Saturday, April 19
Organizers of the Bidhannagar Mela Utsav in Kolkata have requested Bangladeshi traders to withdraw from the fair due to the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh. Refunds are being issued for pre-booked stalls to prevent potential trouble and ensure the safety of the traders. The fair, featuring around 500 stalls, will proceed as planned from Tuesday to January 6th.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi carried a bag with "Palestine" written on it in Parliament. The bag also featured a watermelon, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. This followed Gandhi's meeting with a Palestinian diplomat. The BJP criticized the gesture as appeasement. They said it was an attempt to grab headlines after election losses.
A Prime Minister's Museum member has appealed to Rahul Gandhi to retrieve letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru, including correspondence with Lady Mountbatten and Jayaprakash Narayan, allegedly removed on Sonia Gandhi's orders in 2008. The museum member, Rizwan Kadri, previously contacted Sonia Gandhi without response.
India commemorated Vijay Diwas on December 16. The nation paid tribute to the soldiers of the 1971 war. The war resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh. Leaders and citizens honored the courage and sacrifice of the armed forces. Wreath-laying ceremonies and tributes took place across the country. The 1971 victory remains a significant event in India's history.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of providing illegal Rohingya refugees with housing, utilities, and financial aid. Puri refuted AAP's claims that the central government was settling Rohingyas, citing a 2022 clarification. Delhi BJP echoed Puri's statement, accusing AAP of misleading the public and diverting attention from core issues.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated the 'Nehru development model' failed the nation. He said the model impacted India's policies and systems. Jaishankar said the government is working to address its consequences. He highlighted the shift from openness to resilience in the global landscape. The minister emphasized self-reliance as crucial for national security.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath lauded the BJP's respect for labor. He compared PM Modi's honoring of Ram Mandir workers with the alleged historical severing of Taj Mahal workers' hands. He criticized opposition impeachment notices against the Rajya Sabha chairman and a judge advocating for a Uniform Civil Code. Yogi highlighted India's historical economic influence and the Sanatan religion's non-aggressive nature.
