Expressing dismay over continuing protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said he will not do anything that will harm the interests of the people of the

Addressing a gathering of BJP supporters at a rally at Sualkuchi in Kamrup district, Sonowal said the people have been misled against him and the government regarding the new citizenship law.

 

"I am baffled to find a sudden outbreak of public outrage, that too without verifying the ground reality. Their anger is based on fictitious facts and data, particularly regarding the CAA and its provisions.

"We will never do anything against the sentiments of people. We have been giving this assurance always and we are

committed to it," he added.

        

Claiming that people are targeting BJP workers, leaders and government officials unnecessarily, Sonowal said, "We do not understand why there is so much outrage among the people against our government, BJP workers, gaon panchayat members, MPs, ministers and MLAs despite having no fault of their own. People have been misled."

The chief minister mentioned that members of the saffron party have the moral courage to face the common man, if they have committed any mistake.

A second FIR has been registered within a week in Punjab against actor Raveena Tandon, director-choreographer Farah Khan and comedian Bharti Singh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of a community in a TV show, police said on Sunday.

  

The celebrities were booked Saturday evening under IPC section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) after a Kamboj Nagar resident filed a complaint against them, Ferozepur SSP Vivek Sheel Soni said.

The complainant alleged that religious sentiments of the Christian community have been hurt.

On Wednesday, Amritsar police had booked Tandon, Khan and Singh on the same charge.

"We have registered a case against the three and investigations are being held," Amritsar Rural SSP Vikram Jeet Duggal had said.

There have been protests at some places in Punjab against the three by Christian outfits.

They have also been booked in Beed city of Maharashtra in connection with the show aired on Christmas eve.

On Friday, Khan apologised. "I respect all religions, and it would never be my

intention to disrespect any. On behalf of the entire team, Raveena Tandon, Bharti Singh and Myself.. we do sincerely apologise," the filmmaker tweeted.

Tandon too tweeted, "I haven't said a word that can be interpreted as an insult to any religion. The three of us (Farah Khan, Bharti Singh and I) never intended to offend anyone, but in case we did, my most sincere apologies to those who were hurt."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the National Population Register and the National Register of Citizens were against the poor people and minorities of the country, while asserting that he will not fill up the NPR form.

Addressing a press conference at the Samajwadi Party headquarters, he said, "Be it the NPR or the NRC, these are against the poor people, minorities and Muslims of the country."

"The question is whether we want the NRC or employment? If the need arises, I will be the first person not to fill up any form. Will you support me or not? If we do not fill up the form, we will be thrown out. I will not fill it up, you say whether you will fill it up or not?," Yadav asked young SP leaders.

"I would like to tell the policemen, who are wielding lathis on people, that the certificates of their mothers and fathers will also be sought," he said.

ll Indians should come forward to save the country from those violating the Constitution, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

He alleged that this (CAA and NRC) was being done so that the public did not raise any questions about the poor state of the economy and basic problems.

"During demonetisation, the government had said corruption will end, but that proved to be untrue. Due to demonetisation, a number of banks closed down, while the GST (Goods and Services Tax) ruined businesses. The condition is such that the country's economy has come out of the ICU and gone to the ICCU," Yadav said.

"During the days of the SP government (in Uttar Pradesh), youngsters got laptops, while the BJP is taking them towards toilets. Understand the difference," he added.

Reacting to the SP chief's remarks, state Law Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "The SP and other like-minded parties are trying to spread animosity among the people of the state over the amended Citizenship Act."

Yadav also charged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with doing injustice to Muslims in the garb of the action taken against anti-CAA protestors "to save his chair".

"Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath knows that 200 BJP MLAs had staged a 'dharna' (sit-in) against him inside the state Assembly. To save his chair, he is doing injustice to Muslims," he said.

The government has amended rules putting the maximum age limit of 65 years for the Chief of Defence Staff to serve in the post.

