New Delhi: India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that New Delhi is behind the ethnic violence raging in the neighbouring country, saying it should look inwards instead of shifting blame for its own problems and that the world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies.

In response to media queries on the remarks made by the Pakistan side, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday that India strongly rejects the allegations as baseless.

“We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others,” said MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement.

India has snubbed Pakistan after it hinted at India’s role in fomenting trouble in the restive Balochistan region.

The government’s response came after a senior Pakistani official accused India of “sponsoring terrorism” and trying to destabilise its neighbouring countries.

The accusation came after the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during its journey from Quetta to Peshawar. The siege lasted about 30 hours, and 21 hostages and four security personnel were killed.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the train attack was orchestrated from abroad but did not directly implicate India. He said the rebels were in contact with their handlers based in Afghanistan throughout the train siege.

When asked if Pakistan had changed its policy from blaming India in the past for BLA activity, he said its accusations against India hold even today. “There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed…India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan,” said the Pakistani official addressing media.

IANS

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta celebrated Holi with the children of Rohini’s Asha Kiran Shelter Home Thursday, spreading festive cheer and extending greetings to the residents.

Amid joyous celebrations, CM Gupta applied gulal and interacted with the children.

Speaking to reporters, she expressed her delight, stating, “Today, I celebrated Holi with the children of Asha Kiran, and it felt wonderful. The children were very happy.”

During her visit, the Chief Minister also took stock of the living conditions at the shelter home.

“I wanted to understand how they are living here and identify any shortcomings in the system. I have noted the areas that need improvement and have informed the concerned authorities to address them,” she said.

Emphasising her commitment to welfare, she added, “While today’s visit was planned, next time, I will come unannounced, and I expect things to remain as well-maintained as they appeared today.”

CM Gupta personally interacted with the children and observed their well-being.

“Although they were not in a position to share much about themselves, I could still see a sense of peace on their faces. I will continue to keep this under observation and make regular visits,” she stated.

She also directed authorities to provide special care arrangements for the specially-abled children, including improvements in park facilities. Additionally, she instructed officials to increase the shelter home’s occupancy to accommodate more children in need.

Extending her Holi greetings to Delhiites, CM Gupta urged citizens to celebrate responsibly.

“I extend my heartfelt Holi greetings to all Delhi residents. May this Holi be safe, and let’s avoid wasting water by playing with natural colours. Keeping Delhi beautiful and clean is our shared responsibility. I believe we should celebrate Holi safely while conserving water and using natural colours,” she said.

IANS

New Delhi: AAP MLA and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Sunday criticised the BJP-led government in Delhi for failing to implement the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, accusing the party of misleading voters with “lies” and “fraud” to win elections.

The criticism came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta approved the scheme, which aims to provide Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance to eligible women. The scheme, branded as “Modi ki Guarantee,” was passed in a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Gupta Saturday.

The scheme is designed to benefit 15-20 lakh women between the ages of 18 and 60 from families with an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh, particularly those from Below Poverty Line (BPL) sections.

According to the eligibility criteria, beneficiaries must have been residents of Delhi for the past five years and possess a bank account linked to their Aadhaar number.

Beneficiaries are expected to register online, with a software system ensuring multi-level verification to prevent fraudulent claims, similar to the Union government’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programme.

However, Atishi lashed out at the BJP government, claiming that despite the March 8 deadline set by the party, no money had been credited to beneficiaries’ accounts, nor had any registration process commenced.

“Before the Delhi elections, PM Modi had promised the women of Delhi that March 8, an amount of Rs 2,500 would be deposited in the accounts of all eligible women. He asked women to link their phone numbers to their bank accounts, assuring them they would receive a message confirming the deposit. But what happened March 8? Neither Rs 2,500 was credited nor was a registration website launched,” Atishi said while speaking to IANS.

She further claimed that instead of fulfilling the promise, the BJP government merely formed a committee of four ministers.

“The women of Delhi know that forming a committee is often a tactic to delay schemes indefinitely. The committee will sit for years, but the promised money will never reach the beneficiaries,” the former Delhi CM said.

Atishi also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of deceiving the people of Delhi.

