WEDNESDAY 01 OCTOBER, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard DON, HEGSETH TO END ‘POLITICALLY CORRECT’ LEADERSHIP IN MILITARY PA R T I S A N S TA N D O F F US ON BRINK OF GOVT SHUTDOWN President Donald Trump joined Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in declaring an end to “woke” culture in the US armed forces A standoff over healthcare and spending may trigger the first US government shutdown in over seven years, as lawmakers fail to reach an agreement PROMOTIONS BASED ON RACE, GENDER TO END A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 Hegseth had called military leaders to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, near Washington on Tuesday, without publicly revealing the reason. During his nearly hour-long speech, Hegseth said the US military has promoted too many leaders for wrong reasons based on race and gender. “The era of politically correct leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth said. P9 City tops in crimes against foreigners: ’23 NCRB data MURDER CASES Economic offences in Delhi: 4,580 129 206 CRIME AGAINST FOREIGNERS 238 CASES Across nation JAIPUR BENGALURU DELHI reported the highest number of crimes against foreigners, with 63 out of 238 cases reported nationwide in 2023. The number of murder cases, 503, was also the highest in Delhi among metropolitan cities, followed by Bengaluru with 206 and Jaipur with 129, according to National Crime Records Bureau data. Crimes against foreigners increased by 24 percent, from 192 in 2022 to 238 in 2023. There were 266 foreign victims nationwide. There were 2,546 cases of crimes committed by foreigners, with Kolkata reporting the highest number (1,021) and Delhi reporting 130. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 503 @ New Delhi DELHI EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE 63 Delhi Delhi led union territories in abduction and kidnapping cases (5,715), followed by Jammu and Kashmir (1,004). Mumbai reported 124 murder cases and Ahmedabad 109. Across 19 cit- ABDUCTION & KIDNAPPING Delhi 5,681 Mumbai 1,798 Bengaluru 1,158 CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN Delhi 13,366 Mumbai 6,025 Bengaluru 4,870 ies, the total was 2,004. In Delhi, murder motives included family disputes (59), land disputes (18), dacoity or robbery (43), love affairs (21), illicit relationships (28), money disputes (46), and unknown motives (8). Delhi led union territories in abduction and kidnapping cases (5,715), followed by Jammu and Kashmir (1,004). Among metropolitan cities, Delhi recorded 5,681 abduction and kidnapping cases, followed by Mumbai (1,798) and Bengaluru (1,158). Delhi saw the highest number of crimes against women (13,366) among metropolitan cities, with a 69.9 chargesheeting rate, followed by Mumbai (6,025), Bengaluru (4,870), and Jaipur (3,872). Crimes against Scheduled Tribes rose 28% from 10,064 in 2022 to 12,960 in 2023. Cybercrimes increased 31.2% from 65,893 to 86,420 cases. A total of 5,480 cases were registered in metro cities involving juveniles in 2023, compared to 5,352 in 2022. Delhi reported the highest 2,278 cases of crimes by juveniles. The remaining 18 cities did not reach the four-digit mark, with the second-highest being 523 in Chennai. Nationwide, the crime rate of juveniles rose from 6.9 in 2022 to 7.1 in 2023. Delhi reported 4,580 economic offence cases among metropolitan cities. In 2023, the total number of cases was 41,220, with Mumbai (6,476), Hyderabad (5,728), and Jaipur (5,304) reporting the highest numbers. Of Delhi’s cases, 261 involved criminal breach of trust, 38 counterfeiting, and 4,281 involved forgery, cheating, and fraud. P7 PM says the 20-point plan offers a pathway to lasting stability for the war-ravaged region Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) leader Sajjad Kargili at a press conference in Delhi | PTI 2nd outfit in Ladakh says ‘no’ to talks with Centre P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi THE Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has announced it will not participate in talks with the Union government until activist Sonam Wangchuk and other activists are released, and a time-bound judicial inquiry is initiated into the deaths of four persons during recent violence in Ladakh’s Leh. KDA founder-member Sajjad Kargili, in an interview with this paper, confirmed the decision, asserting that any meaningful dialogue is not possible under the current circumstances, despite the Centre’s willingness to hold talks on Ladakh. The KDA’s move comes a day after the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), the other major group leading the joint agitation for statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the sixth schedule of the Constitution, withdrew from the talks, saying dialogue with the Centre would remain suspended until normalcy is restored. In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the government continues to welcome discussions with ABL and KDA through the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any other platform. “We cannot hold talks with the Centre when they opened fire on our youth and arrested many of the protesters under draconian laws. We demand a time-bound judicial probe into the deaths and the unconditional release of all activists, including Wangchuk,” said Kargili, adding that if the government fails to meet these demands, the agitation will continue. The KDA would soon hold