 

The changes have been made in the Army Rules, 1954, according to a notification by the defence ministry.

In a landmark decision, the Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday approved the creation of the CDS who will act as the principal military adviser to the defence minister on all matters relating to tri-services.

According to rules, the service chiefs can serve for a maximum period of three years or till attaining the age of 62, whichever is early.

Intensifying its agitation against the amended Citizenship Act, the All Assam Students' Union on Sunday said a "massive protest" will be organised if Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes to inaugurate the 'Khelo India' games on January 10 in the state capital.

Addressing a press conference, AASU leadership said the organisation is keeping a "close watch" on the forthcoming T20 match between India and Sri Lanka on January 5 in Guwahati and the 'Khelo India' games scheduled from January 10 to 22, 2020.

"After the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed, the prime minister is likely to visit Assam for the first time. If he visits for the 'Khelo India', there will be a massive protest," AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath said.

He, however, did not elaborate and said details will be shared in coming days after getting confirmation of Modi's

visit to the state capital.

"Modi and the BJP are planning to destroy Assam and we will not sit idle. The struggle against the CAA will be a long one. We are fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court and we have full faith in it. Democratic protests will go on simultaneously," Nath said.

Demanding immediate repeal of the contentious Citizenship Act, AASU chief adviser Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya said the organisation will observe all the actions of the government to deviate peoples' attention from the movement.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is yet to spell out his stand on the contentious issue of National Register of Citizens, but his second in command in the party, Prashant Kishor, has opened up a new front with ally BJP. Kishor has declared that the Janata Dal-United should get the lion's share of seats in the assembly election in the state - scheduled for next year - instead of the 50 per cent which was the understanding so far between the state's ruling allies.

Asked whether Nitish Kumar meant to remain silent on NRC till the time seat sharing with the BJP was finalised, Kishor said, "As far as my understanding is concerned, it (the seat share) should be one is to 1.4 as it was the practice in 2009 and 2010 assembly elections". The BJP, he said, should revisit the seat share issue.

The election-strategist-turned-politician had rebelled in the matter of the party's sudden support for the citizenship law. Nitish Kumar, who had covered up for him on the occasion, has been silent on his latest digression, which has caused unease in the BJP camp.

BJP working president J P Nadda said on Sunday that opposition parties, which are protesting against the amended citizenship law, are "anti-Dalits" as 70-80 per cent of the people to be benefited from the legislation are from the community.

 

The Dalit leaders who are opposing the law should be exposed, he said, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the "biggest protector" of the community.

Addressing a programme organised by a Dalit group, Nadda accused the Congress of spearheading the campaign to "mislead" minorities over the Citizenship Amendment Act and stressed that the new law is all about giving citizenship to minorities from three neighbouring countries and not about taking away anyone's citizenship.

With most opposition parties opposing the CAA for incorporating religion as a criterion for granting citizenship to people who have fled Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Nadda said the amended law has done "justice" to the people who were exploited and deprived of their rights in these countries.

It has acted as a balm on festering wounds left behind by the Congress, he said.

Naming many castes to which the expected beneficiaries of the amended law belong, he claimed 70 to 80 per cent of them are Dalits.

"Those who are opposing it are anti-Dalits. We should understand," the BJP leader said and asked people to reach out to the members of the community over the issue.

Accusing the Congress and other opposition parties using "vote bank and appeasement" politics, Nadda said they put their votes ahead of the country.

 "Our opponents first opposed the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament and are now they are opposing the other way. The public is being misled. When India's partition had happened, Congress was behind it and religion was the basis of that partition. Few Hindus went there and Muslims came here," Nadda said addressing another event in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Talkatora stadium here.

"Nehru had signed a pact that India will take care of their people living here and they will take care of our people and minorities will be protected.

"India being a secular country kept its word while Pakistan declared itself an Islamic country and East Pakistan became Bangladesh. With CAA we just want that our Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other brothers, who have been tortured or not treated well, are welcomed home and are able to become part of their own country," he added.

