tuesday India summons Bangladesh envoy amid Border fencing row 14 India on Monday summoned Bangladesh’s acting High Commissioner Nural Islam amid row over India’s construction of fencing on the border january, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard Los Angeles wildfire toll surges to 24 The death toll surged to 24 in Los Angeles late Sunday. Though the calmer weather gave wary firefighters a break, more wind has been forecast. Page 9 No violation of protocol, agreement: India A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS l New Delhi l J8.00 l With regard to security measures at the border, the Bangladesh envoy was told India observed all protocols and agreements between the two governments. Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices are meant to secure the border, the Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that the focus is on tackling cross-border criminal activities | P7 PAGES 12 flowing waters and faith: 1.5 cr take holy dip E arly in the morning at the Kumbh, Vedic chants and Ram bhajans can be heard from every direction, as the faithful, towels on shoulders, make their way to the banks of the Ganga for a holy dip. This morning, a light fog sits above the water; by mid-morning, it is all clear as if it were the fog of unreason. As the first light of dawn broke over the Sangam on Monday, a sea of devotees, undeterred by the chilly breeze and cold waters of the Ganga took the holy dip on ‘Paush Purnima’, marking the commencement of Maha Kumbh 2025. More than 1.5 crore pilgrims took the dip on Monday, the UP government said. For octogenarian Bhabani Bhowmik, a retired schoolteacher from Siliguri, the dip was a transformative experience. “I took Ganga ji’s name and when I came out, I felt no chill,” she says. As the day proposal made by U.S. for new curbs on A.I. chip exports The Biden administration on Monday proposed a new framework on exports of advanced computer chips used to develop AI, over security concerns | P9 Sidhu-DKS rift comes to fore amid unity call at CLP meeting unfolds, the rhythms of the Kumbh come alive. Boatman Nandkumar, from a neighbouring district, gazes longingly at the Sangam, hoping to bag a permit to ferry passengers. Brothers Gopal and Amit Mishra, meanwhile, tend to the spiritual needs of the bathers, applying sandalwood mark on their foreheads. In this vast, swirling tapestry of humanity indi, viduals from all walks of life converge, each with their own story of spiritual seeking. Sabra, a Brazilian seeker, says, “I was born into a Catholic family, but did not practice it. For the last year, I’ve been chanting and getting my faith back.” Out of the blue, the bhule bhatkey shivir (lost-andfound camp) where a human being reinforces his faith in another, springs to life. A mother looks for her son, another seeks her ‘Sushila mausi’, and a stranger appeals to an Ashokda to return. As the day wears on, these names are replaced by others. | P8 535 Bottles of Phensedyl, a narcotic drug, were seized from smugglers Omar heaps praise on PM, thanks him for fair polls F aya z W a n i @ Srinagar Devotees at the Ganga in Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh commenced on Monday after a gap of 12 years | PTI | P8 ` sinks further, hits all-time low B e n n K o c h u v e e d a n @ Mumbai THE rupee on Monday logged its steepest single-day decline of 58 paise (0.67%) in nearly two years, closing the session at a historic low of 86.62 to the dollar. The fall is attributed to the stronger American currency, surging crude prices, and the volatility in the equity markets. The last time the Indian currency took such a plunge was on February 6, 2023 when it shed 68 paise. The latest decline also suggests that the Reserve Bank of India’s measures to arrest the Inflation eases to 5.22% in December Retail inflation fell to a 4-month low of 5.22% in December 2024 due to slower growth in food prices in the month compared to the year-ago period. In November 2024, the inflation was at 5.48% rupee fall may not be as effective as they should be. Since March 2024, the banking regulator had sold over $115 billion to prop up the local currency In . October alone, RBI sold a whopping $38 billion. According to traders and currency analysts this newspaper spoke to, the unprecedented fall is due to the high demand for the dollar, which also led to a massive withdrawal of foreign capital from equities. Since October, foreign funds have pulled out close to `2 lakh crore from equities. “The risk averse sentiment across the globe ahead of Donald Trump taking charge as the 47th President of the US and worries over higher inflation can further weigh on the rupee,” said Dilip Parmar, senior currency analyst at HDFC Securities.  