Eid celebrated in Jammu region amid tight security
Jammu (PTI): Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and traditional gaiety across the Jammu region on Monday amid tight security arrangements, with a large number of people gathering at different eidgahs to pray for peace.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the period of fasting, prayer and charity during the holy month of Ramzan, culminating in an occasion for festivities, joy and togetherness.
On the eve of Eid, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah greeted the people on the Union Territory.
On Monday, the largest congregation was held at the eidgah on Residency Road in Jammu, followed by the Mecca Masjid and the Jama Masjid Khatikan Talab, where hundreds of Muslims offered Eid prayers in the morning.
Muftis and religious scholars spoke about the significance of the day, explaining the philosophy behind the customary sacrifice.
"I want to extend my wishes to everyone on Eid, the festival of happiness. There's a tradition in Jammu where people come together during religious functions," Mufti Anayat Tullah, head priest of the Jama Masjid in Jammu, said.
Emphasising the love and brotherhood among various communities in Jammu, he said, "I hope this bond of love continues. I want to appeal to everyone -- do not fall into the trap of those spreading hate."
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
