RG Kar victim’s mother hospitalised as she falls sick amid chaos during ‘March to Nabanna’

Indian-Medical-Association-IMA-RG-Kar-Protest

Kolkata, Aug 9, 2025
The mother of the R.G. Kar rape and murder victim, on Saturday, was admitted to a private hospital after she fell sick during ‘Nabanna Avijan’ (March to Secretariat).

After she had fallen sick, her associates tried to give her some initial comfort by sprinkling cold water on her face. However, as she continued complaining about uneasiness, she was shifted to a private hospital,

According to protesters, she was feeling dizzy and was having difficulty breathing. “She fell sick after policemen beat her up. She has been taken to a private hospital for treatment,” said one of the protesters accompanying her.

The victim’s mother alleged that she was beaten up by the policemen after she, along with her husband and other protesters, tried to march towards Nabanna (state secretariat).

The Nabanna Avijan (march to the state secretariat) on the anniversary of the RG Kar rape and murder incident on Saturday turned violent as police resorted to a massive baton-charge to disperse the protesters and allegedly beat up the victim’s parents.

The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who was also allegedly beaten by the police, has rushed to a private hospital to enquire about the health conditions of the victim’s mother.

The victim’s mother and the BJP leaders have alleged that in the police action, the sacred shell-bangle on her wrist, traditionally believed to be the symbolic representation of married Hindu women, was broken.

The victim’s mother alleged that she was beaten up by the police.

“We were unarmed. Still, the police stopped us. Why are they scared of us? The police had beaten me up and broken my Sankha-Pola. They threw me on the road and kicked me,” said the victim’s mother.

Accompanied by the BJP legislators, including Adhikari, the victim’s parents took out a march from Dorina Crossing towards Nabanna, located at Mandirtala in Kolkata-adjacent Howrah district, demanding justice for their daughter.

However, the huge police contingent deputed there stopped the march at the Park Street – Jawaharlal Nehru Road crossing. As BJP workers tried to break the barricades, a scuffle broke out between protesters and policemen. Soon, police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the mob.

Following the incident, tension broke out in areas adjacent to Park Street with BJP legislators, and the victim’s parents started a sit-in demonstration at Park Street, protesting against the police attack.

The victim’s father said they were beaten up by the police. “What is our crime? We will go to Nabanna. They cannot stop us,” he said.

On the anniversary of the RG Kar incident, the victim’s parents had called for a Nabanna Avijan. Several organisations responded to their appeal.

All BJP legislators, including Subhendu Adhikari, took part in the protest march today.

As the procession was going towards Nabanna through the Park Street area, the police stopped Adhikari and other BJP MLAs and others.(Agency)

Punjab deploys anti-drone system along Pakistan border

Baaj Akh Yudh Nasheyan Virud CM Mann Bus

Tarn Taran (Punjab), Aug 9, 2025
In a first initiative in India to check supply of drugs from across the international border, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national Convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday jointly flagged off ‘Baaj Akh’, an anti-drone system.

Interacting with the media, Kejriwal said another chapter has been added in the crusade against the drugs. He said previous regimes hobnobbed with drug smugglers due to which this curse flexed its muscles in the state.

However, Kejriwal said now a massive crackdown has been launched against drugs and big fishes involved in this trade have been put behind the bars.

He said drugs have been supplied to Punjab from across the border and to check them this anti-drone system has been launched. He said three anti-drone system have been launched and six others will be launched soon to make Punjab free from this scourge.

Kejriwal said the government has strictly implemented a zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers. He said properties acquired by drug smugglers through the illegal drug trade are being demolished.

The most notorious and feared drug lord has been put behind the bars by an honest government led by Bhagwant Mann. The Chief Minister said under the “War Against Drugs” (Yudh Nasheyan Virud) campaign, Punjab today launched a battle to stop drug smuggling from across the border.

“Punjab shares a 553-km border with Pakistan, which is considered one of the most sensitive zones for the smuggling of narcotics and weapons.”

Mann said that to strengthen border security and tackle the challenges posed by drone-based smuggling, nine anti-drone units are being set up along the international border. The Chief Minister said Rs 51.4 crore is being spent on these units.

