Category Archives: Uncategorized

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY

Three separate trademark applications have been filed seeking rights over the name “Cockroach Janata Party”, offi- cial records showed, as the satirical political outfit contin- ues to gain rapid online trac- tion.

The filings, made by less- er-known individuals including Azim Adambhai Jam and Akahnd Swaroop, as well as a proprietorship named “Cockroach Janata Party”, seek registration under the category of political and social services.

The development comes amid growing attention on the satiri- cal entity, which has gained millions of online followers in a matter of days for its digital commentary. Its X (formerly Twitter) account was recently withheld in India.

The outfit, also known as CJP, describes itself as the “Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed” and reportedly crossed 10 million followers on Instagram, even surpassing BJP’s online follow- ing.

CJP’s X handle withheld, founder starts new account >>>More on Page 3

BENGALURU, 21 MAY

An Air India aircraft with 181 passengers onboard experienced a tail strike during landing at Bengaluru airport on Thursday morning, leading to the aircraft being grounded for detailed inspection. The narrow-body A321 aircraft was operating flight AI2651 from Delhi to Bengaluru. An airline spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating the plane “experienced a tail-strike during landing”. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew disembarked normally.

A source explained that the plane encountered “wake turbulence” near landing, prompting the pilot to perform a go-around manoeuvre, during which the tail strike occurred. The turbulence was reportedly caused by a wide-body aircraft taking off nearby, though details about this aircraft remain unconfirmed. The flight, operated with an A321, had 181 passengers onboard.

The airline stated that the aircraft has been grounded for a thorough inspection, and the incident will be investigated following established procedures with relevant authorities. The return flight, AI2652 from Bengaluru to Delhi, has been cancelled, and alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers. Ground teams in Bengaluru are providing assistance, and the airline has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.

According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, “wake turbulence” results from lift-generated vortices trailing behind an aircraft, which can impact other aircraft depending on the vortices’ strength, duration, and direction.

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

Tension escalated in Jaipur on Thursday as Congress workers protesting the alleged NEET paper leak clashed with police during a march towards the BJP headquarters. Police used water cannons and erected barricades near the Martyrs’ Memorial and Police Commissionerate to prevent protesters from advancing, resulting in scuffles between demonstrators and security personnel.

The protest was led by Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, who marched alongside party leaders and workers demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Amid the protest, Congress workers carried Dotasra on their shoulders while police sprayed water cannons on the crowd.

Former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas staged a sit-in outside the Police Commissionerate, while former MLA Ved Prakash Solanki was pushed back by police during the confrontation. MLA Manish

Yadav also attempted to cross barricades but was stopped by police.

The march began from the Congress state headquarters and included women, youth, and supporters, with some participants dressed as NEET aspirants to symbolically represent students affected by the alleged paper leak. Addressing protesters, Dotasra accused the National Testing Agency of losing public trust and demanded strict action against those responsible for jeopardising the future of nearly 22 lakh students.He called for a court-monitored investigation and renewed demands for the Education Minister’s resignation.

NEW DELHI, 21 MAY One of the masterminds of the 14 February, 2019 attack on Indian security personnel in Pulwama, which left over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel dead, was killed by unknown gunmen in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Hamza Burhan had been designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry in 2022.

Burhan was allegedly involved in radicalising and indoctrinating youth in South Kashmir. Security agencies said he provided explosives and grenades to those who carried out the Pulwama attack.

He was also found to be involved in the grenade attack on CRPF personnel on 18 November, 2020.

Burhan’s killing comes after a series of attacks targeting members of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, attributed by local reports to “unidentified gunmen.”

The Pulwama incident was carried out by a member of the JeM who rammed an explosives-laden car into a CRPF convoy. The attack led the Indian Air Force to launch a strike in Balakot, Pakistan, a few days later, raising tensions between the two countries.

MELODY POLITICS

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

Amid protests against Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore distributed chocolates among party workers and mocked Gandhi over his alleged “Melody toffee” remarks. Rathore termed Gandhi’s comments “childish” and said they reflected political frustration. Speaking during a BJP protest at the party headquarters in Jaipur, Rathore claimed Rahul Gandhi was unable to understand Modi’s diplomacy and foreign policy achievements. He further alleged that Gandhi’s statements were harming the Congress party and pushing it towards decline.

