CBI arrests two bank officials for aiding cyber criminals in ‘mule account’ conspiracy

New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) Days after a controversy sparked by Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed’s comments on India’s Test and ODI cricket captain Rohit Sharma, another party leader, Tika Ram Jully, has found himself at the centre of a new uproar over his remarks about actress Madhuri Dixit.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, Jully referred to Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit as a “second-grade actor” and stated that “her prime has gone”. His made these comments during a discussion in the Rajasthan Assembly.

The Congress leader questioned the benefits of the recently held IIFA event for the state and also scrutinised the government’s expenditure.

He slammed the state government for allocating over Rs 100 crore towards the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards event, which was hosted in Jaipur on March 8 and 9. He raised concerns over the lack of major Bollywood stars at the event, questioning the event’s worth for the state.

Reacting to a BJP legislator’s mention of Madhuri Dixit’s presence at the IIFA Awards, Jully reportedly referred to the Bollywood actress as a “Grade II actress”.

“Only Shah Rukh Khan was among the first-grade actors,” he said, referring to the IIFA 2025 guest list.

Jully’s comments came just days after Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed stirred controversy with her remarks about Rohit Sharma.

Mohamed had referred to Rohit as “overweight” and “the most unimpressive captain India has ever had” in a now-deleted post on her X account. “Rohit Sharma is fat for a sportsman! Need to lose weight! And of course, the most unimpressive Captain India has ever had,” she wrote.

In response, the Congress distanced itself from Mohamed’s comments, stating that they did not reflect the party’s stance and requesting her to delete the post.

Now, Jully has embarrassed the party. He not only flayed the Rajasthan government for “spending taxpayer money on an event that, in his view, failed to benefit the state”.

“More than Rs 100 crore given for IIFA event. No major Bollywood stars were present. Some cite Madhuri Dixit’s presence. Madhuri second-grade actor these days… her prime has gone. She was a star in the times of her movies like ‘Dil’ and ‘Beta’,” Jully remarked.

Jully continued: “Which big name from the industry appeared? Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, all others were second-grade stars. No other first-grade actor came.”

As members of the Assembly objected to his remarks, Jully stood by his comments.

“Now, Madhuri Dixit is a second-grade star, her prime has gone. She was a star in the times of her movies like ‘Dil’ and ‘Beta’,” he reiterated.

Later, speaking to the media, Jully sought to clarify his statement, stating: “Except for Shah Rukh Khan, no other big actor attended IIFA. What message do you want to convey by inviting just 5-7 actors? There are categories of actors based on their popularity.”

He added: “The actors who are currently popular did not attend. There is no doubt that Madhuri Dixit is a good actor, but the time when she was at the peak of her popularity has passed.”

–IANS

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Surat, Oct 2 (IANS) On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghvi on Thursday performed Shastra Puja at the Surat Police Headquarters, praying for the peace, security, and safety of the state.

Marking the symbolic celebration of the victory of good over evil, Sanghvi performed rituals alongside police officials, emphasising the role of law enforcement in maintaining harmony during major festivals.

Speaking to the reporters, he highlighted the peaceful and enthusiastic celebration of Navratri across Gujarat this year, crediting the state police for their commendable efforts.

“For the first time, Navratri was celebrated with such enthusiasm across the state, with people playing Garba in pandals till early morning. The state police ensured that the festivities were conducted smoothly and securely,” Sanghvi said.

He further mentioned the success of Operation Sindoor.

“This year’s celebrations were special. Along with devotion, a sense of national pride was evident. The Armed Forces executed Operation Sindoor effectively, which added another layer of meaning to the festivities,” he added.

The minister further remarked on the economic impact of Navratri, noting that small traders and vendors significantly benefited from the extended celebrations.

Commenting on the removal of encroachments on government land in Godhra, Sanghvi likened the land mafia to Ravan, stating that such encroachments would be cleared in the interest of public welfare.

“I wish everyone a happy Dussehra. I prayed for all the people of Gujarat that their wishes may be fulfilled. This Shastra Puja is an old tradition, and this year it felt even more meaningful with the strength and discipline shown under Operation Sindoor,” he said.

Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the culmination of the nine-day Navratri festival. It symbolises the victory of good over evil, commemorating Lord Ram’s triumph over Ravan, and Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. The day is considered auspicious for new beginnings and reinforces values like truth, righteousness, and virtue.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 15 (IANS) On the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, alleging that the ruling party has derailed the ideals envisioned by the nation’s freedom fighters.

In a video address posted on his official X account, Kharge said the present state of affairs has taken the country far from the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, B.R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, and other leaders of the independence movement.

Kharge began by extending greetings to all Indians and recalling the Congress party’s role in the freedom struggle. “The story of India’s independence is the story of our party,” he said, highlighting the efforts made by Congress leaders to lay the foundation of a strong democracy after 1947.

Quoting Independent India’s first PM Nehru, he reiterated the vision of building a “strong, prosperous, and just” India.

However, Kharge said that in the last decade the country has faced “rampant unemployment” and shrinking job opportunities.

He accused the BJP-led government of politicising constitutional institutions by filling them with individuals aligned with the ideology of the RSS.

Enforcement agencies like the ED, Income Tax Department, and CBI, he alleged, are being misused to target opposition leaders, he stressed.

He also criticised the government’s foreign policy, claiming that India has lost its earlier stature as the “voice of the developing countries.”

Switching to the issue of free and fair elections, Kharge cited alleged large-scale irregularities in voter lists under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

He accused the ruling party of deliberately removing votes, shifting electors to other booths, and enrolling outsiders. Referring to the Supreme Court’s recent directive to the Election Commission to publish the voter list, Kharge said it was proof that people’s concerns were valid.

He expressed concern that in some constituencies, despite Congress leading in most assembly segments, BJP secured victory through suspicious margins in one segment.

Similar patterns, he warned, could be seen in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls.

He also announced that Rahul Gandhi will launch a “Vote Adhikar Yatra” from Sasaram, Bihar, on August 17 to mobilise public support. “This is not just about winning elections,” Kharge said. “It is about safeguarding our Constitution and preserving the dreams of our freedom fighters.”

–IANS

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