“It has been proven that PM Modi lied to the women of Delhi. The promise has turned out to be a fraud. After today, the people of Delhi- and indeed the entire country- will not trust ‘Modi ki Guarantee.’ People now know that he makes big promises before elections and backtracks afterwards,” she added.

IANS 

Taj Mahal, one of the most famous monuments in the world, is widely recognised for its breathtaking architecture and historical significance. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it stands as a symbol of love and an architectural marvel.

However, a report has resurfaced suggesting that the Taj Mahal was originally known by a different name.

Some reports and historical discussions indicate that it was initially called “Rauza-i-Munawwara,” which translates to “Illuminated Tomb” in Persian.

While this theory has been referenced by researchers and historical texts, there is no official verification to confirm it as the monument’s original name.

UNESCO recognizes the Taj Mahal as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of world heritage.” It credits Shah Jahan with its construction, stating that work began in 1632 and was completed in phases by 1653.

While the claim about an earlier name remains unverified, it continues to spark curiosity and debate. Whether or not the Taj Mahal was ever officially known as “Rauza-i-Munawwara,” its legacy as one of the greatest architectural achievements in history remains undisputed.

PNN

New York: An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi has been diverted to Rome, according to information on a flight tracking website.

Italy’s ANSA news agency said that the diversion was caused by an “alleged bomb threat”.

American Airlines flight AA292 departed New York’s JFK International Airport on February 22 and was scheduled to arrive in Delhi, but it has been diverted to Rome.

According to information on flightradar24.com, the flight is expected to land shortly in Rome.

According to the flight’s status on the American Airlines website, flight AA292 departed New York’s JFK airport at 8:14 pm on February 22 and is estimated to arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport in Fiumicino, Italy at around 5:30 pm local time.

Inquiries left with American Airlines as well as the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the status of the flight and the reason for diversion were not immediately answered.

PTI

Delhi: A Delhi metro viral video has taken social media by storm, showing a man catching two women “red-handed” for an alleged theft inside the metro premises.

In the viral video, a man is seen accusing two women of stealing and forcefully escorting them from the underground metro area to hand them over to the police. One of the women can be heard crying and repeatedly asking, “What have I done?” as they are taken upstairs.

Once outside, the man and the police officer lead them to a CCTV control room, where police begin verifying his claims. The women, now visibly shaken, are seen sitting quietly in a corner as the officers check the surveillance footage. However, the video ends before confirming whether the women were actually involved in a theft.

The video has gained significant attention on the IndianRailways subreddit, receiving over 3,000 upvotes and more than 90 comments.

One user commented, “The way she starts playing the victim card when caught is next level..” Meanwhile, another wrote, “The guy did good by handing over the lady to cops.”

Watch the viral video here:

Lady pickpocket gang caught red handed stealing 10,000 on Delhi Metro !!
byu/IndianByBrain inindianrailways

PNN

New Delhi: The Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP), Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs organised a conclave Wednesday at Manesar on the outskirts of the national capital, highlighting the success of the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in shaping the successful resolution of distressed assets in the real estate sector.

The conclave featured discussions centred around the theme “Resolving Insolvencies in Real Estate Projects” with keynote addresses from prominent industry professionals, including Anuj Jain and Pallav Mohapatra.

The keynote address mainly focused on the development of real estate insolvency and the role of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in shaping the successful resolution of distressed assets in the real estate sector.

Mohapatra also highlighted the challenges faced by Insolvency Professionals and the relevant skills required for sector-specific insolvency resolution.

The panellists included various professionals from insolvency entities, law firms, ARCs and academicians from across the country. Leading domain experts expressed their views on the issue.

The PGIP Conclave 2025 served as a vital platform for professionals to exchange knowledge and stay abreast of developments in the insolvency domain.

The discussions come in the backdrop of the big boost to real estate in the Budget for 2025-26 with its focus on housing, economic resilience, and tourism-led growth.

The Rs 15,000-crore SWAMIH Fund 2 will fast-track the completion of 1 lakh stalled housing units, restoring liquidity and boosting homebuyer confidence.

Targeted rental housing incentives and self-occupied home tax benefits announced in the budget are expected to further drive demand for homes, particularly among urban and middle-income buyers.

Additionally, the development of 50 top tourist destinations will unlock vast opportunities in hospitality, retail, and urban infrastructure, reinforcing tourism as a key economic driver.

