his speech by lauding the hard work of the workers who worked to make the Sonamarg tunnel possible and were not deterred from giving the supreme sacrifice.
He offered tribute to civilian workers, who laid down their lives during the construction of the tunnel he inaugurated. He said despite the grave danger to their lives, no worker wanted to go home after the terrorists attacked the Gagangir workers camp. “Nobody wanted to go home even after we lost seven friends to terrorism. My tribute to those martyrs who gave their lives for the country.”
“Kashmir is the crown of India and it is my desire that this crown should become more shining and glorious. In this endeavour, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are helping me. I assure you that any roadblock in the way of realising your dreams will be removed,” the PM assured the people.
He said two days back Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had uploaded some pictures and videos around the tunnel. By seeing those, my eagerness to be here increased. “When I worked here as a BJP worker, I have spent a lot of time in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Ganderbal and Baramulla. It used to snow heavily even in those days. But, the warmth of the people of J&K did not make you feel the cold. Today is a great day, crores of people are taking part in the Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh. Lohri is being celebrated in Punjab. This is the period of the 40-day intense cold of ‘Chillai Kalan’, which people face with a smile in Kashmir. People are coming to Sonamarg from different parts of the country and enjoy your hospitality,” said PM Modi.
“I recently inaugurated the Jammu rail division. Today I have dedicated Sonamarg tunnel to the country and the people of J&K and Ladakh,” he said.
Referring to Omar Abdullah’s demand for statehood, PM Modi said, “Modi always fulfils his promise. Every promise will be fulfilled at the right time. Every decision has a proper time when it is taken,” the PM said.
“This tunnel was started by us, and it is my decision that whatever work we start we must also inaugurate. Sonamarg and the entire area here will get a great boost. In days to come, road and railway projects will be completed. The Valley will soon be connected through railways. New roads, colleges, etc., it will be a ‘Naya Kashmir’ that we have been speaking about,” said the PM.
“In 2040, India will be a developed nation and no family, no area of the country will be left out in that developed India. In the last 10 years, over four crore poor people got concrete houses. In days to come, three crore more people will get new homes. Free healthcare given in the country is beneficial to the people of J&K as well. New IITs, AIIMS, educational institutions, polytechnics, etc., are being opened. Today you have a good road from J&K to Arunachal Pradesh. The world’s highest tunnel, highest railway bridge, and highest cable bridge are also being built in J&K. Ropeways to Shankaracharya temple, and ropeways to other places will be completed in J&K. These projects will make J&K the most connected place in the country. Through better connectivity, hitherto unexplored tourist destinations will be opened up.,” the PM said in his address.
“Peace in J&K has given great dividends. Over two crore tourists came to J&K in 2024. Everybody connected with tourism has benefitted. Our Kashmir is regaining its glory of being the paradise on earth. People go to enjoy ice cream in Lal Chowk in the evening. Polo View market has become a hub of modern activity. People go with families to cinemas. The situation could out have improved without the participation of the people, no government could have done it without the people’s support. There was an international marathon in Srinagar in which the chief minister also participated. I greeted him for that when he met me in Delhi. After 40 years, international cricket was held in Srinagar. We saw car racing in Srinagar. Gulmarg will host the 5th Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg next month,” PM Modi said.
He said that there are greater and better avenues being thrown open for the youth of the union territory. The local youth will not need to go out for better education in the days to come.
The PM said that the J&K bank has crossed Rs 2.30 lakh crore business and this has increased the lending capacity of the bank. “The dark past of J&K has now changed into the future of prosperity and progress,” the PM said.
Before the PM’s address, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari addressed the public rally. He said to make a self-reliant India, we have to ensure road connectivity and infrastructure development.
“US President John F Kennedy said that American roads are good not because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads are good. After completing the 6.4 km long Rs 2,700 crore Sonamarg tunnel, we are also completing the Rs 6,800 crore Zojila tunnel. Ladakh will have all-season connectivity after the Zojila tunnel is completed,” Gadkari said.
He also referred to various corridors being made in J&K and gave details of projects completed in the UT. He spoke of ring roads in Valley and Jammu division.
The Minister said the distance from Delhi to Srinagar will be completed in 7 to 8 hours within one year. “This will, Hon’ble PM, realise your promise of cutting the distance between Dili and Srinagar,” he said.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to seven civilians, who were killed by terrorists on October 20 last year in Gagangir. “Hon’ble PM you have realised the dreams depicted in textbooks by restoring the peace and dignity of the people in J&K. This place is no longer known for terrorism, but for tourism now. By giving reservations to underprivileged classes you have ensured equitable progress and opportunities to the people of J&K. Today, you have inaugurated and dedicated the Rs 2,700 crore tunnel. This tunnel will be the line of good luck and fortune on the hand of J&K. Connectivity to Ladakh will also become a reality in 2026,” he said.
“Projects over Rs 1.50 lakh crore of roads and infrastructure are currently being completed in J&K. 99 per cent villages of the UT have road connectivity now. Soon the dream of national integration from Kashmir to Kanyakumari will be realised through Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. For realising the dreams of every citizen of J&K, I thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister from the depth of my heart,” the Lt Governor said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered the welcome address. He paid tribute to seven civilians killed by terrorists in the Gagangir area on October 20. He also mentioned people killed during the last 35 years by terrorists, including leaders and workers of his party, the National Conference (NC).
“Your August presence, Hon’ble Prime Minister is proof of the fact that we will not allow forces inimical to the unity and integrity of the country to succeed,” the CM said.
He said people waited for long years for the Sonamarg tunnel and the people living in otherwise cut-off Sonamarg will not have to abandon their homes during the winter months now.
