India News - English

An incident occurred at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in the early hours of October 3, resulting in three individuals being injured by gunshots. The injured parties are currently receiving medical treatment at AMU's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. In the wake of this event, the local police are actively engaged in investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. According to In-charge CO Civil Line Aligarh, Sanjay Jaiswal, the incident unfolded in the early hours of October 3. Sadiq Hasan, a student from Viqarul Mulk (VM) Hall, along with his friends, Firoz and Abdullah, had ventured to North Hall. Sanjay Jaiswal said, "Sadiq Hassan and our companions Firoz and Abdullah went to SS North Hall where they had an argument with the boys of Vahja, after which the boys of Sir Syed (SS) North Hall opened fire. Sadiq, Firoz and Abdullah were shot and are undergoing treatment in Emergency AMU". There, a confrontation transpired between them and individuals from SS North Hall. Regrettably, this altercation escalated to a point where individuals from SS North Hall allegedly opened fire. As a result of the shooting, Sadiq Hasan, Firoz, and Abdullah sustained injuries from shrapnel. Fortunately, their injuries are not considered life-threatening, and they are currently receiving emergency medical care at AMU. In response to this incident, the affected individuals are in the process of filing an official complaint, upon which legal action will be initiated. The police said authorities remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the full details of the event. Also watch: 6 persons killed in clash over land dispute in UP's Deoria

The Nobel Prize in physics has been awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier for looking at electrons in atoms during the tiniest of split seconds. Hans Ellegren, the secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, announced the award Tuesday in Stockholm. The Nobel Prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). The money comes from a bequest left by the prize's creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896. Also Watch: From being 'forced to retire' to Nobel Prize for medicine: Katalin Karikó recounts journey

A traffic constable was heckled by members of Hindu Raksha Dal after he issued a challan to a driver displaying a ‘Jai Mata Di’ sticker on his car. In a video that has gone viral on social media, the traffic policeman can be seen surrounded by a group of people, while Pinky Chaudhary, the national president of the Hindu Raksha Dal, argues with him. Chaudhary also attempted to snatch the mobile phone which the constable was holding to record the incident. The Motor Vehicles Act prohibits the display of religious or caste-specific stickers on vehicles. Chaudhary, the vehicle’s driver and about two dozen unidentified individuals have been booked. Also watch: Stones pelted at religious procession in Shivamogga, section 144 imposed

The Bihar caste survey has revealed that people belonging to the other backward classes or OBCs account for 27.12% of the state's total population. Among the OBCs, Yadavs form the largest chunk, comprising 14.26% of the state's population. Next come Kushwahas, who make up for 4.21%. Kushwahas are followed by Kurmis with 2.87% and Banias with 2.31% of the population. The extremely backward classes or EBCs make up for 36.01% of the population. OBCs and EBCs jointly form 63% of the population. According to the Indian Express, the EBCs are the biggest social group comprising 4,70,80,514 individuals, or 36.01% of the state’s population. The OBCs number 3,54,63,936 (27.12%), and the Scheduled Castes (SCs) 2,56,89,820 (19.65%).’ Scheduled Tribes (STs) number only 21,99,361 (1.68%), the bulk of the tribal population having become part of Jharkhand after the bifurcation of the state in 2000. The “unreserved” category comprises 2,02,91,679 individuals (15.52%). Bihar’s population, according to the survey, is 13,07,25,310, compared to the 10.41 crore recorded in the 2011 census. Also watch: Bihar govt releases caste survey results: OBCs, EBCs comprise 63%

24 patients including 12 newborn babies have died in a govt hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded in the last 24 hours, Dr Dilip Mhaisekar, director of the state's Medical Education and Research said on Oct 2. The dean of the Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital said that lack of hospital staff due to transfers and medicine shortage were responsible for the deaths. Media reports quoted him as saying that the hospital is a tertiary-level care centre and patients from far-off places come there since it is the only one in the 70 to 80-km radius. He added that on some days the patient load increases and creates a problem as several staff members have been transferred but their replacements have not been brought in. The dean also said that the hospital is supposed to buy medicines from an institute called Haffkine but that also did not work out and they had procure medicine locally for the patients. Also Watch: 24 patients, half of them newborns, die in Maharashtra hospital in a day