According to CRISIL, the bad loan recovery rate for residential real estate projects is expected to increase to 16–18% by the end of FY25. This is due to higher property prices, improved demand, and more investor interest in reviving stressed projects.

IANS

New Delhi: Two days after the tragic incident which claimed 18 lives, the Delhi Police have deployed six inspector-rank officers at the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) to enhance crowd management and ensure passenger safety.

These officers, drawn from different districts, were specifically chosen for their experience handling operations at the New Delhi Railway Station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the country.

Some of them have earlier served as Station House Officers (SHOs) at the station, giving them a strong understanding of the logistical and security challenges posed by large crowds.

With the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage driving an increased influx of passengers, authorities anticipate the surge to persist in the coming days. The deployment is part of an effort to streamline crowd movement and avert any untoward incidents, particularly as the final major scan of the Kumbh approaches February 26 on Shivratri.

The Maha Shivratri scan February 26 is expected to draw a large number of devotees travelling to Prayagraj for a holy dip in the Ganges.

Saturday night, a stampede at the station resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including five children, and left over a dozen injured. The tragedy occurred due to a sudden surge of passengers waiting to board trains bound for Prayagraj. The incident took place on the foot-overbridge connecting platform numbers 14 and 15, where some passengers slipped while descending, leading to panic and a fatal crash.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an inquiry and set up a two-member high-level committee to investigate the lapses. Following the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, other stations in the country have also implemented emergency measures.

Meanwhile, devotees continue to pour in Prayagraj at the Triveni Sangam to take the sacred dip.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that about 1.49 crore devotees took a holy dip at the Sangam Sunday.

IANS

New Delhi: A narrow stairway with 42 steps leading to a 25-foot-wide foot over bridge at the New Delhi railway station turned into a scene of panic and chaos when a stampede left 18 people dead and more than a dozen injured.

Scattered slippers, torn bags, and abandoned belongings lay strewn across the staircase, the bridge, and platforms 14 and 15 — silent witnesses to the tragedy that unfolded Saturday night.

The disaster struck at 9:55 pm on Saturday, when thousands of passengers, many of them Maha Kumbh pilgrims, crowded the station. A mix-up in train announcements set off a chain reaction of confusion and panic, according to eyewitnesses.

The Delhi Police said the confusion happened because of the announcement of the trains having the same initial name starting with ‘Prayagraj’.

“The announcement of the Prayagraj Special arriving at platform 16 led to confusion because the Prayagraj Express was already at platform 14. People who couldn’t reach their train at platform 14 thought their train was arriving at platform 16 leading to the stampede.

“Additionally, there were four trains heading to Prayagraj, out of which three were delayed, causing unexpected overcrowding,” a police official said.

Two other trains, the Swatantrata Senani Express and the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express, were already delayed, leaving platforms 13, 14, and 15 packed with restless travellers. Then came an announcement that a special train to Prayagraj would depart from platform 16.

“A train to Prayagraj (Prayagraj Express) was already at platform 14. When the announcement about the special train was made, many passengers assumed it was their regular train and rushed towards platform 16,” said an eyewitness.

The only way to platform 16 was via the 42-step stairway leading to a 25-foot-wide foot over bridge. As thousands surged forward, the stairway became dangerously overcrowded. Those climbing up were blocked by those trying to descend, creating a human bottleneck.

“The force of the crowd was unbearable. People were trapped, unable to move. Some lost their footing and fell, dragging others down with them,” recalled Gyanender Singh, an eyewitness.

Panic set in as desperate cries filled the air. “Arey ruk jao, log marr rahe hain (Stop, people are dying),” one survivor shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the stampede.

With relentless pressure from behind, many — especially women and elderly passengers — fell and were trampled.

“I couldn’t move. People were falling on top of me,” said a survivor, still visibly shaken.

He further explained that a handrail divides the foot over bridge into two sections.

“Many passengers failed to notice the handrail, which stands about 2.5 feet above ground level. As a result, several people tripped over it, triggering panic. In the chaos, others began pushing to rescue those who had fallen, worsening the situation,” he added.

A railway worker involved in the rescue operation described the scene as one of the worst disasters he had witnessed.

