New Delhi, Sep 6: Opposition leaders on Sunday took a jibe at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, saying that he “might have left some of his luggage in America” after the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) announced a ban on any Muslim participation in garba and dandiya events in Maharashtra.

The right-wing organisation has also called on organisers of the events to “verify and identify” the Hindu identity of participants.

The opposition’s jibe was in reference to the RSS chief’s remarks at the “One World, One Humanity” faith leaders’ conference in New York, where Bhagwat said that a Hindu who believes Muslims should have no place in India ceases to be a Hindu, asserting that Hindutva recognises the dignity of every human being and accepts different paths to the same truth.

Speaking to MEDIA, RJD MP Manoj Jha criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, saying: “It seems Mr Fadnavis has outsourced governance, as though the VHP will now oversee administration.”

Referring to the RSS chief’s speech in New York, he remarked: “Probably he left some of his luggage in America and, along with it, all those things that he spoke there have also been left behind in that country. He should bring that luggage back and make his people understand.”

“Please don’t mess with the character of this country,” he added.

Shiv Sena-MP MP Sanjay Raut said: “Who says that Muslims cannot play Garba? People from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who have recently started presenting themselves as religious authorities, are making such statements.”

Terming the ‘Garba’ as a “tradition” of the country, Raut asserted that Muslims have also made a significant contribution to India’s freedom struggle and cultural history.

Echoing a similar view as the RJD MP, he said: “Mohan Bhagwat ji travels abroad and speaks about how there should be no differences between Hindus and Muslims in our country, whether political, cultural or religious. He even said that any Hindu who believes Muslims should be driven out of India ceases to be a Hindu…and here people linked to him are resorting to all these.”

Further, Raut urged the RSS chief to comment on the issue, saying: “Giving different statements in India and New York won’t work.”

Opposing the VHP’s move, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said: “This is completely communal. Garba is a cultural festival, and anyone can participate in it. We strongly condemn this ban on Garba.”

Amaravati, Sep 6: Andhra Pradesh’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) have seized over Rs. 2.5 lakh cash during the surprise checks, conducted against officials of the Transport Department in SPSR Nellore district.

The ACB said on Sunday that acting on credible inputs regarding collection of illegal gratification from vehicle drivers by the officials of the Transport Department, the agency sleuths conducted surprise checks at Musunuru Toll Plaza, National Highway-16, Near Kavali, SPSR Nellore district on the intervening night of September 5 and 6.

During the surprise check, it was noticed that Banavath Gopi Naik, MVI, District Enforcement, Nellore district, was allegedly collecting illegal gratification from vehicle drivers at the Toll plaza, with the assistance of two Home Guards and one private driver, using a KIA Seltos car.

During the searches, the cash found lying on the roadside was secured and counted in the presence of the mediators, and an amount of Rs.68,800 was found, the ACB said in a release.

Thereafter, the KIA Seltos car of MVI was searched in the presence of the mediators, during which Rs.1,80,000 cash was found concealed in the dicky of the vehicle. The said amount, which was found to be unaccounted for and suspected to be connected with illegal gratification, was seized by the DSP, ACB, Nellore Range, in the presence of official mediators, for further enquiry, the anti-graft agency said.

The ACB has urged the public to report any instances of corruption in government departments to their respective local ACB offices or ACB toll-free No.1064 or ACB mobile No.94404 40057 or ACB email ID complaints-acb@ap.gov.in. The details of informants will be kept confidential, it said.

There have been several complaints of Transport Department officials demanding bribes in different parts of the State.

In March, 2026, the ACB had conducted surprise raids at multiple locations linked to Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (AMVI) Pillutla Lokanadha Prasad, posted in Machilipatnam, in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

Acting on credible information that the officer had amassed wealth beyond his known sources of income, the ACB registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended 2018).

Officials had seized property documents, electronic gadgets and other incriminating material. According to ACB, the accused officials owned three houses in Vijayawada, a site at Gunadala, and 2.75 acres of agricultural land in Munagala village, Suryapeta district, Telangana.

Patna, Sep 6: The flood situation in Bihar remained serious on Sunday as rising water levels in several rivers affected nearly 16.85 lakh people (1.685 million) across 11 districts of the state, even as relief and rescue operations are being carried out continuously by the administration in the affected areas.

According to official figures, the flooding has affected 61 blocks and 300 gram panchayats across 11 districts. Authorities have intensified relief measures to provide food, shelter and other essential assistance to people impacted by the floods.

As part of the ongoing relief operations, 80 community kitchens are currently functioning in the flood-affected districts. So far, around 1.21 lakh people have been provided meals through these centres. In addition, one relief camp is operational, providing accommodation, food, medical assistance, and other essential facilities to 326 flood-affected people.

To provide immediate relief to affected residents, authorities have distributed around 45,900 polythene sheets and 11,700 dry ration packets so far. To facilitate the evacuation and movement of people in flood-hit areas, a total of 1,158 boats are currently being operated across the state.

In view of the possibility of further flooding, 27 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in different districts to undertake rapid relief and rescue operations.

According to Water Resources Department data recorded between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Ganga remained above the danger mark at several major locations in Bihar.

At Buxar, the Ganga was recorded 0.08 metres above the danger mark, although the water level was showing a declining trend. At Dighaghat in Patna, the level was 1.54 metres above the danger mark, while at Gandhighat, it was 1.96 metres above and at Hathidah, 1.74 metres above the danger mark. The water level at Gandhighat was stable, while Hathidah recorded a rising trend.

At Munger, the Ganga was 0.51 metre above the danger mark and continued to rise. At Sultanganj, the level was 2.01 metres above the danger mark, while at Bhagalpur it was 0.65 metres above it. The river also remained above the danger mark at Kahalgaon.

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj and Varanasi, the Ganga remained below the warning level. The water level was rising in Prayagraj, while a declining trend was recorded in Varanasi.

Barrage discharge data showed that at 9 a.m. on September 6, the Sone Barrage at Indrapuri was releasing 2,27,739 cusecs of water, with the flow showing a declining trend. The Kosi Barrage at Birpur recorded a discharge of 1,68,400 cusecs, which remained stable. The Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar was releasing 1,29,000 cusecs, with the discharge also reported to be stable.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre has forecast light to moderate rainfall at several places across the state over the next two days. Heavy rainfall is also possible at some locations.

In view of the possibility of further rainfall and a corresponding rise in river water levels, authorities have been kept on alert to undertake relief and rescue operations. The state government and district administrations are closely monitoring the situation in flood-affected areas, with relief materials, boats and rescue teams being deployed as required.