Uttar Pradesh: BJP, VHP seek removal of Padma Bhushan awardee Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa statue
Moradabad: A protest led by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) took place in Moradabad on Tuesday, demanding the removal of a statue of Padma Bhushan awardee Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa, a renowned tabla player.
The statue, which was recently installed at a prominent crossing in the city, was covered with black polythene by the protesters who also blocked the Moradabad-Haridwar highway for an hour.
The statue is located at Subhash crossing on Kanth Road, near the Akbar Fortress. The road leading to the statue was also recently renamed in Thirakwa's honor. The protesters, joined by several local residents, raised slogans against the Moradabad Municipal Corporation and warned of further agitation unless the statue is removed and replaced with one of Subhash Chandra Bose, as reported by The Indian Express.
Jaidev Yadav, a local VHP leader, emphasised the seriousness of the issue, vowing that the agitation would continue till the statue is replaced with that of Subash Chandra Bose. Protesters also voiced slogans against the Moradabad Mayor Vinod Agarwal, calling for a change in the name of the Moradabad Municipal Corporation.
Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa, who passed away in 1976 at the age of 84, was a skilled percussionist known for his mastery over multiple instruments.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