consultations with the Apex Body Leh to decide the next mode of agitation. Kargili also pointed to the growing frustration among Ladakh’s youth due to rising unemployment and lack of opportunities. The way forward is to listen to people of Ladakh and provide constitutional guarantees under the Sixth Schedule, he said. Modi backs Trump’s Gaza peace proposal J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi INDIA on Tuesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming the proposal a “viable pathway” to lasting peace, security, and development for both Palestinians and Israelis. The ambitious roadmap, unveiled by Trump during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, aims to bring an immediate halt to nearly two years of devastating conflict in Gaza. The plan mandates a 72-hour window for Hamas to release all hostages, both living and deceased, in exchange for a ceasefire and partial Israeli troop withdrawal. “We welcome President Donald J Trump’s announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict,” Modi said. India, which supports a twostate solution and has consistently condemned terrorism, said it hopes “all concerned will come together behind President Trump’s initiative and support this effort to end conflict and secure peace”. India’s endorsement of Trump’s plan is consistent with its longstanding call for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict. Sources highlighted New Delhi’s historical support for Palestinian statehood, its early recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization, and its vote in favour of the “New York Declaration” on peaceful settlement earlier this month. India has maintained a delicate diplomatic balance throughout the war, condemning Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terror attack while also calling for an end to the war in Gaza. Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan proposes a ‘Board of Peace’ led by Trump and international experts, including former British PM Tony Blair, to oversee an interim government in Gaza. Central to the proposal is the reconstruction of the enclave as New Gaza alongside a renewed push for a two-state solution with secure, recognised borders. The peace push comes amid international exhaustion with the prolonged conflict, which has claimed over 66,000 lives. India is the new builder of the world... We want you to build our regions as well Israeli ambassador Reuven Azar It (Trump’s plan) provides a viable pathway to longterm and sustainable peace, security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people Narendra Modi, PM DIVINE MOMENT PM participates in Durga Puja celebrations at Chittaranjan Park | X | P3 7.42 cr in final list of Bihar voters, 47L out M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with US President Donald Trump at the White House | AP/PTI Ceasefire, return of hostages & aid flow to Gaza central to plan Trump’s 20-point plan outlines an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with all hostages—living or deceased—to be returned by Hamas to Israel within 72 hours. The proposal calls for a suspension of all military operations and a freeze on battle lines, followed by a phased Israeli withdrawal contingent on compliance of the terms of the peace proposal. In exchange for hostages, Israel will release 1,950 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas members who renounce violence will be granted amnesty and safe passage to leave, if they wish so. Humanitarian aid will flow into Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations and other multilateral agencies THE Election Commission of India on Tuesday released the final voters’ list for poll-bound Bihar, dropping 47 lakh names that were on the rolls before their Special Intensive Revision began. The final list has 7.42 crore voters in Bihar as compared to 7.24 crore in the draft list. While 21.53 lakh were added to the draft electoral rolls, 3.66 lakh ineligible ones were deleted from that list. In the draft rolls, the ECI had deleted 65 lakh names from the list of 7.89 crore electors in Bihar, who were eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha elections held in 2024. The 47 lakh deletions in the final rolls include deaths, migration and illegal immigrants NEPAL WIN HISTORIC T20I SERIES VS WINDIES Playing a T20I series against a full member for the first time, Nepal won the first two matches against two-time world champions West Indies to win the series. The recent upheaval in the country makes the win even more special Chandigarh becomes first Asia Cup row: BCCI corners Naqvi slum-free city in India as last settlement removed F I R O Z M I R Z A @ Chennai H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh CHANDIGARH became the country’s first slum-free city after the UT Administration demolished Shahpur Colony, the last remaining slum settlement within its limits, on Tuesday . An official from the Enforcement Wing of the Estate Office said the operation began around 7 am, and continued through the day. With the removal of all unauthorised colonies from the government land and the successful implementation of largescale rehabilitation measures, the city has completed the final phase of its long-standing slum eradication initiative. The administration demolished the slum at Shahpur Colony in Sector 38, spread over 4 to 4.5 acres and valued at approximately `250 crore. Prior to the demolition, all applicants