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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has defended Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent announcement regarding a 4 per cent quota for contractors bidding on government projects, which critics claim is an attempt to appease Muslims. Shivakumar clarified that the quota is intended for all minorities and backward classes, not exclusively for Muslims. In the state budget for 2025-26, Siddaramaiah allocated Rs 42,018 crore for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and proposed increasing the reservation for various categories of contractors to Rs 2 crore. The amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act allows for reservations in government contracts up to Rs 1 crore. However, the BJP has condemned the move as unconstitutional and accused the Congress of promoting divisive politics, suggesting that it neglects other marginalized communities while focusing on Muslim appeasement. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPrime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged in a three-hour podcast conversation with computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, which Fridman described as one of the most impactful discussions of his life. The conversation, set to be released shortly, touched on various aspects of Modi's life, including his childhood, time spent in the Himalayas, and his journey into public service. Fridman, who has interviewed numerous influential figures such as US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, expressed excitement about visiting India for the first time and experiencing its rich culture. He previously praised Modi as one of the most fascinating individuals he has studied, noting the Prime Minister's unique personal experiences, including his multi-day fasts for spiritual reasons. The podcast is scheduled to be available at 5:30 PM IST. 
Published: Mar 16 2025, 12 ameznews.inA man named Maninder Pal Singh Monty has been arrested in Mohali, Punjab, following the death of Dr. Abhishek Swarnkar, a 39-year-old scientist, after a parking dispute. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when Monty allegedly pushed Swarnkar to the ground and punched him during an argument over parking near Swarnkar's home. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Swarnkar, who had recently undergone a kidney transplant, later died. His family accused Monty of ongoing harassment regarding parking issues. The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Swarnkar as a "brilliant mind" and demanding strict action against Monty. Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and are reviewing CCTV footage for further investigation. Monty will be presented in court on Sunday. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe arrest of Reetam Singh, spokesperson for Congress' Assam unit, has sparked renewed tensions between the Congress party and the ruling BJP. Singh was detained on Saturday following a social media post questioning the status of legal cases against three senior BJP figures, including a former state chief. The complaint was filed by BJP MLA Manab Deka's wife in response to Singh's post, which referenced a court conviction related to a 2021 rape case in Dhemaji district. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, condemned the arrest as "atrocious," while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma defended the action, citing a caste-based insult against a Dalit woman. Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, criticized the police's handling of the arrest, arguing that it exemplified political bias, especially in light of unpunished violence by BJP supporters against police officers. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 11 pmeznews.inActor Ranya Rao's stepfather, K Ramachandra Rao, a senior officer in the Karnataka police, has been placed on "compulsory leave" following her arrest for gold smuggling. The leave order, issued without explanation, comes days after Ranya was detained at Bengaluru airport with 14.8kg of gold, valued at approximately Rs 12.56 crore, concealed on her person. Rao expressed shock at his stepdaughter's actions, stating he was unaware of her situation and that she lives separately with her husband. Preliminary investigations suggest Ranya exploited her connections to evade security checks, having made multiple trips to Dubai in a short span. Following her arrest, authorities discovered additional gold jewelry worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore at her home. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, along with the CBI and ED, is investigating the case, while the Karnataka government examines potential misuse of VIP privileges. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inPolice in Maharashtra's Palghar district have apprehended 49-year-old Harish Hippargi for the alleged murder of his wife, Utpala, two months prior. The investigation was sparked by the discovery of a skull in a travel bag in Virar on Friday. Hippargi, who worked in the imitation jewellery industry, reportedly had a tumultuous relationship with Utpala, 51, often marred by disputes over her son from a previous marriage. Following a violent altercation on January 8, Hippargi is accused of strangling Utpala, dismembering her body, and disposing of her torso in a drain while placing her severed head in a bag abandoned near Pirkunda Dargah. He misled his son into believing Utpala had returned to her hometown in West Bengal. After tracking Hippargi's movements, police arrested him in Nalasopara, and efforts are underway to locate Utpala's remains. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched a crackdown on non-compliant products sold through major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, conducting search and seizure operations in cities such as Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi. On March 7, BIS seized 215 toys and 24 hand blenders at an Amazon warehouse in Lucknow, while a February raid in Gurugram uncovered various non-certified items, including aluminium foils and PVC cables. A similar operation at a Flipkart warehouse resulted in the confiscation of 534 stainless steel bottles and 134 toys. Investigations traced many violations to Techvision International Pvt Ltd, leading to further raids that uncovered thousands of uncertified electric appliances. BIS has filed legal actions under the BIS Act, 2016, emphasizing the need for e-commerce platforms to ensure that only certified products are sold, as non-compliant items pose significant safety risks to consumers. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA confrontation between a police officer and a BJP leader in Karnataka has sparked widespread attention after a video of their altercation went viral. The incident occurred late Friday night on Durgada Siri Hotel Road in Chitradurga, approximately 270 km from Bengaluru, when Sub Inspector Gadilinga Gowdar attempted to disperse a gathering. In response, Madhugiri BJP District President Hanumanta Gowda reportedly verbally abused the officer, prompting Gowdar to retaliate with a slap. The altercation escalated quickly, with both men exchanging blows as bystanders attempted to intervene. Following the incident, counter-complaints have been filed by both parties, highlighting the tensions between local law enforcement and political figures in the region. The incident raises questions about authority and conduct among public officials in Karnataka. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav faced backlash after a video surfaced showing him instructing a policeman to dance during Holi celebrations at his Patna residence. In the clip, Yadav tells the officer, "If you don't dance today, you will be suspended," which has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents, particularly the BJP and JD(U). They likened his behavior to that of his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav, suggesting it reflects a "Jungle Raj" mentality where law enforcement is pressured to comply with political demands. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla condemned the incident, warning that if the RJD returned to power, similar threats would undermine law and order. JD(U) spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad echoed these sentiments, stating that such actions have no place in modern Bihar. Elections for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly are expected later this year, although official dates have yet to be announced. 
Published: Mar 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA festive Holi celebration turned tragic in Delhi when Ashish Kumar, a 23-year-old tea-seller, was brutally attacked and killed. Kumar was returning home with a friend after the celebrations when their motorcycle collided with another in the Kalyanpuri area. Following the accident, an argument erupted between the two groups, escalating into violence. One of the assailants struck Kumar with a bottle and then fatally slashed his neck with a shard of glass before fleeing. Despite being rushed to Max Hospital, Kumar was pronounced dead. In response to the serious nature of the incident, Delhi Police quickly formed four teams and arrested the main suspect, Pankaj Sinha, a 30-year-old salesman, along with his accomplice Jeetu, a 27-year-old e-rickshaw driver. The police utilized CCTV footage and phone records to aid their swift investigation, leading to the arrests within hours. 
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