Celebrated Indian tennis star Leander Paes has joined the country's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 53-year-old Paes, an eight-time Grand Slam doubles champion dubbed the 'Indian Express' by media, made the move ahead of high-stakes polls in West Bengal state. His entry is widely seen as a significant political blow, coming just days before crucial elections.
Paes's decision is considered a setback for West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. He had joined the TMC in 2021 but did not contest elections. At a ceremony at BJP headquarters, Paes thanked Modi and the BJP "family," stating, "Now this new game I have entered is for my country and its youth." Union Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed the "champion who has brought pride to the nation."
The Indian government is launching a mammoth door-to-door census of the world's largest population, involving over 3 million officials. The census, delayed from 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will begin on April 1. For the first 15 days, citizens can self-enumerate online—a first for India. The exercise will also collect data on caste, a rigid social hierarchy deeply entrenched in Indian society, which remains a contentious issue for policy-making.
At least eight women were killed in a stampede at the Sheetala Mata temple in eastern Bihar state. The incident occurred on the last Tuesday of the Hindu month of Chaitra, as the temple was overcrowded with devotees. Stampedes at religious events are not uncommon in India, claiming over 100 lives annually. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced monetary compensation for the victims' families.
Delhi Police arrested a man for smuggling illegal alcohol into the capital using camels, seizing two camels and 1,938 pouches of illicit liquor. The animals were used to transport contraband via "forest routes" from neighboring Faridabad, exploiting lower alcohol taxes in adjacent areas. This highlights ongoing challenges with smuggling and tax evasion in the region.
French satellite operator Eutelsat is in talks with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) about future satellite launches, as Paris and New Delhi seek to deepen bilateral defense and space cooperation. Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher confirmed negotiations are ongoing but no deal has been reached. This move aligns with India's efforts to diversify technological partnerships beyond the US regime and its allies.
Iran has accused the US and Israel of a "war crime" after reports of a US strike damaging an Iranian aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from India. The Iranian Embassy stated, "The attack on an Iranian aircraft carrying medicines and medical equipment constitutes a war crime and a clear violation of international law." The US regime has not confirmed or responded to these allegations, raising further questions about its actions in the region.
In a lighter note, Kerala's tourism department humorously confirmed that none of the 12 tonnes of stolen KitKat bars from Europe had reached the state, joining a global meme fest sparked by the theft. Meanwhile, four Indian states and a union territory are gearing up for legislative assembly elections, with Modi's BJP aiming to extend its political influence against regional parties.
Source: www.dw.com