were screened under the Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme, 2006. Eligible families were rehabilitated and allotted EWS flats at locations, including Industrial Area Phase I, Dhanas, Mauli Jagran, Ram Darbar, and Sector 49. About 70 families were found eligible under the rehabilitation scheme and have been allotted these flats. The move marked the end of a twelve-year drive by the administration as it has cleared 18 slum colonies, which has led to the reclamation of more than 520 acres of public land across the city worth around `21,000 crore. Chandigarh DC Nishant Kumar Yadav said, “Through a combination of planned rehabilitation, strategic demolitions, and strict enforcement, Chandigarh has made a significant step forward in eliminating slums. This initiative not only ensures the recovery of valuable public land but also provides thousands of residents with dignified housing and improved living conditions.” THE Asia Cup trophy issue spilled over to the Asian Cricket Council’s annual general meeting on Tuesday. Sources said the Indian cricket board (BCCI) registered a strong protest over the decision of not presenting the winner’s trophy to Suryakumar Yadav and Co after they beat arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets in the final on Sunday . ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and interior minister of the country however, remained , defiant even forcing at least one of the BCCI representatives — former treasurer Ashish Shelar — to leave the meeting though for a brief period. ACC president Mohsin Naqvi | AFP Vice president Rajeev Shukla was another BCCI representative in the meeting. “The BCCI raised a strong objection for not handing over the trophy to the Indian cricket team,” a source, who attended the meeting told this daily . “Naqvi tried to end the matter by saying the issue is not on the agenda but the BCCI repre- sentatives continued with their demand and also asked why the trophy is in the hotel and not at the ACC headquarters. Later it was decided that the ACC members will resolve the issue amicably The single .” point agenda of the meeting was to elect a vice president but that was also deferred. Earlier, Naqvi’s opening remark stirred yet another controversy as he congratulated Nepal for winning a T20I series against the West Indies and Mongolia for becoming an ACC member but didn’t mention India’s Asia Cup triumph. Shelar then questioned Naqvi for not congratulating India for winning the continental tournament. Naqvi then duly obliged and extended his wishes to the winners, sources said. EXPRESS READ Now, e-arrival cards at IGIA for foreign flyers 13 held in Raj for running honey-trap racket Heavy showers pour chaos on city roads To simplify the arrival process for foreign flyers arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), an e-arrival card facility will be launched Wednesday for a hassle-free experience. | P4 Rajasthan police have claimed to have busted a racket involved in honey-trapping, insurance fraud and illegal arms trade in Jhalawar. Thirteen people, including a woman, have been arrested. Sudden heavy showers flooded underpasses and brought key arteries in the national capital to a standstill on Tuesday, leaving thousands stranded as motorists battled poor visibility. | P4 – Nepali, Bangladeshi and Rohingyas from Myanmar. “If any eligible person still wishes to apply for inclusion of their name in Electoral Roll, they can submit an application up to 10 days before last date for filing nominations for the election and if any person is not satisfied with decision of ERO regarding an entry in final electoral roll, they may, under Section 24 of the RP Act, 1950, file a first appeal before District Magistrate and a second appeal before CEO,” the EC said. The SIR controversy is yet to be settled judicially The final . hearing on the matter in the Supreme Court will take place on October 7. The court had earlier said even the final voters’ list could be canceled if any wrongdoing is found. P8 BJP veteran Vijay Malhotra dies at 93; PM pays tribute ANUP VERMA @ NEW DELHI VETERAN BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday morning after undergoing treatment at AIIMS for the past few days. Malhotra was the first president of the BJP’s Delhi unit, and also served as the LoP in the Assembly. He was the party’s chief ministerial face during the 2008 lection. A five-time MP and two-time MLA from Delhi, Malhotra had defeated Congress candidate Manmohan Singh from South Delhi in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls. Malhotra is also credited with introducing BJP stalwart LK Advani to Delhi politics after he shifted from Gujarat to the national capital in early 1950s. Several leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressed grief over his demise. The PM visited Malhotra’s residence and paid tributes to the departed soul. Remembering the late leader’s contribution, the PM said, “His efforts towards the development of Delhi will forever be cherished.” Shah also offered floral tributes to the mortal remains of the deceased leader and said Malhotra “played a crucial role in shaping and expanding the organisation.” Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called Malhotra the “guardian of all our karyakartas” and described his death as “an extremely painful and irreparable loss”. The Delhi government cancelled several of its scheduled events following his demise.