Punjab

Giani Harpreet Singh Declines Consideration for Shiromani Akali Dal President Post

Giani Harpreet Singh Declines Consideration for Shiromani Akali Dal President Post

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, has respectfully declined to be considered for the post of Shiromani Akali Dal president, ahead of the party’s internal election scheduled for August 11. In a public appeal, he requested that his name be withdrawn from the list of candidates, emphasizing his respect for fellow nominee Bibi Satwant Kaur. In his statement, Giani Harpreet Singh said he had learned that both his name and that of Bibi Satwant Kaur — daughter of the late Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh Ji — were being discussed for the leadership role.…
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Women’s Commission Takes Suo Moto Against Karan Aujla and Yo Yo Honey Singh Over Misogynistic Lyrics

Women’s Commission Takes Suo Moto Against Karan Aujla and Yo Yo Honey Singh Over Misogynistic Lyrics

Chandigarh: The Punjab State Women Commission has taken strong suo motu action against two popular Punjabi singers, citing objectionable lyrics that allegedly degrade and insult women. The Commission, acting under its authority granted by Section 12 of the Punjab State Women Commission Act, 2001, has formally raised concerns about the language used in two widely circulated songs, “MF GABRU” by Karan Aujla and “MILLIONAIRE” by Yo Yo Honey Singh. According to the Commission, both songs, which are currently trending on social media, contain expressions that promote harmful stereotypes and disrespect towards women. The Commission views such content as a serious…
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Punjab’s Land Pooling Policy Temporarily Halted by High Court

Punjab’s Land Pooling Policy Temporarily Halted by High Court

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued an interim stay on the state’s contentious Land Pooling Policy, delaying its implementation until the next hearing, which is scheduled for August 7. The order was passed in response to a petition filed by Advocate Gurdeep Singh Fagla, representing a group of farmers and landowners. The petition contends that the state government’s policy is arbitrary and infringes upon the rights guaranteed under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. This ruling has now heightened attention on the upcoming court session, which is expected to play a decisive role in determining the…
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Akal Takht Sahib Announces Religious Punishment For Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains Over Religious Sentiment Controversy

Akal Takht Sahib Announces Religious Punishment For Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains Over Religious Sentiment Controversy

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Tuesday to express regret over the recent controversy surrounding a government-organized event in Srinagar commemorating the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The controversy stemmed from cultural performances, including Bhangra, that took place during the tribute event. The presence of folk music and dance in a program meant to honour the Sikh Guru drew widespread criticism from Sikh bodies and religious scholars for undermining the solemnity of the occasion. Minister Bains acknowledged his lapse in judgment and admitted that he was present when…
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Haryana CM Saini Calls Water Talks with Punjab Positive, Vows Strong Stand in Supreme Court

Haryana CM Saini Calls Water Talks with Punjab Positive, Vows Strong Stand in Supreme Court

Chandigarh, August 5 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said Tuesday that the ongoing talks with Punjab on water sharing have taken a constructive turn, with both states engaging in dialogue marked by cooperation and goodwill.Speaking to the media after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi, Saini described the atmosphere of the talks as more optimistic than ever. “Today marked a significant breakthrough. The discussion moved forward in a very positive and solution-focused manner,” he said.He pointed out that the meeting held on July 9 had already signaled a shift toward…
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Himachal Rain Tragedy: Four Dead; Fresh Heavy Rain Alert for Himachal and Punjab

Himachal Rain Tragedy: Four Dead; Fresh Heavy Rain Alert for Himachal and Punjab

Shimla/Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Monsoon fury continues to grip the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, claiming four lives in a rain-related accident. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued fresh warnings of heavy to very heavy rainfall for parts of Himachal and Punjab over the next two days. An orange alert has been declared for Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, and Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh for August 5, signaling the risk of intense rain, landslides, and traffic disruptions. Yellow alerts have also been issued for Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan districts, where moderate to heavy showers are expected. In Punjab, while several areas…
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Punjab Vigilance Conducts Raid at Ranjit Singh Gill’s Home After BJP Switch

Punjab Vigilance Conducts Raid at Ranjit Singh Gill’s Home After BJP Switch

National times bureau:- The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Saturday (August 2, 2025) raided the premises of former Akali leader and prominent realtor Ranjit Singh Gill in Chandigarh, sources said. The action came just a day after Mr. Gill joined the BJP. Mr. Gill was inducted into the BJP by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at his official residence here on Friday evening. VB sleuths raided Mr. Gill's residence in Chandigarh. However, there is no official word on the raid operation yet.Mr. Gill had recently resigned from the primary membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He was once…
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Punjab Launches India’s First Evidence-Based Anti-Drug Curriculum for Schools

Punjab Launches India’s First Evidence-Based Anti-Drug Curriculum for Schools

Chandigarh (National Times): In a landmark step against drug abuse, Punjab has become the first state in India to introduce an evidence-based anti-drug curriculum for school students. The initiative, part of the third phase of the state’s “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign, will be formally launched on August 1 in Arniwala, Fazilka, by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that the programme will cover 8 lakh students from Classes 9 to 12 across 3,658 schools, with more than 6,500 specially trained teachers delivering the sessions.…
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Amritsar Rural Police Bust Major ISI-Backed Smuggling Network; Weapons, Drug Money Seized

Amritsar Rural Police Bust Major ISI-Backed Smuggling Network; Weapons, Drug Money Seized

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): In a major operation signaling a decisive blow to trans-border crime, the Amritsar Rural Police, working in close coordination with central intelligence agencies, have successfully unearthed a sophisticated arms and drug money smuggling racket allegedly backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The crackdown has resulted in the arrest of five key individuals suspected of being part of a larger syndicate. Among the high-powered seizures were an AK Saiga .308 assault rifle with two magazines, two Glock 9mm pistols with four magazines, 90 rounds of AK ammunition, 10 live 9mm cartridges, Rs 7.50 lakh in drug money, a…
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Akal Takht Summons Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Over Controversial Srinagar Event, Edu Min Agrees to It

Akal Takht Summons Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Over Controversial Srinagar Event, Edu Min Agrees to It

Amritsar (National Times): In a significant development, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has summoned Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Harjot Singh and the Director of the Language Department, S. Jaswant Singh, over a controversial cultural program organized in Srinagar. The event, held on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, has drawn criticism from the Sikh community for including elements deemed objectionable and disrespectful. The Jathedar took serious note of the complaints received from various quarters of the Sikh Sangat regarding the inclusion of dance, songs, and entertainment…
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