Nadda said that "majority of these people are Dalit" and lamented that dalit leaders are opposing the new law.

Amitabh Bachchan was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award - India's highest film honour for his contribution to the Indian cinema -- by President Ram Nath Kovind today. 

The 77-year-old actor skipped this year's National Film Awards ceremony due to health issues. 

In September, this year, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that Bachchan will be awarded with the prestigious award. "The legend Amitabh Bachchan who entertained and inspired for 2 generations has been selected unanimously for Dada Sahab Phalke Award. The entire country and international community is happy. My heartiest Congratulations to him," Prakash Javadekar tweeted.

Amitabh Bachchan has won four National Film Awards for Best Actor through his illustrious career, last winning it for his performance in 2015 film Piku. 

Big B was last seen as a host on the TV quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati 11. The actor has films like Gulabo Sitabo, Chehre and Jhund, in the pipeline.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Hemant Soren on bring sworn in as the chief minister of Jharkhand.

  

PM Modi assured all possible support from the Centre for the state's growth. 

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said there was a need for an enlightened and constructive debate on issues such as Citizenship Amendment Act and National Population Register and stressed that there should be no scope for violence during protests.

    

"Whether it is CAA or NPR, people of the country should have an enlightened, meaningful and constructive discussion in constitutional houses, meetings and media as to when it came, why it came and what is the net impact, if there is any need to modify it, if so what are the suggestions.

    

If we discuss this, then our system will be strengthened and the public will be enlightened," he said.

    

The Vice President said the Centre should also allay apprehensions of those who express dissent.

    

"Agree to disagree is a fundamental principle in democracy. Whether we like it or not, the other side of the issue should be heard and accordingly act (appropriately)..

    

There should not be scope for violence during agitations," he said.

    

Noting that dissent or disagreement has to be expressed in a constructive, democratic and peaceful manner, he recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had eschewed violence in all its forms even in the face of the most daunting challenges.

     

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday expressed confidence that the new coalition government in Jharkhand would work for all and usher in an era of peace and prosperity.

  

Gandhi on Sunday attended the swearing-in ceremony of Hemant Soren, who took oath as the chief minister of the state after the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition won a clear majority in the assembly elections.

"I attended the swearing in ceremony of CM Hemant Soren Ji and ministers from the Congress party in Ranchi today. I'm confident that the new Government in Jharkhand will work for the benefit of all citizens and usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the state," he said on Twitter.

Gandhi also shared a few pictures of the ceremony where he is seen along with opposition leaders Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Sharad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.

Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel were also present on the occasion.

The much-awaited expansion of the Maharashtra council of ministers will take place on December 30. 

According to sources, as many as 36 ministers could take oath on that day. 

Currently the Uddhav Thackeray-led cabinet has six ministers besides chief minister Thackeray. The swearing-in is likely to take place at the Vidhan Bhavan (state legislature complex.

According to the power-sharing formula agreed on by the three parties, the Shiv Sena would have 16 ministers (apart from chief minister), NCP 14 and the Congress 12. When asked if NCP chief Sharad Pawar -- seen as the architect of this unlikely alliance -- was the `remote control' of the state government, Thorat said the three parties have framed a common minimum program, which guides the government.

Former Home Minister P Chidambaram questioned the logic behind his successor, Amit Shah, challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act when he "had not answered even a single question" on the issue in Parliament.

"Amit Shah must go back and listen to the debates in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He did not answer even a single question, and now he is challenging Rahul Gandhi for a debate on it. Everything is wrong about this law," he said.

The Congress leader, who is out on bail in a money laundering case, said the legislation was passed through Parliament and signed into law with undue haste by the BJP-led centre. "The Citizenship Amendment Bill was approved on December 8 by the Union Cabinet. On December 9, they introduced it in the Lok Sabha and passed it at 12 am. On December 11, they introduced it in the Rajya Sabha. The present government passed this bill in three days," he added.