Inaugurating the strategic 6.4-km Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he will keep promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, an apparent reference to the demand for the restoration of statehood voiced strongly by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “There is a time for every work. And the right work is going to happen at the right time,” Modi said. In his address, Abdullah, whose National Conference party is a member of the Opposition INDIA bloc, heaped praise on Modi, saying his heart says the PM would soon fulfill the promise of restoring statehood to J&K. Omar’s statement comes days after he wondered if the INDIA bloc should be wound up if it was cobbled together only for the Lok Sabha polls. “My people, my cabinet colleagues and media ask me when will J&K get statehood again. I tell them the PM fulfilled his promise to hold elections in four months and my PM Modi inaugurates strategic 6.4-km Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg | PTI heart says that he would also fulfil his promise to restore J&K statehood,” he said. He also credited Modi for fair elections in J&K. “Not a single polling station needed re-polling. The credit for this goes to you, your associates and Election Commission,” he said. Through these infra projects, the PM kept his promise to bridge ‘Dil ki doori and Delhi ki Doori’ (distance between hearts and Delhi), he added. HC slams AAP for ‘unfortunate’ delay in tabling CAG reports S h e k h a r S i n g h @ New Delhi The Delhi High Court on Monday expressed strong displeasure over the delay by the Delhi government in presenting several Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the Assembly, describing the situation as “unfortunate.” Justice Sachin Datta made these oral remarks while hearing a petition filed by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta and six BJP MLAs. The petition sought directives for the Delhi government and Chief Minister to forward 14 pending CAG reports to the Assembly Speaker and to convene a special session for their discussion. “The manner in which you have dragged your feet raises doubts about your bona fides. You should have promptly forwarded the reports to the Speaker and initiated discussions in the House. The timeline speaks ‘Beyond deadline’ The petitioners said despite a Dec 16, 2024 deadline, the reports had not reached the Speaker by Dec 24 constituting a breach of their commitment to the court volumes about your approach, which is unfortunate,” Justice Datta observed. In the pre-lunch session, the court emphasised the necessity of placing the reports before The manner in which you have dragged your feet raises doubts about your bona fides... The timeline speaks volumes about your approach, which is unfortunate” Justice Sachin Datta the Assembly without delay. Justice Datta also questioned whether a mandamus could be issued to the Speaker to summon a session, especially with elections on the horizon. During the post-lunch session, senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the petitioners, outlined the critical dates and rules concerning the issue. He urged the court to ensure the government fulfills its statutory obligations by forwarding the CAG reports to the Lieutenant-Governor and convening a House session. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the government, accused the BJP of politicising the matter. “They are using the court to play politi- delhi decides AAP MLA in B’desh immigrant row D e v a r a j B H i r e h a l l i @ B’luru The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting convened by Siddaramaiah at a hotel here on Monday to send out an unity message only exposed the differences between the Karnataka CM and his deputy DK Shivakumar’s camps. In his speech, Shivakumar, giving all credit for the Congress office at Belagavi to Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, irked PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, the district minister. Satish went on to the dais and sought a separate appointment with AICC in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday . He took strong exception to Shivakumar’s statement, saying, “It is an insult to us (brothers Satish and Ramesh Jarkiholi) as we initiated the process. Ramesh identified the site and I spent `3 crore from my own pocket,” Satish claimed. He also claimed to have helped Laxmi by backing her son Mrinal Hebbalkar in the 2024 polls. Laxmi, too, went on the dais despite being advised by senior leaders, including DKS. Laxmi said she had managed to get the site at a reasonable price and built the office by pooling in funds. “Should we not get recognition for our efforts?” Earlier, Siddaramaiah had suggested to all legislators that everybody, including himself and DKS, obey the high command’s decisions and maintain discipline, and that the party’s interest is paramount.  