“People had no time to pick up their belongings; they just ran for their lives. Shoes were left without pairs, broken bangles littered the ground, and a child’s school bag lay abandoned,” he said.

Railway officials admitted that overcrowding played a major role in the tragedy. With general tickets being sold at a rate of 1,500 per hour, managing the passenger surge had become nearly impossible.

Authorities have since tightened security and launched an investigation to determine what went wrong and how such incidents can be prevented.

By Sunday morning, the station had resumed normal operations, but the scars of the night remained.

PTI

New Delhi: The packed New Delhi Railway station became a horrific sight for thousands of passengers, mostly the Maha Kumbh pilgrims after an overnight stampede led to at least 18 deaths.

However, this tragic event is not isolated, as stampedes resulting in numerous casualties have occurred in India over the years, including one at the Mahakumbh — currently underway at Prayagraj — just a few weeks ago.

Thirty people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede January 29 at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.

Some of the largest casualties caused by stampedes over the recent years include the deadly stampede that occurred last year July 2 during a ‘Satsang’ by the self-styled godman, Bhole Baba, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed 121 lives, most of whom were women.

Similarly, more than 340 devotees were killed at Maharashtra’s Mandhardevi temple in 2005 and at least 250 were killed at Rajasthan’s Chamunda Devi temple in 2008. Another stampede at a religious gathering at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh caused the loss of lives of 162 people in 2008.

Here is a list of some of such major tragedies that have taken place in the country in recent years:

July 2, 2024: More than 100 people, including women and children, were killed after a stampede broke out at a ‘satsang’ (prayer meeting) organised by a self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari, in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras.

March 31, 2023: At least 36 people died when the slab constructed on top of an ancient ‘bawdi’ or well collapsed during a ‘havan’ programme held on the occasion of Ram Navami at a temple in Indore city.

January 1, 2022: At least 12 people died and over a dozen were injured in a stampede at the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir triggered by a heavy rush of devotees.

September 29, 2017: Twenty-three people lost their lives and 36 were injured in the stampede on the narrow bridge connecting the Elphinstone Road station of the Western Railway with the Parel station of the Central Railway in Mumbai.

July 14, 2015: Twenty-seven pilgrims died and 20 others were injured in a stampede at a major bathing spot on the banks of the Godavari river where a huge crowd of devotees had gathered on the opening day of ‘Pushkaram’ festival in Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh

October 3, 2014: Thirty-two people were killed and 26 others injured in a stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, shortly after the Dussehra celebrations ended.

October 13, 2013: 115 people were killed and over 100 injured in a stampede during the Navratri festivities near Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district. The stampede was triggered by rumours that a river bridge the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.

November 19, 2012: Around 20 people were killed and many others injured as a makeshift bridge caved in, triggering a stampede during the Chhath Puja at Adalat Ghat on the bank of river Ganga in Patna.

November 8, 2011: At least 20 people were killed in a stampede in Haridwar at Har-ki-Pauri ghat on the banks of the Ganga river.

January 14, 2011: At least 104 Sabarimala devotees were killed and over 40 were injured in a stampede when a jeep crashed into homebound pilgrims at Pulmedu in Kerala’s Idukki district.

March 4, 2010: About 63 people were killed in a stampede at Ram Janki Temple of Kripalu Maharaj in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district as people gathered to collect free clothes and food from the self-styled godman.

September 30, 2008: Nearly 250 devotees were killed and over 60 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of a bomb going off at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur city.

August 3, 2008: 162 dead, 47 injured in a stampede triggered by rumours of rockslides at Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district.

January 25, 2005: Over 340 devotees were trampled to death and hundreds injured during an annual pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The accident occurred when some people fell on the steps made slippery by the devotees breaking coconuts.

August 27, 2003: 39 people were killed and around 140 injured in a stampede during the holy bath at the Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.

 PTI

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Sunday said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the stampede at New Delhi railway station and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday night at the crowded railway station.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of precious lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Majhi said in a post on X.

Former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Naveen Patnaik, too, expressed sorrow over the deaths in the incident.

Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of precious lives in the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) February 16, 2025

“Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of so many lives in the stampede at #NewDelhi railway station. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their loved ones,” he said.