He went on to praise the public for opposing the law, which has been termed "unconstitutional" by many. "Thousands of students and young people came to the streets. The majority of the persons who came on to the streets were Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jain, Parsis, Dalits and tribals," he said, terming the agitation as a "struggle heralded by people who believe they are Indians".

The Citizenship Amendment Act, for the first time, makes religion the test of citizenship in India. The government says it will help minorities from three Muslim-dominated countries to get citizenship if they fled to India before 2015 because of religious persecution. Critics say it is designed to discriminate against Muslims and violates the secular principles of the constitution.

Former Home Minister P Chidambaram questioned the logic behind his successor, Amit Shah, challenging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act when he "had not answered even a single question" on the issue in Parliament.

"Amit Shah must go back and listen to the debates in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He did not answer even a single question, and now he is challenging Rahul Gandhi for a debate on it. Everything is wrong about this law," he said.

The Congress leader, who is out on bail in a money laundering case, said the legislation was passed through Parliament and signed into law with undue haste by the BJP-led centre. "The Citizenship Amendment Bill was approved on December 8 by the Union Cabinet. On December 9, they introduced it in the Lok Sabha and passed it at 12 am. On December 11, they introduced it in the Rajya Sabha. The present government passed this bill in three days," he added.

He went on to praise the public for opposing the law, which has been termed "unconstitutional" by many. "Thousands of students and young people came to the streets. The majority of the persons who came on to the streets were Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jain, Parsis, Dalits and tribals," he said, terming the agitation as a "struggle heralded by people who believe they are Indians".

The Citizenship Amendment Act, for the first time, makes religion the test of citizenship in India. The government says it will help minorities from three Muslim-dominated countries to get citizenship if they fled to India before 2015 because of religious persecution. Critics say it is designed to discriminate against Muslims and violates the secular principles of the constitution.

Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha today questioned the alleged police action on Congress's Priyanka Gandhi, and in a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggested that this was no way to do "damage control". 

The Congress leader had alleged yesterday that she had been manhandled and "grabbed by the throat" by policewomen as they tried to stop her from visiting the home of a retired police officer who was arrested after taking part in the protests against the citizenship law.

If the daughter of the Nehru-Gandhi family could be treated this way, "dread to think what commoners would face," Mr Sinha said in a series of tweets.

"First, you removed/downsized the security of VIPs, slowly but surely increased your security, then removed the #SPG cover of the Gandhi family & now, the #UPPolice under your Govt.'s instructions dealt with her in most shameful manner. This is highly condemnable," he posted on the microblogging site.

His tweets, he wrote, were for the "perusal, action & reaction" of the Prime Minister. Then added, "Aise, damage control nehin hota sir (This is no way to conduct damage control)".

The police had initially stopped Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's vehicle as she was on way to meet the family of 76-year-old SR Darapuri. She then took a ride on a scooter and when thwarted again, walked the rest of the way.

Videos from the spot showed Priyanka Gandhi being stopped by policewomen as she went on foot, surrounded by supporters and securitymen. After a brief scuffle, she managed to walk on.

"They grabbed me by the neck and manhandled me. They then surrounded me while I was going on a party worker's two-wheeler, after which I walked to reach there," news agency ANI quoted Priyanka Gandhi as saying.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha working president Hemant Soren has been sworn in as Jharkhand chief minister. 

Governor Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office and secrecy to him in Ranchi. 

Rashtriya Janata Dal's Tejashwi Yadav, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee were present at the event. 

"Gul Makai", a biopic on Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, is slated to be released on January 31, 2020.

  

The film has been directed by HE Amjad Khan and produced by Sanjay Singla. It is presented by Jayantilal Gada and Tekno Films. 

Actor Reem Shaikh will star as Malala. The movie also features Divya Dutta, Pankaj Tripathi, Atul Kulkarni and Mukesh Rishi in pivotal roles.

