Maharashtra: Muslims in Ichalkaranji town of Maharashtra, earned heaps of praises from Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackrey as they celebrated Eid festival by donating a 10-bedded ICU to the local government hospital with the help of money collected through Zakat, the traditional Muslim charity tax. The move as reported, is aimed at contributing to the state’s efforts to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.

Muslims reportedly collected charity worth Rs. 36 lac and donated a 10-bedded, well-equipped ICU to the Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Civil Hospital in the town. The ICU is reportedly now ready to facilitate the fight against the spread of Corona Virus.

Even as Maharashtra is one of the worst hit states by COVID-19 in India, the town of Ichalkaranji has seen comparatively lesser number of cases, but the fear of spike in number of cases looms large. The town according to the 2011 census has a population of 2.88 lac people with 78.32% Hindu population and 15.98% Muslim population among others.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday inaugurated the ICU facility. Applauding the initiative, he said via video conference, “Muslims in Ichalkaranji have shown the way for everyone in the country. Till now, we have controlled the spread of coronavirus with courage and patience. Henceforth, public participation (to fight the pandemic) is necessary. The Muslim community has set an example on how to celebrate a festival.”

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): The AAP launched a scathing attack on the Congress on Thursday, accusing it of colluding with the BJP for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls to harm the prospects of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Rajya Sabha MP of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sanjay Singh alleged at a press conference here that the actions of the Congress are damaging the unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

"We had not said a single word against the Congress during the Haryana election. Yet the Congress seems to be reading out from the BJP's script. Its candidates' list looks as if it was finalised at the BJP office," Singh said.

He accused Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dixit of targeting the AAP, instead of focusing on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Ajay Maken has crossed all limits by calling Arvind Kejriwal anti-national. Despite campaigning for the Congress in past elections, Kejriwal now faces an FIR, while the Congress had never filed a single FIR against any BJP leader," Singh said.

Atishi echoed similar sentiments, claiming that the Congress is actively undermining the AAP.

"It is evident that Congress candidates like Sandeep Dixit and Farhad Suri are receiving support from the BJP. This collusion raises questions about the Congress's commitment to the INDIA alliance," she said.

The AAP demanded disciplinary action against Maken and other Congress leaders within 24 hours and said if no step is taken, it will push for the grand old party's expulsion from the INDIA bloc.

"We will ask the other parties in the alliance to remove the Congress," Singh said.

The Delhi Assembly polls are due in February.