He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

The stampede was preceded by a swell in a crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is underway — on platform number 14 and 15 of the station.

PTI

New Delhi: People’s belongings scattered everywhere, a crowd unlike anything seen before with scores pushing and scrambling for space amid cries for help — eyewitnesses have recalled the horror as the death toll in the overnight stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station climbed to 18 Sunday.

According to official sources, a wrong announcement about the change of platforms may have created confusion that led to the stampede, something that some eyewitnesses also claimed.

As soon as the announcement was made, people surged forward by pushing each other. Those who fell were trampled in the rush, Ravi Kumar, a vendor running a shop at the railway station for the past 12 years, told PTI.

The crowd was unlike anything seen before, he said.

Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Upadhyay said on Sunday that at the time of the incident, the Patna-bound Magadh Express was standing at platform number 14 and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express was stationed at platform number 15.

An overwhelming number of passengers were waiting to board trains for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh is underway.

“Some people who were coming down from the footover bridge towards platform numbers 14 and 15 using stairs slipped and fell on others,” he said, citing the cause of the stampede.

Recalling the distressing scenes, Kumar said, “The rush on platforms 12, 14, and 15 was overwhelming. All the trains bound for Prayagraj were packed beyond capacity.”

“The Prayagraj Express was already standing on one platform when an announcement was made for the arrival of another train. As soon as the announcement was made, people surged forward, pushing each other. The footbridge connecting the platforms is small, and in the rush, people fell and were trampled.”

Ved Prakash, a resident of Paharganj, planned to travel to Prayagraj with his wife but decided to return home after witnessing the huge swell in the crowd.

“Even inside the train, there was no space to stand. I stepped out and chose to go back,” he said.

The family member of one of the deceased Sunday reached the LNJP Hospital to collect the body of Poonam Devi, who was heading home to Bihar Saturday night.

“There was an overwhelming crowd at the station, and her train was supposed to arrive at platform number 12. However, after an announcement was made, people started rushing, and those who fell were crushed,” the relative said.

Among the victims was a woman travelling with her family to Chhapra in Bihar. Her son, struggling to hold back his tears, recounted the devastating loss.

“We were travelling home in a large group and my mother lost her life in the chaos. People were pushing each other, and she got caught in the rush,” he said.

One of the passengers, Dharmendra Singh, said, “I was going to Prayagraj but many trains were running late or were cancelled. The station was overcrowded. There were far more people than I have ever seen at this station. In front of me, six or seven women were taken away on stretchers.”

PTI

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt condolences Sunday to the families who lost their loved ones in a tragic stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station.

18 people were confirmed dead, with several others injured in the chaos, which occurred Saturday night as passengers rushed to board trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh.

In a post on X, President Murmu expressed her deep sorrow, stating, “Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

The stampede occurred around 8 p.m. on platforms 14 and 15 of the station, as a massive crowd of passengers sought to catch trains to the holy city of Prayagraj.

The situation became increasingly chaotic as the crowd swelled, leading to the tragic incident.

According to officials from the LNJP Hospital, 18 people lost their lives.

In response to the incident, the Delhi Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) were quickly deployed to restore order. Fire engines were also sent to the scene.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reassured the public through a post on X, stating that the situation was under control. He also mentioned that injured passengers had been taken to nearby hospitals and special trains were being run to manage the overwhelming rush of travellers.

Situation under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS)
Delhi Police and RPF reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush.

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025

The Northern Railway, in a post on X, wrote, “Situation of heavy rush at New Delhi Station is under control. Delhi police and RPF reached. The injured have been taken to hospital. Special trains are being run to evacuate sudden rush.”

Situation of heavy rush at New Delhi Station is under control
Delhi police and RPF reached. Injured have been taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush.

— Northern Railway (@RailwayNorthern) February 15, 2025

Meanwhile, a police official was quoted as saying, “When the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present there. The Swatatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (both of which pass through Prayagraj) were delayed and passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12, 13 and 14.”

Special trains operated by the Railways for the Mahakumbh have been witnessing a massive crowd as the festival approaches its end (February 26).

IANS

New Delhi: At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a tragic stampede that broke out late Saturday night at New Delhi Railway Station.

The incident occurred as a massive crowd of passengers, hoping to board trains to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, rushed onto platforms 14 and 15.