According to a press release issued by the makers, "Gul Makai" charts "the courageous journey of Ziauddin Yousafzai family, when Swat Valley in Pakistan was seized by Taliban gunmen in 2009 and Sharia law was imposed upon its people." 

Malala, daughter of Ziauddin Yousafzai, spoke against the world most dangerous terrorist organisation through her blogs on the BBC Urdu website under the pseudonym Gul Makai, against the oppression faced by them in Swat Valley, Pakistan, it added. 

Malala spoke for the right of girls, especially the right to receive a complete education, her courage and bravery gained worldwide recognition and support.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday suspended party MLA Rama Bai for supporting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Mayawati has been strongly criticising the new law, which seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who came to India before December 31, 2014, to escape religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Rama Bai, who represents Patheriya Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district, on Saturday evening supported the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at a function held in her constituency where Union minister Prahlad Patel was present.

Taking strong note of it, Mayawati, in a tweet on Sunday said, "The BSP is a disciplined party and it takes prompt action against its MP and MLAs who break discipline."

"Taking this into account, the party suspends Madhya Pradesh's Patheriya MLA Rama Bai Parihar for supporting CAA. She has been banned from taking part in the party functions," the BSP supremo tweeted in Hindi.

The MLA could not be contacted for her comments.

After Rama Bai supported the new law during a function in Patheriya on Saturday evening, Union minister Prahlad Patel, who was present at the event, lauded her.

The BSP earlier dubbed the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act as "unconstitutional" and voted against it in

Parliament.

It also urged the President to withdraw the new law.

Two days after a video of Meerut (City) SP Akhilesh N Singh asking some protesters against the new citizenship law to go to Pakistan went viral, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the remark was not wrong as it was not meant for all Muslims.

Maurya said, "He did not say it for all Muslims but probably to those who were raising pro-Pakistan slogans while pelting stones. For anyone involved in such activities, SP citys statement is not wrong.

SP Singh was caught on camera telling three people, Yeh jo kaali aur peeli patti baandhe huye hain, inse keh do Pakistan chale jao.khaoge yahan ka, gaoge kahin aur ka (those with black and yellow bands, tell them to go to Pakistan. You eat here but sing praises of another place).

Singh had on Friday said his comments were in reaction to some anti-social elements making pro-Pakistan statements. Several local residents, who claimed to have seen the SPs outburst, however, said no pro-Pakistan slogan was raised.

The ruling BJP government has come under fire after the video went viral. While admitting that the SPs choice of words could have been better, Additional DGP, Meerut Zone, Prashant Kumar backed the officer.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra on Sunday condemned the treatment meted out to her by the Uttar Pradesh Police in Lucknow. He also praised Priyanka Gandhi for her conduct when she was allegedly manhandled by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday. His tweet today came as a morale booster for Priyanka Gandhi.

"I am proud of you Priyanka" -- Robert Vadra tweeted on Sunday.

Slamming the conduct of the UP Police, Robert Vadra said, "I am extremely disturbed at the way Priyanka was manhandled by the woman cops. While one held her by the throat, the other woman cop pushed her and she fell down. But she was determined and she travelled on a two-wheeler to meet family members of Former IPS officer SR Darapuri," he tweeted.

"I am proud of you Priyanka for being compassionate and for reaching out to people who need you. What you did was correct and there is no crime to be with people in need or in grief," Robert Vadra added.

Robert Vadra's tweet comes a day after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi alleged that she was manhandled by Uttar Pradesh Police personnel who also grabbed her by her throat and pushed her when she resisted their attempts to stop her from visiting the house of retired IPS officer SR Darapuri.

Priyanka Gandhi further alleged that the Yogi Adityanath government supported the actions of the Uttar Pradesh Police against her when she was stopped from meeting ex-IPS officer.