The CM lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister for ensuring peace on the borders in J&K. He said the PM’s mission of ending ‘Dil Ki Doori, Aur Dili Se Doori’ is being proved through the PM’s efforts. He praised the PM for ensuring peaceful, fair elections in J&K.
He hoped the PM would soon ensure statehood for J&K so that the UT gets its rightful place in the union of Indian states.
National News
Congress MP Imran Masood calls for banning liquor during Navratri

Saharanpur, March 29: Congress lawmaker Imran Masood said on Saturday that not just meat shops, liquor establishments should be shut during the nine-day festival of Navratri and called for embracing and promoting the spirit of brotherhood and communal harmony.
“Everybody is demanding a ban on meat shops during Navratri. Why is no one asking for a ban on liquor shops? Why is there no outpouring on the free flow of liquor during Navratri? Will this not spoil the purity and sanctity of the festival?” Saharanpur MP said in a special interaction with media.
The Congress Parliamentarian said that peaceful celebration supersedes everything, and it is incumbent upon all communities to maintain decorum during festivities and also make certain sacrifices, be it Eid or Navratri.
Notably, Eid-ul-Fitr and Navratri are coinciding on the same day this year. Both festivals are set to fall on Monday, with little possibility of change in the Eid schedule on account of moon sighting.
Days ago, the Congress MP also extended support to the demands of a meat ban during Navratri celebrations. In an apparent message to the Muslim community, he said that nothing would change if one did not eat meat for ten days.
“What matters above everything is the peaceful co-existence of communities. At no point in time, the differences over food preferences lead to communal strife,” Masood told newspersons.
Congress MP, when asked questions on the party’s strategy for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, said that the Opposition is fully prepared to take on the Centre on “partisan legislation”.
“We opposed the amendments in the JPC meeting, tooth and nail. We will strongly voice our dissent in Parliament too,” he said.
Notably, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the Waqf Bill will not be delayed any further and will be reintroduced in the ongoing session of Parliament.
Only four working days of the Budget Session are left, as it concludes on April 4.
National News
‘PM Narendra Modi Relies On Crutches Of Nitish Kumar And Chandrababu Naidu To Pass Waqf Bill”: AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi spoke on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and said that the BJP does not have a majority in the Lok Sabha, and if Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar oppose it, it won’t be passed.
While speaking to media, Asaduddin Owaisi said that PM Narendra Modi is relying on the crutches of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. He stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is spreading lies in the country regarding the Waqf Bill.
“Amit Shah is the Home Minister of the Government of India and his statement is proof of the fact that you trying to make an unconstitutional law which can be challenged in the court. This is a violation of the articles of the Constitution and the Waqf of the entire country will suffer because of it. You are removing the section of the Waqf property, who will benefit from it. You are omitting the revenue of lakhs of rupees. Amit Shah is lying to the country that you can challenge the Waqf Tribunal in the court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi relies on the crutches of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu and if they do not support this unconstitutional bill, then this law will not be made”, Asaduddin Owaisi said.
Earlier on Friday, Owaisi supported the ‘black band’ protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Owaisi, who is also part of the JPC on the Waqf bill, joined in the symbolic protest on Friday by wearing a black armband as he offered prayers.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that Waqf Amendment Bill, on which JPC has given its report, will be tabled in the Budget session of Parliament. The Budget session is slated to conclude on April 4.
“Nobody needs to get afraid of the Waqf Bill. In 2013, the Congress-led government passed the Waqf Bill and made several provisions that are not aligned with our Constitution. We are now trying to align the bill with constitutional principles,” he said.
Asked about Asaduddin Owaisi’s black arm band protest, Amit Shah said people have a right to do so. “Some do it through their clothes, some through their words. In Parliament, one opposes through logic,” he said.
Crime
Accused in Saif Ali Khan stabbing case files bail plea, claims innocence

Mumbai, March 29: Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, the accused in the stabbing of Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan, has filed a bail petition in the Mumbai Sessions Court, asserting that he is innocent and the case against him is fabricated.
The attack took place in the early hours of January 16 when the accused allegedly entered Saif’s Bandra residence through his youngest son Jeh’s room.
The actor, who was reportedly trying to fend off the assailant, suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite his injuries, Saif managed to go to the hospital on his own, accompanied by his son Taimur.
Shariful Islam Shahzad’s petition, filed through his lawyer, claims that the FIR was wrongly registered and that he has fully cooperated with the police investigation.
His legal team argues that since all evidence is already in police custody, there is no risk of tampering, and therefore, he should be granted bail.
Currently, the case is being handled by the Bandra Magistrate Court, but it falls under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Sessions Court. Once the police file a charge sheet, the case will be transferred to the Sessions Court. However, the charge sheet is yet to be filed.
According to media reports, doctors removed a 2.5-inch knife from Saif’s wound. The actor sustained six stab injuries, two of which were serious as they were near his spine.
The incident reportedly occurred around 2:15 am on January 16 when the accused broke into the house, attacked the house help, and then stabbed Saif when he intervened.
Saif was alerted by noises from Jeh’s room, where he found the accused in an altercation with the house help. Attempting to protect the staff, Saif fought off the intruder with his bare hands before being stabbed multiple times.
Investigations have revealed that the accused, a Bangladeshi national, intended to rob a wealthy individual to finance his mother’s medical treatment in his home country. He has a history of petty theft and was previously dismissed from restaurants in Worli and Thane for stealing.
It is also reported that the attacker was unaware of Saif Ali Khan’s celebrity status and targeted the residence purely because it was located in an upscale apartment complex.
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