BJP workers held a procession from the state office to Chaumun House Circle, raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi, and burned his effigy over alleged derogatory remarks against top BJP leaders. Rathore said Congress was increasingly losing public support and accused the opposition of relying on “cheap and frivolous rhetoric” instead of constructive politics. Rathore denied BJP links to NEET leak, calling Congress allegations baseless and politically motivated.

KOLKATA, 21 MAY

The West Bengal government has issued an official order mandating the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ at assembly prayers in all madrasas with immediate effect.

The order by the Directorate of Madrasah Education came nearly a week after the state’s BJP government made singing the national song mandatory in all state-run and aided schools. Heads of institutions have been instructed to ensure strict compliance from all students.

The latest order stated the directive would apply to the government’s model madrasas, government-aided madrasas, approved Shishu Shiksha Kendra and Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras, as well as recognised unaided madrasas functioning under the Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department.

A senior official of the department said the decision was made “with the approval of the competent authority” and was aimed at bringing “uniformity in assembly practices” across institutions under the department.

The move comes shortly after the Union proposed amendment to the Prevention of Insults National Honour Act, 1971, making obstruction to the singing of Vande Mataram punishable offence.

>>>More on Page 3

JAIPUR, 21 MAY

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for severe heatwave conditions across Rajasthan over the next four days, with a yellow alert in place for many districts.

Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest temperature in the state at 46.5°C, followed by Pilani at 45.3°C. Phalodi, Bikaner, Churu, Kota, and Alwar also witnessed extreme temperatures above 44°C.

Authorities in Jaipur and Kota have started sprinkling water on roads and at cattle shelters to reduce heat impact.

Intense heat and hot winds have affected normal life, leaving roads deserted during peak afternoon hours in several parts of Rajasthan.

LONDON, 21 MAY

UK net migration dropped sharply in 2025, with Indian nationals leading the exodus.

The Office for National Statistics reported around 51,000 Indians left for study, 21,000 for work, and 3,000 for other reasons, followed by 46,000 Chinese. Ukrainians, Pakistanis, and Nigerians also featured among the top emigrants.

The overall net migration fell to 1,71,000 from 9,44,000 under the previous government. The highest visa extensions for health and care workers went to Indians (107,306), with Indians also leading in Skilled Worker and Graduate Route visas. The decline is driven by fewer arrivals from outside the EU, and a 20 per cent decrease in total long-term immigration for 2024.

TEHRAN, 21 MAY

Iran has announced the oper-ational launch of a new regu-lulatory body, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), which has defined manage-ment boundaries for the Strait of Hormuz and made transit coordination and per-mits mandatory for vessels, state media and official posts on X said. According to the PGSA, the supervision zone extends from a line linking Kuh Mobarak in Iran to the south of Fujairah in the UAE in the eastern Strait, and from the end of Qeshm Island in Iran to Umm al-Qai-wain in the UAE in the west. The authority said all vessel movements within this zone “require coordination” with the waterway management body.

>>>MORE ON PAGE 4

Crackdown on Political Activities and Emphasis on Water, Tourism

JAIIPUR, 21 MAY

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday directed officials to take strict action against illegal religious conversions and government employees participating in political activities. Addressing a district-level review meeting in Banswara, he stressed the importance of accountability, sensitivity, and dedication in governance to ensure welfare schemes reach eligible beneficiaries without delay.

During the meeting, Sharma announced the development of sandalwood forests under the Hariyalo Rajasthan campaign. He said that 11,000 sandalwood saplings would be planted in each designated forest area and instructed the Forest Department to accelerate plantation drives and strengthen forest conservation efforts.

On the second day of his three-day visit to Banswara and Dungarpur districts, the Chief

Emphasising water conservation before the monsoon season, Sharma directed officials to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of canals, ponds, reservoirs, and other water bodies. He highlighted the importance of efficiently using every drop of water from the Mahi river and reviewed projects under the Chief Minister Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan.

The Chief Minister also focused on improving school enrolment, healthcare services, irrigation projects, solar-powered schemes, road repairs, drinking water supply, and heatwave management. He stated that Banswara possesses strong tourism and development potential due to its climate and natural beauty. Sharma further highlighted government initiatives aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods and increasing agricultural prosperity across Rajasthan.

Minister reviewed the progress of government schemes, infrastructure projects, budget announcements, and public welfare programmes. Expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of Banswara Municipal Council Commissioner Durgesh Singh Rawal, Sharma ordered action against him, following which the commissioner was placed under Awaited Posting Order (APO).