When asked categorically if she was deliberately manhandled as she claimed, Priyanka Gandhi said: "Agar police apni gaadi ko hamari gaadi ke saamne roke, mujhe paidal nahi chalne de, mujhe ghere, mera gala pakde, mujhe giraaye, toh sarkaar ki sehmati toh hogi na prashashan ki sahmati toh hogi na. [If the cops stop our vehicle by putting their vehicle in front of it, don't let me walk, surround me, hold my throat, push me, then won't it have support from the government and administration]."

However, the UP Police has denied Priyanka Gandhi's allegation.

Sri Lankan Navy has arrested at least 14 Indian fishermen and seized their 3 trawlers for allegedly poaching in the country's territorial waters.

  

The arrests were made on Saturday in the seas north of the Delft island, the Navy said in a statement on Sunday.

Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 14 Indian fishermen along with 3 fishing trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters on December 28, the statement said.

The fishermen are expected to be handed over to the assistant director of fisheries in Jaffna after a medical examination for further action.

The Navy said that due to extensive patrols, the number of Indian fishing trawlers entering Sri Lankan waters have been significantly reduced.

In January 2018, Sri Lanka increased by over 100 times the fine on foreign vessels to deter them from fishing in its waters, amid the dispute over the frequent entry of Indian fishing trawlers into the country's maritime territory.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad was in 2013 convicted by a special Central Bureau of Investigation court in a case related to the embezzlement of funds meant for the purchase and distribution of cattle fodder. As separate cases were registered for withdrawal of money from various places in Bihar, he was convicted by a CBI court to around 14 years in prison.

But heres the twist. He is currently in prison in Ranchi. In the last five years, because of the rule of Bharatiya Janata Partys Raghubar Das, Lalu got little consideration from the state authorities whose guest he was. But earlier, when Hemant Soren was CM, Lalu was shifted out of the jail into a government guest house where every possible facility was made available to him. Now Soren is back as CM. it is hardly surprising that Lalu should have congratulated him warmly and made dire predictions about the BJPs future. 

Lalus party, Rashtriya Janata Dal was in alliance with Sorens Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in the election. The chances are the prisons portfolio will go to a member of the RJD. Even if it doesnt, the RJD will find it has a sanctuary in Jharkhand. This in turn, will have implications for the partys strategy and politics in the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar: because now, Lalu Prasads political expertise will be available to the RJD without fetters.

It all depends on how soon this happens and whether somebody petitions the court to see Lalu does not get preferential treatment. Either way, RJD is now in for an overhaul. 

In his last Mann ki Baat of 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country had expectations from the youth, which believes in the system and has an opinion on a wide range of issues. Youth of today is known by many names such as millennials, social media generation or even Generation Z. In the coming decade, young India will play a key role. Today's youth believes in the system and also has an opinion on a wide range of issues. I consider this to be a great thing. What today's youth dislikes is instability, chaos, nepotism, he said.

Citing instance of the Bhairavganj Health Centre in Bihars West Champaran district, PM Modi shared how a health camp set up by alumni of a school saw thousands of people from neighbouring villages come for the check-up.

This was not a government programme, nor was it a government initiative. This was a step taken as part of an Alumni Meet organised by former students of the local KR High School. They named it 'Sankalp 95', he said, asking youth to use such alumni associations for a godd cause.

In his previous address to the nation on November 24, PM Modi had announced the launch of Fit India grading system in schools across the country. The Prime Minister had also encouraged the use of mother tongue adding that all progress was meaningless if ones mother tongue is neglected.

Delhi continued to reel under a severe cold wave on Sunday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 3.4 degrees Celsius, a notch above Saturday's minimum temperature.

Delhi had recorded season's coldest day on Saturday with minimum temperature dropping to 2.4 degrees Celsius.

Dense fog enveloped the city reducing visibility to less than 500 metres.

"The minimum temperature was recorded at 8.30 am at Safdarjang Observatory at 3.4 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal," a MeT official said.