The stampede followed a sharp increase in the number of passengers attempting to catch the evening trains to the holy city, resulting in overcrowding and chaos.

While most of the victims have been identified, authorities noted that two of the casualties remain unidentified. Among the deceased were at least three children.

जिस प्रकार नई दिल्ली स्टेशन में भगदड़ मचने से दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण रूप से इतनी बड़ी संख्या में बिहार के लोगों की जानें गई है वह सचमुच ही अत्यंत दुखदायी है।#NewDelhiRailwaystation#MahakumbhStampede

निरंतर शिकायत की जा रही थी कि रेलवे द्वारा बिहार की ट्रेनों और बिहार के रेलयात्रियों… pic.twitter.com/U1hQHW6T1R

— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) February 16, 2025

The situation escalated when the sudden surge of passengers, coupled with delays, led to a panic-stricken crowd. Emergency response teams, including medical personnel and police, rushed to the scene to manage the chaos. Injured passengers were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Also Read: Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles begins at Odisha’s Rushikulya river mouth

DCP Railway KPS Malhotra explained the cause of the incident, stating that the main reason for the stampede was a surge in passengers during the delays of two trains.

“Basically, at one point, the train was delayed, and in addition to that, there were extra tickets which people had purchased for Prayagraj. We had assessed the crowd, and I’m explaining the situation in the specific time frame, which would be around a 10-minute window. The arrival of more people during this time, along with the two delays, was the main reason for the situation,” said the DCP.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the stampede and heightened security measures have been implemented at the station to prevent further incidents.

IANS

New Delhi: Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva Friday wrote to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, condemning Caretaker Chief Minister Atishi for misusing her position to enable the digital misappropriation of government property and for misleading the public by holding a press conference on alleged power cuts.

He urged the Lieutenant Governor to instruct officials not to follow Atishi’s improper directives.

The Delhi BJP President said that since the Caretaker Chief Minister accused the BJP of orchestrating power cuts in a press conference, it is necessary to ensure that she does not issue misleading statements while serving as a caretaker CM.

In his letter, Sachdeva pointed out that under the Acting Chief Minister’s instructions, IT department officials have allegedly converted the official social media account (X) of the Chief Minister’s Office — developed using government funds and resources — into the personal account of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which is illegal.

Sachdeva demanded that the LG should instruct officials to halt this digital misappropriation orchestrated by Caretaker CM Atishi and restore the social media posts of the Chief Minister’s Office.

He stated that the Caretaker Chief Minister had claimed that power cuts were occurring in Delhi, whereas in reality, no such cuts were happening.

Therefore, the Lieutenant Governor should ask power distribution companies to clarify the actual situation, he wrote.

Sachdeva accused the Caretaker CM’s party colleagues of spreading falsehoods and confusion regarding the alleged spike in power cuts after the Assembly polls.

Thursday, Atishi alleged the return of power cuts in Delhi after the BJP won the Assembly election

The Delhi BJP chief said that the entire city knows that for several years, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government, in collusion with private power discoms, had been exploiting people.

“We have exposed the exploitation of electricity consumers through power purchase adjustment charges (PPAC) and other charges. Now, with the BJP government set to take over, the Caretaker Chief Minister is conspiring and using fear tactics to force discoms into cooperating with her,” he said.

IANS

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will finalise the name for the Chief Minister’s post in Delhi only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his US visit, sources said Thursday, adding that the pick will be from the MLAs and there will be no deputy CM.

According to party insiders, BJP National President J.P. Nadda has stated that the Chief Minister will be selected from among the elected MLAs, and the Legislature Party meeting to decide the leader will take place only after the PM’s return.

Sources have indicated that one of the foremost priorities of the new BJP-led government will be the cleaning of the Yamuna River. Work on this front has already started, with the party keen on delivering on its promise of rejuvenating the heavily polluted river.

Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, which provides financial protection for medical expenses to underprivileged citizens, will be implemented in Delhi — something the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had not done.

Nadda also hinted that some major policy decisions are expected to be taken in the first cabinet meeting which is likely to be held immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources have also said that there will be no Deputy Chief Minister in the new BJP government in Delhi.

The party has held a series of meetings after the declaration of results involving top leaders. Another round of meetings is likely to take place in two days.