He said although “our country’s armed forces and the BSF have already been using such systems, Punjab is the first state in the country to deploy anti-drone systems at the international border”.

He said the anti-drone system will give a strong response to drug smugglers from across the border, adding anti-national elements always use technology for anti-social activities.(Agency)

RG Kar rape & murder: Dilip Ghosh backs victim’s parents’ grievances against CBI

Kolkata, Aug 9, 2025
BJP’s former national vice-president and ex-West Bengal state president Dilip Ghosh on Saturday said the grievances of the parents of the R.G. Kar Medical College rape and murder victim against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were “quite justified.”

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, which is incidentally the first anniversary of the ghastly rape & murder tragedy, Ghosh said that if the victim’s family members do not get justice even after a year since the tragedy, their grievances against the investigative agency are bound to surface.

Ghosh, also a former party Lok Sabha member, even went to the extent of demanding a fresh probe into the matter, which should be court-monitored and by a new investigating team.

“If justice is not delivered in time, the grievances against the investigation agency are bound to surface. I also feel that many important aspects were ignored in the investigation. So I feel there should be a fresh investigation into the matter from the start, and with a completely new team. Those who have already investigated the matter should not be included in the new team,” Ghosh said.

On Friday, the victim’s parents returned to Kolkata from New Delhi after meeting the CDBI director there. After coming back to Kolkata, they told media persons that they had already expressed their dissatisfaction over the nature and progress of the investigation to the central agency chief.

“We have told the CBI director that his agency was an utter failure in the matter of the tragedy with our daughter. Initially, we had faith in CBI. But after one year, the faith has vanished,” the victim’s mother said on Friday.

With Ghosh now echoing their sentiments, the remarks have set off political rumblings in West Bengal, with questions being raised over both the handling of the case and the credibility of the probe.(Agency)

First single ‘Panimalare’ from Dulquer Salmaan’s much-awaited period drama ‘Kaantha’ released

Chennai, Aug 9, 2025
The makers of director Selvamani Selvaraj’s much-anticipated period drama, ‘Kaantha’, featuring actors Dulquer Salmaan and Bhagyashri Borse in the lead, on Saturday released the mellifluous romantic first single ‘Panimalare’ from the film.

Taking to his social media timelines, actor Dulquer Salmaan shared the link to the freshly released first single and wrote, “A love that echoes through time. Our first single is OUT NOW! #PANIMALARE #PASIMANASE. Groove along to this captivating rhythm with us, as we paint the town red with our first single of @kaanthafilm. Know their story on September 12th in theatres worldwide.A @thespiritmedia and @dqswayfarerfilms production.”

The retro style melodious number, which has been picturised on Dulquer and Bhagyashri, has been set to tune by Jhanu Chanthar and Sivam. It has lyrics by Kutti Revathi, with additional lyrics having been penned by Sivam and Deepika Karthik Kumar. The song has been rendered by Pradeep Kumar and Priyanka NK.

The film has triggered a lot of interest in audiences and fans, especially after the makers released a teaser recently.

The teaser that was released recently begins with an announcer stating that ‘Saantha’, the film being made by Modern Studios, will be Tamil cinema’s first horror film. Ayya (Samuthirakani) is the writer and director of this film and Dulquer Salmaan is the hero of the film. It is evident that both the director and the hero of the film are now at loggerheads with one another and are no longer on talking terms.

While Ayya wants a scene in which a character called Chandran gets scared after seeing a spirit called Neeli to be shot first, Dulquer wants some other pleasant scene to be shot first.

The hero and the director are bitter enemies only now but there was a time when both of them loved and respected each other before turning foes. The teaser shows that Ayya is the one who trained and made Dulquer the hero he is today. However, all that is a thing of the past. While Ayya seeks to make the heroine the central character of the film, Dulquer continues to make changes. In the end, the teaser shows Dulquer changing the title of the film from ‘Saantha’ to ‘Kaantha’.

The makers have also made it clear that the film will hit screens on September 12 this year.