Four children are among seven patients who have died at a government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded since the night of October 3. This development follows 24 deaths in 24 hours and has taken the mortality count at the Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital in the past 48 hours to 31. Among those dead are 16 children.A report said the condition of 71 patients at the hospital is still critical.

Amid a diplomatic fallout, the Modi government has reportedly told Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomats from the country. The Financial Times reported that Ottawa has been told that it must repatriate roughly 40 diplomats by October 10. The report said that Canada has 62 diplomats in India and had said the total should be reduced by 41. The diplomatic relationship between New Delhi and Ottawa saw its lowest point after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently alleged that the Indian government could be behind the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was shot dead outside at a parking lot outside a Gurdwara in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.

The “largest” statue of B R Ambedkar outside India is all set to be unveiled in Maryland on October 14, the organisers have said. The 19-foot statue, named “Statue of Equality”, has been made by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also built the statue of Sardar Patel installed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The statue of Ambedkar, the key architect of India's Constitution, is part of the Ambedkar International Center (AIC) being built on 13 acres of land in Accokeek city of Maryland. “This is the largest statue of Babasaheb outside India and has been installed as a part of the Ambedkar Memorial being constructed at this center,” said the AIC. “Large number of representatives of Ambedkarite movement and his followers are expected to attend the event from across the USA and other parts of the world,” it said. According to the AIC, this memorial will serve to spread Babasaheb’s messages and teachings and showcase a symbol of equality and human rights. Representatives from various countries are expected to attend the status unveiling ceremony on October 14.

A Catholic priest under the Idukki diocese of the Syro-Malabar church was relieved of his duties as vicar on Monday, hours after he joined the BJP. Fr Kuriakose Mattam received the primary membership of the BJP from the party's Idukki district president K S Aji on Monday. Within hours, the Idukki diocese initiated action against him. The church said Fr Mattom has been temporarily relieved of parish duties at the Mankuva St Thomas church near Adimali. "Father Kuriakose Mattam of Mankuva church has been temporarily relieved of his duties as vicar," a statement by the Idukki Diocese said. A church spokesperson told PTI that the disciplinary action was taken as under Canon Law, a priest of the church cannot join or have active participation in any political party. The 74-year-old priest will retire in a few months, a church source said. The priest joined the BJP at a time when the catholic church had been attacking the party over the Manipur violence. In a Facebook post, Aji shared the images of the priest and said Fr Mattam has joined the BJP after "observing the current situation" in the country. In a video, the priest said that he could not find any reason not to join the BJP. "I follow contemporary issues. I don't find any reason not to join the BJP. I have friendships with many BJP workers. Today I received a membership. I have read from the newspapers and have an understanding of the BJP in the country," the priest said. Aji said the entry of the Christian priest into the BJP is a reply to those who criticise the party over the Manipur issue.

Two army personnel were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials said on Tuesday. The encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists on Monday evening following a cordon and search operation in a forest area of the district, they said. A joint team of the army and Jammu and Kashmir Police had cordoned off the Broh and Soom forest belts in the Kalakote area on Monday following information about suspicious movement, they said. The terrorists fired at the troops in an attempt to break the cordon resulting in retaliatory fire, officials said. In the gun battle, two army personnel were injured, a senior police officer told PTI. He said that they have been hospitalised and their condition is stable. Two terrorists are believed to be inside the cordoned area, they said, adding reinforcements have been rushed to plug all possible escape routes, they said. A defence spokesperson said the joint operation was launched in the general area in Kalakote and technology is being used to monitor the terrorists. Presently, an intense operation is underway, he added.