The term of the current Delhi Assembly will conclude February 26 and the new government must take charge by then.

In the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections, held February 5, the BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats. The AAP, which had ruled the national capital for the last 10 years, suffered a major setback, managing to win only 22 seats. The Congress drew a blank, the third time in a row.

The election results were announced February 8.

IANS

It is an irony of fate that the party that had stormed into power on the promise of fighting against corruption finally fell under the weight of allegations of corruption and its failure to fulfil its electoral pledges. Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) drubbing at the hands of the BJP in the Delhi Assembly elections is a lesson for all parties which go against their core ideology and are seen as inconsistent with their perceived image. It would be a facile explanation to attribute the defeat to an anti-incumbency factor alone since what has happened is a loss of voters’ faith in a leadership that promised to selflessly work for the people, but ended up getting mired in allegations of corruption and perennially engaged in a blame game accusing its main adversary, the BJP, of not letting it function.

Having lost Delhi, which served as the party’s foundation and its main source of political energy, the AAP is currently grappling with its most significant existential crisis. With Kejriwal’s defeat in New Delhi and the losses of prominent leaders like Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, the party’s leadership now stands at a pivotal moment. Kejriwal lost to BJP’s Parvesh Verma, son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma, by 4,089 votes. Verma is now a top contender for the CM’s post. The party’s governance model, which focused on providing free electricity, water, and educational reforms, appears to have failed to connect with the city’s residents. Additionally, Kejriwal’s attempt to appeal to voters through a soft Hindootva approach, including promises of monthly stipends for temple priests, did not resonate with the electorate. Apart from charges of corruption in the liquor licence case for which several top AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, were arrested, the allegation that Kejriwal spent over `40 crore to refurbish his chief ministerial residence, termed as “Sheesh Mahal” by the BJP, seems to have proved to be the last straw. While he could not convincingly defend himself, the public perception of a clean leader getting involved in alleged corruption for his personal comfort sealed the AAP’s fate.

At the same time, credit goes to the BJP for playing its cards well and defeating the AAP in the game of voters’ perception. The party ended its political drought in Delhi after 26 years, surpassing the majority mark and ending the AAP’s 12-year rule. Coming close on the heels of its success in the Assembly elections of Maharashtra and Haryana, the Delhi victory would help the party regain ground it lost in the Lok Sabha polls last year where it failed to secure a majority on its own. The BJP focused its Delhi campaign on local issues, such as poor road conditions, inconsistent water supply, air pollution which has earned the national capital worldwide infamy, and non-operational mohalla clinics. While the AAP’s promises of freebies were met with ‘Modi’s guarantee,’ which resonated with voters, considerable groundwork was laid by the RSS and allied organisations. RSS volunteers conducted a silent voter awareness campaign and organised thousands of “drawing room meetings” throughout Delhi to address urgent public concerns such as access to potable water, inadequate healthcare services, air pollution, and the cleaning of the Yamuna.

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The Congress, which had been in power for 15 consecutive years under Sheila Dikshit starting in 1998, faced a significant setback in the Assembly elections, failing to secure a single seat for the third consecutive time. Many of its candidates faced devastating losses, with most even losing their deposits.

The failure of the AAP and the Congress to put up a common front against the BJP caused great damage to the ruling party as in over a dozen seats in the Delhi Assembly the BJP could win because of split in the Opposition votes. The main lesson for the Opposition parties from the outcome of the Delhi Assembly election is that if they cannot sink their differences for capturing power in states and project a united front, their main agenda to dislodge the BJP from power at the Centre would look like chasing a mirage.

We were all taught in school that ‘it’s not about winning, it’s about taking part’. The proverb stands morally correct for lifting someone whose chips are down after a crushing defeat.

Despite having all the flaws, the Indian democracy and especially the Delhi election results give us the message of ‘never quit’. Despite having the fear of losing the polls by a massive margin, candidates choose to take the bull by the horns.

Today, we have curated a list of candidates from various Assembly constituencies of Delhi who were electorally annihilated.

Cast an eye on the list of constituencies and candidates who garnered less than 25 votes in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly election:

Kalkaji

In Kalkaji Assembly constitunecy, Rajesh Kumar from Veer Janshakti Party got only 23 votes and lost the election by a margin of 52,131 votes.