While the Palam Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius, the mercury dropped to 2.8 degrees in the Lodhi Road area.

The humidity level was recorded at 94 per cent.

The weatherman has predicted clear sky in afternoon even as the cold wave is expected to continue.

"The day will be severely cold due to cold wave at most places in the city," the official added.

With chilling cold continuing to sweep Delhi-NCR, the region is expected to record its second-coldest December since 1901, the weather department had said on Thursday.  -- PTI

Union Minister for Minorities Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday demanded 'immediate action' against an Uttar Pradesh cop who purportedly asked Muslims to 'go to Pakistan' during a protest.

"It is condemnable if it is true. Immediate action should be taken against the police officer," Naqvi told media in Mumbai in response to a question on the incident.

In a viral video, a police officer was seen abusing and asking Muslims to go to Pakistan during an anti-Citizenship Act protest in Meerut.

Meerut ADG Prashant Kumar, however, defended the cop saying that he was trying to control the violent situation as the protesters were raising slogans hailing the neighbouring country.

"It is clear from the video that stones were being pelted, anti-India slogans and slogans hailing the neighbouring country were raised by the protestors at the spot. The officer only asked them to stop pelting stones and they can go there (Pakistan) if they wanted to," Kumar told ANI.

On another question, Naqvi termed the alleged police excesses on people during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in UP as 'unacceptable'.

"Violence, whether it is being perpetrated by a mob or by the police, cannot be part of a democratic system and is unacceptable. Police and administration should also keep in mind that innocents should be not subjected to violence and brutality," he said.

The minister further said, "UP government will take action if police or administration has committed any kind of atrocities on the people."

Several leaders including Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, journalists and other noted citizens have condemned the Meerut cop's behaviour and police excesses against the protestors.

Opposition leaders including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi have alleged that police ransacked people's houses, destroyed private properties and used unjustified force against people of the minority community in UP. -- ANI

Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat says that Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami has passed away at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt.

Earlier, the seer was shifted to the Mutt from KMC Hospital.

Considering the critical illness of the revered seer, all arrangements of ventilator and ICU units were kept ready in the Mutt.

Saints and seers at the mutt were conducting special prayers for the speedy recovery of Vishwesha Teertha Swami.

Junior Seer of Udupi Pejawar Adhokshaja mutts along with others was seen chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam inside the mutt premises.

Former Union Minister Uma Bharti also arrived at the mutt today.  -- ANI

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in Pune on Saturday that only those who will say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' will stay in India.

He was addressing the 54th state conference of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

"Whether the sacrifice given by Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose will go waste? People have fought for freedom not because we have to count after 70 years who all are citizens. Whether we will make this country a Dharamshala?" asked Pradhan.

"Whosoever comes will stay here? We have to accept the challenges on this issue. We have to make this thought clear. In Bharat, it's mandatory to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', only such type of people will stay," he said.  -- ANI

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren will take oath as 11th Chief Minister of Jharkhand in Ranchi today at Morabadi Ground at 2 pm.

He has termed the event as 'Sankalp Diwas' of an era of new Jharkhand, says an official press release.

Governor Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren while galaxy of leaders from across the political spectrum will grace the occasion.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former President Pranab Mukherjee, former finance minister P Chidambaram, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other national and regional leaders from across the political spectrum have confirmed their presence for the oath-taking ceremony.

Chief Ministers of as many as six states have also confirmed their presence.

They are West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The other leaders who are likely to be present on the occasion include H D Kumaraswamy, KC Venugopal, N Chandrababu Naidu, Harish Rawat, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi, T R Balu, Sharad Yadav, and Ahmed Patel.

JMM fought the assembly elections in alliance with the Congress party and Lalu Prasad's RJD and got a comfortable majority with forty-seven seats in the 81-member house.

JMM won 30 seats, while Congress and RJD secured 16 and one seat respectively in the recently concluded assembly polls. -- ANI