A gripping period dramatic thriller set in 1950s Madras, ‘Kaantha’ will look to transport the viewers to the soul of that era. It captures a moment in time when tradition and modernity collided, giving rise to stories both personal and profound.

Sources close to the unit say that the film, which has been anchored by powerful performances, is a richly textured story and has stunning visuals.

The film, which is being jointly produced by Spirit Media and Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, has cinematography by ace cameraman Dani Sanchez Lopaz and music by Jhanu Chanthar. Art direction for the film is by Tha. Ramalingam and editing is by Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalves.(Agency)

Kevin Bacon, wife Kyra Sedgwick jump in on new TikTok trend

Los Angeles, Aug 9, 2025
Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon and his wife Kyra Sedgwick are jumping on the latest social media bandwagon. The couple threw a fit as they joined in on the ongoing TikTok trend.

The trend demands users to show off their stylish or comical outfits. In the TikTok video, Bacon, 67, is seen walking through an airport with a suitcase, reports ‘People’ magazine.

with the words, “Sorry I was late, Kyra was throwing a fit,” on screen. In the next clip, Sedgwick, 59, sports a grey Henley T-shirt paired with vibrant straight leg pants adorned in photos of Bacon in his breakout role as Ren McCormack in Footloose. “A fit was thrown today…@kyrasedgewickofficial,” he wrote in the caption.

TikTok users in the comments couldn’t get enough of the Footloose pants. “I hope this generation learns how amazing 80s movies truly are. If they don’t, they are missing out”, one user wrote. Another chimed in, “I need a pair to go with my vintage Footloose shirt!! love those pants!! Love you Kyra and Kevin”.

As per ‘People’, Others made references to some of Sedgwick’s own iconic roles. “Kyra threw lots of fits in The Closer”, one user wrote, in reference to the hit crime drama in which the actress starred from 2005 to 2012.

The two regularly share dancing videos on their personal TikTok pages, along with glimpses into their family life. Bacon, who turned 67 on July 8, posted a video of himself and his wife of 36 years dancing outdoors to a remix of The La’s 1988 single, “There She Goes,” on Instagram in celebration of the big day.

“A little birthday shimmy”, Bacon captioned the clip at the time. Sedgwick will soon celebrate turning 60 in August.(Agency)

Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Anupama Parameswaran’s horror thriller ‘Kishkindhapuri’ to hit screens worldwide on September 12

Chennai, August 9, 2025
The makers of director Koushik Pegallapati’s much-awaited horror-thriller ‘Kishkindhapuri’, featuring Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead, on Saturday announced that the film would hit screens worldwide on September 12 this year.

Taking to its X timeline, Shine Screens, the production house producing the film, wrote, “Mystery, thrills, and fear.Get ready for a world that will keep you on the edge of your seats.#Kishkindhapuri GRAND RELEASE WORLDWIDE ON SEPTEMBER 12th.”

Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner and presented by Archana, the film has been written and directed by Koushik Pegallapati.

Sources close to the unit of the film have disclosed that ‘Kishkindhapuri’ had been set in a uniquely crafted world and that it would be a gripping horror-mystery experience.

The film’s first glimpse, which was released in April this year, offered a frightening introduction to its horror-laced setting. It opened with Bellamkonda Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran forcefully entering a haunted house—unknowingly inviting supernatural forces.

“Some doors are not meant to be opened,” the teaser hinted, as one saw eerie voices echo through a place long forgotten. The suspenseful preview culminated in a terrifying moment, with Bellamkonda Sreenivas declaring “Aham Mrityu” (I am death), as his eyes turned hauntingly pale.

From a technical standpoint, the glimpse was visually compelling. Director Koushik Pegallapati’s gripping storytelling was matched by Chinmay Salaskar’s spectacular cinematography and Sam CS’s haunting musical score. Needless to say, the film has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs.

The film’s detailed world-building is backed by an experienced crew. Manisha A Dutt has led the production design, with D Siva Kamesh as the art director. Niranjan Devaramane has handled the editing while G Kanishka has served as the Creative Head. Darahas Palakollu has contributed as a co-writer and K. Bala Ganesh as a script associate.(Agency)

NZ register their biggest win in Tests after thrashing Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs

Bulawayo, Aug 9, 2025
New Zealand have registered their biggest ever Test victory after crushing Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs to complete a 2-0 series sweep at the Queens Sports Club here on Saturday. The huge loss is also Zimbabwe’s heaviest defeat in the longer format.