Seelampur

In Seelampur Assembly constituency, independent candidate Islauddin was able to get 22 votes, losing the election by a whooping margin of 78,987 votes.

Janakpuri

In Janakpuri Assembly constituency, All India National Raksha Sena candidate Raj Kumar received only 20 votes.

Adarsh Nagar

In Adarsh Nagar Assembly constituency, Md. Rehmat Ali got only 18 votes and lost the election by a margin of 52,492 votes.

Matia Mahal

In Matia Mahal Assembly constituency, independent candidate Zainuddin received only 11 votes.

New Delhi

The New Delhi Assembly constituency witnessed a dozen candidates who did not even garner 25 votes. Among them, the lowest-getter was Bharatrashtra Democratic Party candidate Ishwar Chand.

It can be mentioned here that OrissaPOST has absolutely no intention of hurting the sentiments of the aforementioned candidates.

PNN

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi handed over her resignation to Lt Governor VK Saxena Sunday, a day after her Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faced a crushing defeat in the Assembly polls.

Atishi, who retained her Kalkaji seat, handed over her resignation to Saxena at Raj Niwas, officials said.

The BJP returned to power in Delhi after more than 26 years, winning 48 of the 70 Assembly seats. The AAP won 22 seats while the Congress drew a blank in the polls held February 5.

The BJP is expected to stake claim to power next week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from a foreign visit, party leaders said.

Atishi took oath as Chief Minister in September last year after AAP convenor and her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal resigned from the post.

PTI

New Delhi: The buzz over BJP’s Chief Ministerial pick has intensified after the party made a grand return to power in Delhi after a gap of more than 26 years, winning 48 seats in the 70-member Assembly.

Parvesh Verma’s political currency skyrocketed with his stupendous victory over AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi by 4,089 votes, positioning him as a potential claimant to the top post in the upcoming BJP government. He is also the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma.

The BJP winners also included several experienced senior leaders who are also in the race for the Chief Minister’s post, party leaders said after the poll results were declared Saturday.

“These include Ashish Sood and former state general secretary (organisation) Pawan Sharma,” a top BJP functionary in Delhi said.

Sood, who won from Janakpuri by 18,766 votes, is a senior leader with some hands-on experience in administrative matters gained during BJP’s rule in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

He is also BJP’s in-charge for Goa, and co-in-charge for the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit.

Sharma, who won from Uttam Nagar by 29,740 votes, is also a frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post, BJP leaders said.

He is currently the BJP’s co-in-charge for Assam.

Other serious contenders to the top post include former Delhi BJP presidents Vijender Gupta and Satish Upadhyay.

Gupta, the leader of opposition in the previous Delhi Assembly, scored a hat-trick of wins from Rohini, winning by 37,816 votes.

Upadhyay, the former vice-chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council, is believed to share close ties with the RSS leadership, BJP leaders said.

Co-in-charge for BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit, Upadhyay defeated AAP stalwart and former minister Somnath Bharti from Malviya Nagar by a slender margin of 2,131 votes.

The BJP leaders also didn’t rule out the possibility of the party’s national leadership placing its bet on a woman candidate for Delhi Chief Minster’s post.

In that case, Rekha Gupta and Shikha Rai are two experienced leaders who may be considered, they said.           While Rai defeated AAP heavyweight Saurabh Bharadwaj from Greater Kailash by 3,188 votes, Gupta won from Shalimar Bagh by more than 29,000 votes.

In case the national leadership opts for someone from outside its legislative party members, a few sitting MPs could also be considered, such as East Delhi MP and Union minister Harsh Malhotra and North-East Delhi MP and prominent Purvanchali face Manoj Tiwari, said a section of Delhi BJP leaders.

Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader cautioned that going by past experiences in Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where the party won assembly polls recently, it leaves little room for speculation on such matters.

“You never know… The national leadership can come out with an altogether fresh face who fits the bill and is capable of discharging the duties as the Chief Minister of Delhi amid high expectations of the people,” he said.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the decision to pick the Chief Minister will be taken by the party’s central leadership, adding that all the newly-elected MLAs are capable of discharging the duties assigned to them by the party.

PTI