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Raj Thackeray urges Fadnavis govt to withdraw decision to introduce Hindi as 3rd language in schools

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Mumbai, April 17: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday took strong objection to the Devendra Fadnavis-led state government’s move to introduce Hindi as a compulsory language in Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English schools, saying that “the party will not allow the Centre’s current efforts to ‘Hindi-fy’ everything to succeed in Maharashtra”.

He also announced that the MNS would not tolerate this compulsion while appealing to the state government to immediately withdraw this decision.

In his post on X, Thackeray said: “I request all my Marathi mothers, sisters and brothers in Maharashtra as well as all my brothers and sisters working in Marathi newspapers and Marathi news channels to condemn and oppose this without any debate! And yes, if other political parties in Maharashtra have even a little love for the Marathi language, they will also oppose this. Today they are forcing languages, tomorrow they will issue other forced fatwas.”

He further said: “We will not allow the Central government’s current efforts to ‘Hindi-fy’ everything to succeed in this state. Hindi is not a national language. It is a state language like other languages in the country. Why should it be taught in Maharashtra from the very beginning? Whatever your trilingual formula is, limit it to government affairs, do not bring it to education.

“The formation of linguistic regions was done in this country, and it lasted for so many years. But why have you just now started imposing the language of another region on Maharashtra?

“Every language is beautiful and there is a long history and tradition behind its formation. And its respect should be maintained in the state where it is the language. Just as Marathi should be respected by other speakers in Maharashtra, so should all speakers of that language be respected in other states. It is our insistence that even the Marathi people living in other states should consider the language of that state as their own. But if you are going to ignore this and try to ruin the linguistic tradition of this country, we do not accept it,” the MNS chief said.

“We are Hindus but not Hindi! If you try to paint Maharashtra as Hindi, then there is bound to be a struggle in Maharashtra. If you look at all this, you will realise that the government is deliberately creating this struggle. Is this all an attempt to create a struggle between Marathi and non-Marathi in the upcoming elections and take advantage of it? The non-Marathi speakers of this state should also understand this plan of the government. It is not that they have any special love for your language. They want to burn their own political coals by inciting you,” he warned.

“Today, the state’s financial situation is dire, the government has no money left for schemes. Marathi youth are waiting for jobs. They (MahaYuti alliance) said before the elections that they would waive off loans, but later they did not do so. Therefore, the farmers who were hoping for loan waiver are disappointed. And it is as if the industry has turned its back on Maharashtra. When there is nothing to say or show concretely, then the British mantra of divide and rule is being used here, steps are being taken by the government to raise suspicions,” the MNS chief said.

He further wondered: “Well, why force Hindi in Maharashtra? Will you force Hindi in a southern state like this? And if you do, the governments there will be outraged. The state government and its constituent parties tolerate all this silently, so this is being forced here. We don’t know about the rest and we don’t care, but the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will not tolerate this.”

Raj Thackeray said that the school administration should take note that the compulsion to learn Hindi language from first grade will not be tolerated in Maharashtra. Hindi books from the school curriculum will not be sold in shops and schools and will not be allowed to distribute those books to students.

“In every state, only their official language should be respected! Tomorrow, will Marathi language be taught from the first grade in all states? No, right? Then why this compulsion here? I appeal to the government not to stress this issue. But if you are going to impose Hindi, then the struggle is inevitable and only the government will be responsible for it. Therefore, the government should respect the sentiments of the people and order to immediately withdraw this decision,” he said.

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Driver arrested after fatal hit-and-run that killed scooty rider in Northwest Delhi

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New Delhi, July 7: Delhi Police arrested the driver of a Mercedes car in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a 29-year-old scooty rider near the Jahangirpuri Bus Stand on the Outer Ring Road in northwest Delhi, officials said on Tuesday.

The accident took place on July 5 near the Foot Over Bridge at the Jahangirpuri Bus Stand on the GTK Bypass stretch towards ISBT. Police said they received information about a road accident in which a scooty rider had sustained serious injuries. The victim was rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial (BJRM) Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The deceased was identified as Deepak, a resident of Mangolpuri in Delhi.

According to Delhi Police, the investigation gained momentum after a PCR caller informed officers that a Mercedes car bearing registration number HR-51BT-6304 had hit the scooty before fleeing the spot.

“The vehicle was traced, and after serving notice under Section 133 of the Motor Vehicles Act to the registered owner, it was revealed that Ansh Pratap Singh was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident,” Delhi Police said.

Based on the findings of the investigation, police registered FIR No. 436/2026 at Jahangir Puri Police Station under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), dealing with rash or negligent driving and causing death by negligence.

“The accused driver was identified and arrested. Further investigation is in progress,” Delhi Police said.

Police are also examining the circumstances leading to the accident and collecting additional evidence, including CCTV footage and witness statements, to establish the sequence of events.

The arrest comes after investigators tracked down the luxury vehicle using its registration details provided by the eyewitness who alerted the police through the PCR helpline. Officials said further legal proceedings will be carried out as the investigation continues.

Delhi Police have not yet disclosed whether the accused was under the influence of alcohol or whether any additional charges may be invoked, stating that the investigation is still underway.