After New Zealand declared their first innings on 601/3 in 130 overs at the start of the third day’s play, debutant pacer Zakary Foulkes picked a five-wicket haul and now holds the record for the best figures by a New Zealand bowler on Test debut.

Senior seamer Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, and Matt Fisher were all among the wickets to bowl out Zimbabwe for 117 in their second innings. Henry, who will now join Welsh Fire for a stint at The Hundred, capped off a brilliant series with 16 wickets.

For Zimbabwe, Nick Welch offered lone resistance by remaining unbeaten on 47 after coming in during the first over of their second innings and had to single-handedly do the scoring, even as he watched wickets tumble around him.

Brian Bennett was out in the first over, as Henry castled him with an inswinger, while an outswinger dismissed Brendan Taylor from the pacer. Sean Williams got a leading edge off Duffy, who completed a simple caught and bowled dismissal, while Craig Ervine nicked off in the cordon off Fisher.

All-rounder Sikandar Raza was troubled by the short ball once again and gave a catch to gully off Foulkes. What also didn’t help Zimbabwe’s cause was that none of the lower-order batters got into double figures.

Duffy thought he had sealed the win early for New Zealand, but was denied due to a no-ball called after he overstepped at the crease. The end, though, came swiftly afterwards, as Duffy had Tanaka Chivanga caught at gully to seal a solid win for New Zealand.

The emphatic result in the Test match also marked the completion of a successful tour for the Mitchell Santner-led Black Caps, who also won the preceding T20I Tri-series, with South Africa coming in as the third team.

Brief scores:

Zimbabwe 125 and 117 in 28.1 overs (Nick Welch 47, Craig Ervine 17; Zakary Foulkes 5-37, Matt Henry 2-16) lost to New Zealand 601/3 dec in 130 overs (Rachin Ravindra 165 not out, Devon Conway 153, Henry Nicholls 150 not out; Blessing Muzarabani 1-101) by an innings and 359 runs.(Agency)

Uttarkashi cloudburst is natural calamity, not a communal issue: Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi

Bareilly, Aug 9, 2025
Slamming Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hasan for his controversial remarks on the Uttarkashi cloudburst, All India Muslim Jamaat National President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi on Saturday said the incident was a natural disaster and should not be given a Hindu-Muslim angle.

Speaking to IANS, Maulana Razvi Barelvi said, “Whatever happened in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi is a calamity, a natural disaster. Such incidents, unfortunately, occur from time to time. To link them to any religion is completely wrong. What S.T. Hasan has said is nothing but foolishness.”

He emphasisd that people should focus on compassion and unity during such tragic events rather than creating communal narratives.

“We should pray that such tragedies do not occur again. We must pray for the safety and well-being of everyone affected. Giving it a Hindu-Muslim angle, as S.T. Hasan has done, claiming it happened because minorities are discriminated against in the region, is absolutely wrong. No responsible person will support such a view,” he said.

The Maulana further added, “Natural calamities do not discriminate. No one knows where or when disaster will strike. Giving it a religious interpretation only deepens divisions and distracts from the real issues. This is not the time to divide but to stand united as a nation.”

His remarks come in response to S.T. Hasan, a former Samajwadi Party MP, who stirred controversy by suggesting that the cloudburst in Uttarkashi was somehow connected to religious discrimination.

Hasan had said, “We don’t know how many people are still trapped under the debris. It’s heart-wrenching. A whole village has been washed away. Earlier, it didn’t rain like this. Why are such tragedies happening? We need to reflect. We’ve cut down too many trees.”

He went on to say, “In Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, other religions are not being respected. Bulldozers should not be used on dargahs or temples. It’s better to evacuate such places peacefully.”(Agency)

Priyanka Chopra Jonas says hurling expletives at Anurag Basu for bizarre workshop was ‘liberating’

Mumbai, Aug 9, 2025
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who was recently seen in the streaming movie ‘Heads of State’, has recollected the interesting journey behind her casting for one of her most heartfelt works, Jhilmil from ‘Barfi’.

