1. Padmaavat Row: Oppn Condemns BJP Over Gurugram School Bus Attack
Eighteen people were arrested for attacking a school bus carrying children on the Sohna Road Highway in Gurugram, Haryana, while protesting against the movie ‘Padmaavat’.
The mob pelted stones at a GD Goenka World School bus, as children, teachers and other staff cowered between seats in fear. Fortunately, no one was said to have been injured in the incident.
The incident occurred in the afternoon when the school bus was ferrying the children back to their homes.
Apart from the school bus being vandalised, a Haryana Roadways bus was also torched in the Bhondsi area of Gurugram. The mob also pelted stones on the Haryana police personnel deployed on the Gurugram-Alwar National Highway, reported IANS.
Gurugram commissioner of police Sandeep Khairwar expressed regret over the attack on the school bus and directed forces to be deployed near schools to provide adequate security.
(Read the full story here)
2. Karnataka Bandh: Normal Life Thrown Out of Gear in Bengaluru
Demanding a speedy resolution to the Mahadayi water dispute, pro-Kannada organisations called for a statewide bandh on Thursday, 25 January. They are demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervene in the matter to settle the contention between Karnataka and Goa.
With rail roko and raasta roko protests across the state, a few flight services were also affected. Calling the bandh on the same day as the BJP chief Amit Shah visited Mysuru for the Parivartan Yatra, protestors are demanding that PM Modi intervene in the dispute.
(Read the full story here)
3. ‘Padmaavat’ Protests Flare Amid Political Criticism
The incident has drawn strong political criticism from across the nation with Delhi CM Arving Kejriwal calling it a shameful act and Rahul Gandhi blaming the BJP of 'burning the country'
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi held a press conference to address the issue and blamed the BJP for complying with the protestors.
One man has also been arrested for trying to immolate himself in Varanasi. A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against three members of Karni Sena for violating the court's order, which will be heard on Monday.
(Get live updates about the protests here)
4.India v/s South Africa Final Test
Team India succumbed to a 135-run defeat in the India vs South Africa second test match played at Centurion, the teams met again for the third and final test match starting 24 January.
Catch the Live updates on the India vs South Africa third test match.
5. Interactive: Happy or Angry? This R-Day, Write a Letter to India
We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance, and how would you say it? We’ve made it easy for you.
Check out our interactive letterbox which promises to bring the nostalgia of letters to the digital space. A perfect mix of traditional appeal with a modern outlook, just like our country – India.
Just click on ‘Write a Letter’ to send in your thoughts along with your details. We’ll make sure India gets your message.
(Know more about ‘Letter to India’ here)
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