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Delhi HC grants injunction in favour of Ravi Kishan in personality rights case

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The Delhi High Court has granted an ex parte ad-interim injunction in favour of actor and BJP MP, Ravi Kishan, restraining multiple entities from unauthorised commercial exploitation of his name, image, voice and other personality attributes, including through Artificial Intelligence (AI), deepfake technology and other digital tools.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Jyoti Singh passed the interim order in a commercial suit filed by Ravi Kishan alias Ravindra Shukla against several defendants, including social media accounts, websites, domain name registrars, intermediaries and unidentified “John Doe” entities allegedly involved in the unauthorised use of his persona.

The suit alleged widespread misuse of the actor-politician’s personality and publicity rights through AI-generated content, vulgar and obscene videos, fabricated statements circulated on social media, unauthorised commercial exploitation of his identity, and pornographic content falsely associated with him.

It also alleged that several websites were using Ravi Kishan’s name in relation to sexually explicit and pornographic material, while social media accounts had uploaded fabricated and offensive content that tarnished his image and reputation.

In its order, the Delhi High Court observed that Ravi Kishan is a renowned actor with an illustrious career spanning over three decades and has also earned recognition as a public representative, enjoying substantial goodwill, reputation and commercial value.

Justice Singh recorded that the plaintiff has starred in over 750 films across multiple languages and that his commercial identity is intrinsically linked with his name, image, likeness, voice, signature catchphrases and other distinctive personality attributes, which constitute valuable personality and publicity rights.

“Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for grant of ex parte ad-interim injunction. Balance of convenience lies in favour of the Plaintiff and he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in case interim injunction is not granted,” the Delhi High Court said.

It further observed that Ravi Kishan has the exclusive right to protect the various attributes of his personality and restrain third parties from using or commercially exploiting them without his express permission.

“As rightly flagged by the Plaintiff, he has the exclusive right to protect the various attributes of his personality such as name, image, voice, likeness and restrain third parties from using and commercially exploiting these attributes without his express permission and authority,” the order said.

Justice Singh observed that personality rights are now judicially recognised and deserve legal protection, particularly where unauthorised use results in commercial detriment, invasion of privacy and injury to a person’s dignity.

“Plaintiff is thus entitled to complain against any content which violates his personality rights and/or is vulgar or obscene or has sexually explicit or pornographic content and tarnishes his image, goodwill and reputation in the public and amongst family and friends and seek protection as well as action against the wrongdoers,” the order said.

Accordingly, the Delhi High Court restrained the defendants and all others acting on their behalf from using or exploiting Ravi Kishan’s name, image, likeness or any other identifiable aspect of his persona for commercial or personal gain through any technology, including Artificial Intelligence, Generative Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and deepfakes, across physical, virtual and social media platforms.

It also restrained the defendants from posting any audio-visual, vulgar, obscene or pornographic content using any of the actor’s personality attributes through AI or other technologies.

Directing immediate remedial action, the Delhi High Court ordered the identified defendants and domain name registrars to take down the infringing URLs listed in the order within three days of receiving a copy of the order.

It further directed intermediaries, including Meta, Google and X Corp., to remove the identified content within 72 hours upon being notified by the plaintiff if the concerned defendants failed to comply.

The matter has been listed before the Joint Registrar on August 13 for completion of pleadings and before the Delhi High Court on October 16 for further hearing.

The Ravi Kishan case adds to a growing list of high-profile personalities invoking their personality and publicity rights before the Delhi High Court.

In recent months, former cricketer and current head coach Gautam Gambhir, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, actors Arjun Kapoor, Allu Arjun, Nagarjuna, Varun Dhawan, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, singer Jubin Nautiyal, filmmaker Karan Johar, podcaster Raj Shamani, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor have secured or sought court protection against the unauthorised use of their identity, likeness, or AI-generated imitations.

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PM Modi inaugurates Rs 480-crore Jodhpur Airport terminal, boosting air connectivity in western Rajasthan

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Jodhpur, July 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, marking a significant milestone in Rajasthan’s aviation infrastructure.

The Rs 480-crore project is expected to strengthen regional air connectivity, enhance passenger convenience, and provide a major boost to tourism, trade, and economic activity in western Rajasthan.

The newly constructed terminal spans more than 23,000 square metres and has the capacity to handle 20 lakh (2 million) passengers annually, substantially increasing the airport’s ability to cater to the region’s growing air traffic.

Inspired by Rajasthan’s rich architectural heritage, the terminal seamlessly blends traditional design elements with modern infrastructure.

The building features motifs and architectural styles reflective of the state’s cultural legacy while offering contemporary passenger amenities aimed at improving the overall travel experience.

The terminal has also been designed with sustainability at its core.

It incorporates energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and green building practices, making it an environmentally responsible addition to the country’s expanding aviation network.

The inauguration of the new terminal is expected to improve domestic and regional connectivity for Jodhpur and neighbouring districts, making the city more accessible to tourists and business travellers alike.

Officials believe the upgraded infrastructure will further strengthen Jodhpur’s position as a key tourism destination while creating new opportunities for commerce, investment, and employment across the Marwar region.

During the programme, Prime Minister Modi also launched the revised UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at expanding affordable regional air connectivity across India.

The revamped scheme seeks to operationalise more airports, improve access to underserved regions, and strengthen the country’s aviation ecosystem over the coming decade.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, senior government officials, and public representatives.

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