On Saturday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a video, showing different scenes from ‘Barfi’. She penned a long note in the caption, as she shared she almost lost out on the role as director Anurag Basu couldn’t picture her as an autistic girl as he saw a decked up version of the actress, who was “dressed to the nines”.

She wrote, “In Jan 2009, while filming ‘Anjaana Anjaani’ in New York with Ranbir Kapoor, he mentioned his next, Barfi! With Anurag Basu, a filmmaker I admired. So when Sir offered me Jhilmil, I was thrilled. We met at my Mumbai home, I’d just returned from an event, dressed to the nines. He took one look and said he couldn’t imagine me as Jhilmil. I understood, I didn’t want to mess it up either. We agreed to workshop for 5 days”.

She went on to share liberating experience during the workshop when she had to hurl Hindi expletives at the director, as she shared, “We immersed ourselves in research, reading, watching videos, meeting children on the autism spectrum, and doing exercises in his Aram Nagar office. One day, he asked me to hurl vile Hindi expletives at him. Mortified, I still tried, it was hilarious, liberating, and pulled me out of my comfort zone. After more “Basu-style” drills, Jhilmil was born. Most Barfi–Jhilmil scenes were improvised”.

She further mentioned, “Sir shared an idea, and we ran with it. This was also one of the last times my Dad visited me on set. Barfi! remains one of my most treasured films – for the creativity, the crew, and the joy of shared challenges. Ravi Varman’s cinematography was pure poetry. Gorgeous Ileana D’Cruz brought such grace to Shruti, Ranbir shone like the star he is, and Anurag Sir, brilliant, gentle, playful. His storytelling is magic”.

“We shot over two years with breaks, unsure if audiences would embrace it. They did beyond our dreams. The love for Jhilmil has stayed with me ever since. On this nostalgic Saturday, I felt like sharing. What are you reminiscing about these days?”, she added.

‘Barfi’, which was Anurag’s love letter to cinema, was also sent as India’s official entry for the Oscars. However, the film couldn’t make it to the Oscar shortlisting.(Agency)

Heard of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ but not ‘Laapataa Vice President’: Sibal on ‘incommunicado’ Dhankhar

New Delhi, Aug 9, 2025
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday expressed concern over the well-being of the “incommunicado” former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, saying he has heard of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ but never heard of ‘Laapataa Vice President’.

Addressing mediapersons, Sibal sought clarification from Home Minister Amit Shah on Dhankhar’s whereabouts since his resignation from the constitutional post, adding that “I hope the government has not, in any form, placed an impediment”.

“He resigned on July 21, and we are today on August 9, and since that day, we don’t know where he is,” Sibal told reporters.

“He is not in his official residence. On the first day I tried to contact him, and somebody picked up the phone. I was told he was resting and he would get back to me. Thereafter, several colleagues and I have tried to contact him for days, but we can’t get through,” he said.

“I have heard of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ but never heard of ‘Laapataa Vice President’,” said Sibal, expressing surprise over the lack of communication with the former Rajya Sabha Chairman, in a veiled reference to a Bollywood film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ in which two young brides go missing before being rescued by police.

Sibal described Dhankhar’s resignation as “unfortunate” and said it seems the time has come for the Opposition to support him. “Obviously, he is in some difficulty which we are not aware of. I hope he is well, and if he is not in his official residence, we should know where he is.”

Sibal said he has a very close relationship with Dhankhar, and he is worried.

“I request the Home Minister to issue a public statement and let us know where his residence is, so that we can go and meet him,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP wondered why Dhankhar is incommunicado, asking, “There must be some reason for it”.

Raising a suspicion of some form of government curbs on Dhankhar’s public appearance or dealing, he said, “The election for a new Vice President is in September and there is a long time to go. I hope the government has not, in any form, placed an impediment. I am sure that he is entitled to say his mind and what transpired.”

Unless we know where he is, we will not be able to find out anything, he said.(Agency)

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