Ghaziabad : A massive fire broke out at a shop near Dasna Gate in Ghaziabad late Monday night, triggering panic in the area. The fire, which erupted near Chaupala Temple, quickly spread to the goods stored inside the shop. The prompt response of the fire brigade prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby commercial establishments and averted a potential major tragedy. The shop reportedly contained a large quantity of plates, bowls and other items. Several gas cylinders were also stored inside the premises, raising concerns about a possible explosion. The presence of several other commercial establishments, including sweet shops, in the vicinity further heightened the risk of the fire spreading. According to information received, at around 12:08 a.m. on Tuesday, the Fire Station Kotwali under the Ghaziabad Commissionerate received information about a fire at a shop near Chaupala Temple in the Dasna Gate area.

Acting swiftly, the fire officer immediately rushed to the spot with two fire tenders. Upon reaching the location, firefighters found that the shop was locked and flames had engulfed a substantial portion of the goods stored inside. Assessing the seriousness of the situation, the firefighting personnel broke open the shop’s lock to gain access. Their priority was to remove the gas cylinders stored inside to prevent a possible explosion and avert a major accident. After safely taking out the cylinders, the firefighters launched an intensive operation, spraying water through hose pipes to extinguish the flames. The team carried out coordinated firefighting operations to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining shops. Given the presence of several commercial establishments, including a sweet shop, in the immediate vicinity, the firefighters took extra precautions while carrying out the operation.

Their timely intervention ensured that the flames did not reach the neighbouring properties. Within a short time, the fire brigade personnel brought the blaze completely under control, preventing further damage and saving the surrounding shops from being affected. Local police personnel and a large number of residents were also present at the scene during the operation. The prompt action by the fire department not only helped protect the property of neighbouring shopkeepers but also prevented a potentially serious incident by ensuring the safe removal of the gas cylinders before they could explode. Following the successful firefighting operation, the situation in the area returned to normal.

No further spread of the fire to nearby establishments was reported.

New Delhi : Reacting to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s statement about breaking down to tears during the Babri Masjid demolition, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday accused her of selective concern, alleging that the Congress party has consistently pursued the politics of Muslim appeasement. Speaking to Media, Giriraj Singh said, “She rightly said that she shed tears when the Babri Masjid was demolished and when the Batla House encounter took place. But when there was violence during the Ram temple movement and kar sevaks were killed, she did not shed tears for them. Perhaps that is because the issue concerns Hindus. How committed has Sonia Gandhi ever been to India?” He further questioned Sonia Gandhi’s citizenship and alleged that she had stayed in India illegally for more than 12 years before acquiring citizenship.

“She was married and came to India; she was not minor. She was living in the country illegally for more than 12 years. What affection would she have for the country? I want to ask Sonia ji, you talk about vote theft. You were staying here by committing vote theft without taking citizenship, and you also cast votes,” he told Media. The remarks come as Sonia Gandhi has revisited the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the Emergency imposed by her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 in her forthcoming memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, scheduled for publication on November 10. In an interview, Sonia Gandhi recalled breaking down in tears while watching the Babri Masjid being demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992. Giriraj Singh also criticised Samajwadi Party leader Sanatan Pandey over his remarks defending the firing on kar sevaks during the Ram temple movement under the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

“This is the same politics of Muslim appeasement that the Congress pursued through its vote-bank politics. Mulayam Singh Yadav played the same game, as did Lalu Yadav in Bihar. Akhilesh Yadav is playing the same game today,” he said. Separately, commenting on the controversy surrounding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s Diwali greetings, Giriraj Singh accused him of echoing the views of Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. “Kharge is merely a mouthpiece of Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family. He only says what is on Rahul Gandhi’s mind. Even on Diwali, Kharge did not extend greetings to Hindus and followers of Sanatan Dharma. Instead, he remembered Eid and its delicacies. When the Congress was in power, it had said that Muslims had the first right to the country’s resources. His remarks have exposed the Congress’s politics of appeasement, particularly Muslim appeasement,” he said.

New Delhi : The BJP and Shiv Sena on Monday criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his description of Diwali as ‘Khushiyon ka Eid’ (Eid of Happiness) and accused the Congress of displaying anti-Hindu mindset and indulging in vote-bank politics. The leaders said that the Congress should be ashamed of making such remarks on an auspicious occasion like Diwali, alleging that instead of respecting Hindu sentiments, the party was attempting to appease a particular community for political gains. The controversy erupted following Kharge’s remarks to reporters over the weekend while extending Diwali greetings.

“I extend my best wishes to everyone for Diwali. Many people celebrate it as it is Khushiyon ka Eid,” the Congress president said. Kharge also appealed to people to maintain peace and national unity, urging those involved in disputes or harbouring misunderstandings to set aside their differences. “I urge those who may be in conflict or harbouring misunderstandings with one another to set these differences aside,” he said.

Speaking to Media, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said Kharge’s remarks exposed the Congress party’s anti-Hindu mindset. “Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement exposes the Congress party’s anti-Hindu mindset. The Congress should be ashamed that even on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, instead of respecting Hindu sentiments, it is engaging in vote-bank politics. Remember that just a few days ago, Sonia Gandhi said she was deeply pained and shed tears when the Babri Masjid was demolished. She also cried over the Batla House encounter involving terrorists. Now, the party’s president is describing Diwali as the ‘Eid of Happiness’. This makes it clear that the Congress party is engaged in appeasement and vote-bank politics 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” he said. BJP MLA Ram Kadam also questioned the Congress over the remark, alleging that the party was using religious references to appease voters.

“They pretend to wear the sacred thread. And when it is time for our Diwali celebrations, instead of extending Diwali greetings, they turn even this festival into an issue of religious appeasement. This is our question,” he said. Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande also criticised Kharge, accusing the Congress of making contradictory political statements in an attempt to appease different communities. “I feel sorry for their lack of understanding. They are so afraid and so desperate to appease Muslims that tomorrow they might even call Diwali Eid. They are so scared because they have lost their political ground. Neither Hindus nor Muslims are going to vote for them. In an attempt to please one community or the other, they try to appear secular at times and claim to stand for Hindutva at other times. They have become confused,” she said.