The Bangladesh diplomat was summoned a day after Dhaka conveyed to Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma its deep concerns over India’s border security measures  Security forces on Monday arrested five people, including two from Bangladesh, for trying to smuggle goods across the border Will keep promise on J&K statehood: Modi maha kumbh opens Pa r a m i ta Gh o sh @ Prayagraj 5 arrested by BSF for smuggling attempt Before filing my nomination today, I came to seek the blessings of Maa Kali at the Kalkaji Temple. I believe Maa Kalka’s blessings will always remain with me Atishi, Chief Minister AAP MLA Mohinder Goyal appeared before the police after he was issued two notices over his alleged connection with a syndicate of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Bless me, says Atishi, but misses nomination time express news service @ New Delhi lop in seelampur, pm in naraina Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi kicked off the Congress campaign at a rally in Seelampur on Monday; (R) PM Narendra Modi, along with cabinet colleagues, performs a ritual during Lohri celebrations at Naraina village | parveen negi/express 12 villages in Mehrauli back independent Dynastic politics at play this time too Cash, liquor worth `21 cr seized in a week Unhappy with political parties, residents of 12 villages in the Mehrauli constituency have decided to support an independent, Balyogi Balaknath, of Gorakhnath Math. The villages are Lado Sarai, Katwaria Sarai, Ber Sarai, Masoodpur, Rajokri, Mehrauli, Kishangarh, Kusumpur, Motilal Nehru Camp, Saket, Vasant Kunj and Sewa Basti. | P3 Dynastic politics continues to dominate the electoral stage. While BJP has fielded Harish Khurana and Pravesh Verma, sons of former CMs Madan Lal Khurana and Sahib Singh Verma, respectively, Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit, son of three-time CM Sheila Dikshit. It has also fielded Adarsh Shastri, son of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri. | P3 More than `21 crore worth of cash and other items, including liquor, have been seized within a week of the Model Code of Conduct coming into force ahead of the assembly polls, the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer said on Monday. The code of conduct was implemented on January 7, following the announcement of the election schedule. | P4 Chief Minister Atishi on Monday missed the 3 pm deadline to file her nomination papers because she accompanied Arvind Kejriwal to the Election Commission’s office to raise alleged manipulation of voter lists. The AAP leader had planned to file her nomination for the Assembly polls from Kalkaji, but will now be filing the papers on Tuesday . The CM held a roadshow and then proceeded towards the office of the district election officer to file her nomination. However, as the roadshow got delayed and later she went to the Election Commission office to join AAP leaders. Before commencing the rally, she, accompanied by Manish Sisodia, visited Gurudwara Shri Guru Gobind Sahib in Giri Nagar. Earlier in the day she offered prayers at , the Kalkaji temple, dedicated to Maa Kali, seeking blessings for her campaign. “Before filing my nomination, I came to seek the blessings of Maa Kali at the Kalkaji Temple. I believe Maa Kalka’s blessings will always remain with me, the AAP , and people of the Kalkaji constituency she told reporters. ,” She said that she has worked tirelessly in her constituency for the last five years. “The people of Kalkaji are my family they see me as their daugh, ter and sister. I am not just a representative, I am a part of their lives,” she said. Taking a jibe at the BJP she , accused the party of being “anti-poor”. She said BJP is a ‘jhuggi virodhi’ and ‘gareeb virodhi’ party and added that the AAP is committed to uplifting the marginalised communities.  More reports  on page 3, 4 cal games, holding press conferences to gain political mileage while the issue is still sub judice,” Mehra argued. The court scheduled the next hearing for January 16. The petitioners highlighted that despite a December 16, 2024, statement from the government promising to forward the reports within two to three days, the reports had not reached the Speaker by December 24, 2024, constituting a breach of their commitment to the Court. Express read UGC-NET postponed due to festivals: NTA The National Testing Agency on Monday announced that the UGC-NET December 2024 exams, scheduled for January 15, have been postponed due to Pongal and Makar Sankranti festivals. NTA said candidates are advised to visit the NTA website www.nta.ac.in and https://ugcnet.nta.ac.in for updates on the new dates. Have permission to prosecute Jain: CBI The CBI told a Delhi court on Monday that it had obtained necessary sanctions to prosecute AAP leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in a case involving disproportionate assets. The case against Jain is part of a larger probe into allegations of corruption involving public officials. | P4 Won’t cut deployment along LAC: Dwivedi The situation in Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control remains stable but sensitive, with an existing “degree of standoff”, said Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday. He said that no reduction in troop deployment is planned for the winter months, and a review may occur before summer | P7