Jan 13 News Live:No change in leadership, says Karnataka CM after meeting Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi takes part in Pongal event in TN, participates in dance

Six Bengaluru dental college faculty suspended after student suicide

Six faculty members of Oxford Dental College in Bengaluru have been suspended following the suicide of a 23-year-old third-year dental student, Yashaswini, allegedly after harassment by the college management. The student reportedly took her life after being publicly humiliated for missing a seminar due to eye pain. Her family alleged repeated verbal abuse, including derogatory remarks about her skin colour and clothing, and claimed she was denied academic opportunities, causing severe mental distress. The suspended staff members belong to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. Police have registered a case and are investigating, as students staged protests demanding strict action. Read the full story here

SC warns states of heavy compensation for dog bites, deaths

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 13) warned that it may impose heavy compensation on states for every dog bite and death if authorities fail to address the stray dog menace. Hearing the matter, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria said dog bite effects are lifelong and liability could also be fixed on those feeding stray dogs. The court stressed it only seeks enforcement of existing statutory provisions and wants to examine whether the Centre and states have concrete action plans. It also flagged public health and ecological risks posed by stray dogs carrying viruses. Read the full story here

India asks Canada to back Nijjar allegations with evidence

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has challenged Ottawa to produce concrete evidence to support its allegation that New Delhi was involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Speaking to CBC, Patnaik said repeated claims of “credible information” were insufficient without proof. He noted that the ongoing Canadian case names four individuals, not the Indian state. Patnaik reiterated that India would act if evidence is shared. He also said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s expected visit to India signals improving ties after the recent diplomatic strain. Read the full story here

Rahul Gandhi backs Vijay over Jana Nayagan delay; slams Modi

At a time when speculation is rife on whether the Congress is trying to woo TVK chief Vijay for a possible alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, senior party leader Rahul Gandhi has come out in support of Vijay much-touted “final film” Jana Nayagan, whose release had to be delayed because of a CBFC certification issue.

“The I&B Ministry’s attempt to block ‘Jana Nayagan’ is an attack on Tamil culture. Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha tweeted on Tuesday (January 13).

Read the full story here

Expelled Congress MLA Mamkootathil sent to police custody for 3 days in sexual assault case

A court in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta has granted custody of expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to the police for three days in a sexual assault case.

A first class judicial magistrate in Thiruvalla granted the MLA’s custody to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the cases of sexual assault against him on Tuesday (January 13).

Read the full story here

Govt dismisses claims of India suspending trade with Afghanistan

The government on Tuesday (January 13) dismissed claims by some Pakistani social media accounts that India has suspended trade operations with Afghanistan due to unrest in Iran, saying the reports were completely false.

It said that a fabricated letter is being circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts on the matter. Iran is witnessing widespread nationwide protests.

"A fabricated letter is being circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts, falsely claiming that India has temporarily suspended trade operations with #Afghanistan due to escalating unrest in Iran," PIB Fact Check said in a social media post.

In 2024-25, India's exports to Afghanistan stood at USD 318.91 million, while imports were aggregated at USD 689.81 million.

Canadian police arrest suspect in $20m gold heist; another at large in India

Mosques, madrassas in Kashmir are being profiled after busting of 'white collar' terror module

Authorities have started a process of profiling mosques, madrassas and persons associated with the management of these religious institutions in Kashmir following the busting of the 'white collar' terror module last year, officials said.

A proforma has been given to village numberdars (village-level revenue department employees) for getting the details of mosques, madrassas, imams (prayer leaders), teachers and management committee members of these institutions, the officials said.

The focus of the enumeration drive is on the finances of mosques and madrassas, including the source of funds used for construction and meeting the day-to-day expenses, they said.

The officials said that besides the usual details, the teachers of madrassas and imams are also expected to provide details of their Aadhar card, bank account, property ownership, social media handles, passport, ATM card, ration card, driving licence, SIM cards and mobile phone model along with the IMEI number.

The proforma also seeks details about the Muslim sect, Barelvi, Deobandi, Hanafi or Ahle Hadeeth, the mosque or the madrassa is following.

The imams, teachers and management committee members have also been asked to provide details of any past involvement in terrorist or subversive activities, including details about any pending cases or convictions by a court of law.

Kerala BJP extends support to renaming state as ‘Keralam’; sends letter to PM, CM

The Kerala unit of the BJP has extended support to the LDF government's move to rename the state as "Keralam" and sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for the same.

State unit chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar sent letters to the PM and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, making the party's stand clear in the matter.

The renaming would help to curb the attempts of extremist forces that are raising demands for the division of the state into separate districts on the basis of religion, he said.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Chandrasekhar pointed out that the state Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution to change the name of the state in official records from "Kerala" to "Keralam".

Stating that the BJP's ideology is grounded in protecting and respecting linguistic culture and traditions, he said the party has always seen the state as "Keralam" with thousands of years of tradition, heritage and culture that it represents.

Rajeev, in the letter, expressed hope that with the renaming of the state, all political parties will work together to revive and preserve the state's rich traditional heritage and also work to create a "Vikasita, Surakshita Keralam" where the faith and tradition of all people cutting across their religion is protected and respected.