Ghallughara Diwas: Shutdown partial in Amritsar, exams postponed
Operation Blue Star
of the Army to flush out holed up terrorists from the Golden Temple.
While most marketplaces in Amritsar remained closed until noon, commercial activity resumed gradually in the afternoon, with shopping malls and retail shops operating normally by evening. Police reported no untoward incidents, and the day remained peaceful despite the bandh call.
As a precautionary measure, Guru Nanak Dev University postponed all annual and semester theory examinations scheduled for June 6 across its affiliate colleges, citing administrative reasons. Professor in-charge (examinations), Shalini Bahel, said the affected examinations had been rescheduled for Friday, June 20, and will be held at the same time and venues as assigned originally.
MSID:: 121678250 413 |
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Eid wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor and Chenab Bridge to feature on Independence Day invites
Independence Day invites from the Ministry of Defence for this year's Independence Day celebrations will have Operation Sindoor as the central theme, an official said on Monday (August 4, 2025). In another change, the Central Vista image embossed on the cards will be replaced by a sketch of the world's highest railway bridge that spans the Chenab river, which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Posters and banners around the venue will also mention Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. Security briefing A high level meeting was held at the Red Fort regarding the Independence Day celebrations. Security agencies have recommended bulletproof glass around the Prime Minister's dais, but the final decision is yet to be taken. This year more guests will be invited to attend the celebration. To accommodate them, more tiered seating structures have been prepared. 'Installation of anti-drone measures, a radar near the Red Fort, and the threat posed by unmanned devices were discussed in detail with the Army. The Ministry of Defence will be deploying an anti-drone system to prevent any aerial breach, and the Indian Air Force will be on high alert. Drones are among our key security concerns. We have also instructed vendors responsible for installing CCTVs around the venue not to use any Chinese equipment for surveillance purposes,' said an official.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Marching in the name of legacy: Sikh regiment debate rekindled in Britain
1 2 3 4 5 6 The debate over whether there should be a Sikh regiment in the British Armed Forces has resurfaced, but the UK ministry of defence (MOD) insists there are no such plans. The debate was triggered after Lord Sahota asked British defence minister Lord Coaker in the House of Lords on July 7 whether there was any progress of having a Sikh regiment in the British Army, given the loyalty of Sikh soldiers in both world wars. Coaker replied: "Let me consider that request from my noble friend. I am quite happy to meet him to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs." This led to UK headlines such as 'Minister open to British Army Sikh regiment proposal'. Lord Sahota is the title given to British-Sikh Kuldip Singh Sahota, a member of the House of Lords. Contrary to the headlines, MOD sources told TOI that over the years there had been conversations about this, but such a move would breach Britain's anti-discriminatory laws. "There are no current plans for a Sikh regiment as it goes against the Equality Act. We want to do something to recognise Sikh contributions in some way, but not through a Sikh regiment," said sources. Lord Sahota, whose grandfathers served in the British Indian Army, including the 15th Punjab Regiment, told TOI: "I don't think it would go against the Equality Act." He pointed out the British Army had the Staffordshire regiment and currently has the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Royal Welsh and Royal Regiment of Scotland and so on. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo "It doesn't mean other faiths like Hindus, Muslim or Christians wouldn't be able to serve in a Sikh regiment. If you are in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it doesn't mean you have to be Scottish." Lord Sahota said the regiment would give Sikhs a reason to join. "We are struggling to recruit ethnic minorities in this country," he said. "They would wear turbans and have beards, and it would reflect Sikh heritage and values. It would foster a better relationship with other countries such as India and South Asia as well." There are estimated to be only 200 Sikhs in the British Armed Forces. "People tend to go in the army if their grandfather was in it. Sikhs don't have that role model here," Sahota said. Sahota added that if there was a Punjab or Sikh regiment, they would have that role model. "There are more than 700,000 Sikhs in the UK. I am sure quite a few would be prepared to follow in their great grandfather's footsteps. King Charles even told a Sikh soldier he wanted to see more Sikhs in the British Army," the Labour life peer added. India-born Sahota (74) said he plans to meet Lord Coaker after the summer recess and will take Sikhs in the British Army and MPs with him. Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Kaur Gill, who has met the armed forces minister many times, to raise the issue, said no decision had been made yet. "It is being looked at. There have been existing Sikh regiments in the army. It's not anything new," she added. The Indian Army has a Sikh Regiment which continues to recruit from the community and a Punjab Regiment. The regiment is one of the most decorated and traces its origins to the first Sikh Battalion raised by the East India Company in 1846. But veteran army reservist Captain Jay Singh-Sohal OBE is against the idea. "Even if they did this, they wouldn't fill out a regiment with recruits. We struggle with getting young Sikhs into the military as it is. A Sikh regiment isn't going to change this and would become massively understaffed. A single-battalion regiment requires 700 plus. A Sikh regiment will fail as it won't get 700 plus young Sikhs joining. And if the answer is to look beyond Sikhs, what's the point of a race-specific regiment?" he said. "These British-Sikh politicians need to make the argument for the benefit of Sikh-specific regiments in the context of the threats we face today," Sohal added. "It's not about harking to past glories, but about practical ways in which Sikhs today can make an impact through military service. I believe Sikhs do make an impact as we serve alongside those who represent Great Britain as a whole," Johal said. He said the Sikh identity was already recognised as a strength in the British Army and protected by UK law. "We don't need special treatment. We already practice our faith in the army. A modern army is about bringing capabilities and insights from different walks of life and backgrounds to create a synergy into a whole team setting. Sikhs can contribute a lot to that. Having a Sikh-specific regiment won't motivate more youngsters to join. What would, is if they see value in soldiering or developing themselves as a leader through military experience. I challenge Preet Gill and Lord Sahota to find me 20 Sikhs willing to sign up to the British Army right now, regardless of whether we have a Sikh regiment or not. They won't be able to do it," Sohal added. Slough MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chair of the defence committee that scrutinises the work of the MOD, said he had supported the establishment of a British Sikh regiment for several years, given the extraordinary history, martial traditions and sacrifices of Sikh soldiers, especially during both world wars. "While the campaign has not achieved success thus far, we will certainly continue to make the case," he added.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
'Govt denies, distracts, lies': Congress slams Centre after SC raps Rahul
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday launched a sharp criticism of the Centre over its handling of the border situation with China. He accused the Modi government of following what he called a 'DDLJ' policy, an acronym for 'deny, distract, lie, and justify'. In a post on X, Ramesh said the Centre has been evading tough questions about the ongoing standoff with China, especially since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. 'Since June 15, 2020, when our 20 brave soldiers were martyred in Galwan, several critical questions have been arising in the minds of every patriotic Indian. However, over the past five years, instead of answering these questions, the Modi government has adopted a policy of hiding and deflecting the truth — which we can call DDLJ: Deny, Distract, Lie, and Justify,' he wrote. Ramesh's remarks came just hours after the Supreme Court pulled up Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his earlier claim that China had occupied over 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory. 15 जून 2020 को गलवान में जब हमारे 20 बहादुर सैनिक शहीद हुए, तभी से हर देशभक्त भारतीय के मन में कुछ जरूरी सवाल उठ रहे हैं। लेकिन बीते पाँच वर्षों में मोदी सरकार ने इन सवालों के जवाब देने के बजाय सच्चाई को छुपाने और भटकाने की नीति अपनाई है- जिसे हम DDLJ कह सकते हैं: Deny (इनकार),… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 4, 2025 Referring to the disengagement deal signed between India and China on October 21, 2024, Ramesh questioned whether the agreement truly restored the pre-April 2020 status quo, as claimed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. He also sought clarity on whether Indian patrols now needed China's permission to access Patrolling Points that Indian forces had always accessed as part of India's territory. Ramesh cited earlier reports from 2020 that claimed about 1,000 square kilometres in eastern Ladakh, including 900 square kilometres in the Depsang area, had come under Chinese control. He demanded accountability from the government on this matter. Criticism over ties with China amid Op Sindoor Intensifying his attack, Ramesh questioned India's continuing diplomatic engagement with China despite reports of Beijing supporting Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. 'Is it not true that the Modi government is attempting to 'normalise relations' with a country that played a significant role in Pakistan's military actions during Operation Sindoor — providing Pakistan with weapon systems like J-10C fighter jets and PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and, as stated by Deputy Army Chief Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh on July 4, 2025, also providing 'live inputs' for Indian military operations?" he said in his post. SC criticises Rahul Gandhi for China comment While hearing a defamation case against the Congress MP, the court also granted interim relief by staying proceedings related to his remarks on the Indian Army during the 2020 Galwan clash. 'If you are a true Indian, you will not say these things,' the court told Gandhi, adding, 'Say things in Parliament, not on social media.' The Bench, comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and G Masih, reminded Gandhi of his constitutional responsibility as Leader of the Opposition. China issue evades media spotlight The case stems from comments Gandhi made in December 2022 during his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. Speaking at a press conference, he had said, 'Before I came to this press conference, I was having lunch with my friend and said I can bet that the media will not ask any question about China. They will ask about yatra, Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot, everything but not China who captured 2,000 square km area of India, who martyred 20 jawans, who is thrashing our jawans in Arunachal. But the Indian press will not ask anything about this on me. Brother, desh dekh rahe hai. Don't think the country is not seeing.' (With agency inputs)
