‘B‘ in BJP stands for ‘betrayal‘, ‘J‘ for ‘jumla‘: Cong launches multi-pronged attack on PM Modi, Union minister Kiren Rijiju interacts with Chinese soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh, Hindus in Muslim-majority Bangladesh rally to demand protection from attacks, Kohli fails as India slump in chaotic 10 minutes in third Test, Angelina Jolie to be honoured with Performer Tribute at Gotham Awards
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The Congress on Friday launched a multi-pronged attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his jibe at the former for its poll guarantees, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying before pointing fingers, the prime minister should note that the "Modi Ki Guarantee" is a "cruel joke" on 140 crore Indians. Stating that the 'B' in BJP stands for 'betrayal' while 'J' stands for 'jumla', Kharge said in a post on X, "Narendra Modi ji, Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot and Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your government! Your drum beating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt!" Besides Kharge, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also lashed out at Modi, citing Congress' track record in fulfilling its promises.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said he interacted with soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army along the Sino-Indian border near here during a visit to an Indian Army post on Diwali. Rijiju also said he celebrated Diwali with the Army jawans at Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. In the short video, posted on X, the union minister of parliamentary and minority affairs was seen talking to three PLA soldiers through an interpreter asking them how they were managing while being posted in such a high-altitude area which is located 15,000 feet above sea level. The PLA soldiers replied that they had no problems while serving in such areas and they were comfortable. Rijiju also praised the kind of infrastructure built and other development works being carried out by the government along the international border. The union minister, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also interacted and spent time with Indian Army jawans and celebrated the Diwali with them.
Tens of thousands of minority Hindus rallied Friday to demand that the interim government in Muslim-majority Bangladesh protect them from a wave of attacks and harassment and drop sedition cases against Hindu community leaders. About 30,000 Hindus demonstrated at a major intersection in the southeastern city of Chattogram, chanting slogans demanding their rights while police and soldiers guarded the area. Other protests were reported elsewhere in the country. Hindu groups say there have been thousands of attacks against Hindus since early August, when the secular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown and Hasina fled the country following a student-led uprising. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel peace laureate named to lead an interim government after Hasina's downfall, says those figures have been exaggerated.
With Virat Kohli run out for four, India were in deep trouble at 86-4 in their reply after spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar helped bowl out New Zealand for 235 on day one of the third Test on Friday. Around 15 minutes before stumps, India were cruising at 78 for 1 but a rapid fall of wickets turned their fortunes around as New Zealand scented the chance of a clean sweep -- they sealed their first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil last week with victory in the second match in Pune. The hosts trailed New Zealand by 149 runs at the close of a fast-paced day one at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where the pitch offered early turn to the spinners. Shubman Gill, on 31, and Rishabh Pant, on one, were batting at the close after New Zealand's Mumbai-born spinner Ajaz Patel struck twice in two balls in a chaotic end to the day. Ajaz bowled Yashasvi Jaiswal for 30 while attempting a reverse sweep, and then India's ploy of sending a nightwatchman failed as Mohammed Siraj fell, trapped lbw on the next ball. Siraj also burned a review. New Zealand's biggest celebration, however, came in the next over when a direct throw from Matt Henry at mid-on ran out Kohli for four, the Indian talisman setting off for a reckless single. Jadeja told reporters that "everything happened in 10 minutes", and the team "did not get time to react".
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie will be felicitated with the Performer Tribute at the 34th edition of Gotham Awards in New York City. The Oscar-winning actor will be honoured for her role in filmmaker Pablo Larain's "Maria", about the popular American-born Greek opera singer Maria Callas, the Gotham Film & Media Institute, which organises the award gala annually, said in a statement. The awards will be held on December 2 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. “Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’s complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of The Gothams.