President confers PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 20 children saturdAY 27 Cricketing sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, singer Esther Lalduhawmi Hanamate, and judoka Yogita Mandavi were among the awardees december, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard U S l a u n c h e s m i ss i l e s at Islamic State in Nigeria President Droupadi Murmu confers the award on ten-year-old Shravan Singh, who delivered water and milk to soldiers during Op Sindoor Nigeria on Friday signalled that more strikes against jihadist groups were expected after a Christmas Day bombardment by US forces against militants champions across six fields awarded A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS Page 9 l New Delhi J8.00 l PAGES 12 Only Aadhaar-verified users can book rly tickets on 1st day of advance reservation Visa hassle India presses US to resolve H-1B delay B AN B U SE LV AN @ Chennai JAYANT H JA C O B @ New Delhi INDIA on Friday said it has taken up with the US the issue of delays, cancellations and difficulties in scheduling H-1B visa appointments amid mounting concerns that recent regulatory changes have affected thousands of Indian nationals. “The Government of India has received several representations from Indian nationals who are facing delays or problems with the rescheduling of their visa appointments,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). “While we do understand that visa-related issues pertain to the sovereign domain of any country, we have flagged these issues and concerns of our nationals to the US Randhir Jaiswal, side, both in MEA spokesman Delhi and in Washington.” The latest disruptions follow a series of policy changes announced by Washington, including a steep fee of $100,000 for first-time H-1B visa applicants and a move away from the random lottery system towards prioritising applicants with higher skills. From December 15, the US also expanded social media vetting to all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, a step that has led to widespread appointment cancellations and rescheduling months later. Jaiswal said India is actively engaging with US to address the issues faced by Indians. The changes apply to H-1B visas, which allow US firms to employ foreign professionals in specialised fields such as technology, engineering and medicine, as well as H-4 visas issued to dependents. Reports say thousands of Indians have been affected with several people who travelled to India specifically to renew their visas being stranded. l The award is in recognition of exceptional achievements in the fields of bravery, social service, environment, sports, art & culture and science & technology. President Murmu said it is owing to talented children such as Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika that India is considered a chess powerhouse. Ajay Raj and Mohammed Sidan P, who saved lives of others, were feted too | P7 A hotel owner in West Bengal’s Siliguri pastes a notice banning Bangladeshis | PTI MEA: Relentless attack on B’desh Hindus worrying Expresses deep concern over unremitting hostilities against minorities in the country JAYANT H JA C O B @ New Delhi Unremitting hostilities against the minorities in Bangladesh is a matter of grave concern — MEA 2,900 cases of violence The MEA said that over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities, including cases of killings, arsons, land grab have been reported during the tenure of the interim government INDIA on Friday expressed deep concern about the “unremitting hostilities” against Hindus in Bangladesh and condemned attempts to dismiss the continuing violence against religious minorities as media exaggeration or political violence. New Delhi also reacted cautiously to the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years of exile, stressing that the development should be viewed in the context of ensuring inclusive polls. “The unremitting hostilities against the minorities in Bangladesh including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists are a matter of grave concern. We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. The comments came in the wake of a string of incidents targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh amid a rapidly evolving political landscape following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina. Two Hindu men were lynched in two separate incidents in a span of a week. Jaiswal said India is closely monitoring the developments across the border and underlined that protection of minorities is integral to democratic credibility . Referring to the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das on December 18, Jaiswal said New Delhi has unequivocally condemned the incident and sought swift accountability. On the killing of another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, on December 24, Jaiswal appeared to link it to hostilities towards minorities. When asked about BNP’s acting chairman Rahman’s return, Jaiswal struck a measured note, saying it should be seen in the context of ensuring inclusive elections. He reiterated India’s stand that the upcoming elections must be free, fair, and inclusive but refrained from commenting on Bangladesh’s internal political rivalries. Nearly six months after making Aadhaar verification mandatory for booking tatkal etickets, the Indian Railways has also made that mandate a prerequisite for booking general reservation tickets on the first day of the advance reservation period through the IRCTC portal. The new rule, which comes into effect on January 12, has been introduced to ensure that advanced bookings are done only by genuine passengers. However, passengers booking paper tickets at reservation counters can continue to do so as usual by submitting the reservation form along with any new rule from jan 12 The rule, which takes effect on January 12, is aimed at curbing bulk booking by agents. Bookings by verified users will be allowed from 8 am to 4 pm from Jan 5 Aadhaar OTP made mandatory for tatkal e-tickets from July 1 valid identity document. According to an order issued by the Railway Board, passengers who have not completed Aadhaar verification on the IRCTC portal will not be allowed to book tickets on the opening day of reservations, which begins 60 days before the scheduled departure of a Pil in Delhi HC to cut GST for air purifiers Stay off legislative turf: Govt on GST nudge U d aya n k i s ho r e @ New Delhi THE Centre on Friday opposed a PIL seeking reduced air purifier rates, telling the Delhi High Court that judicial intervention would violate the principle of ‘separation of powers.’ “This will open up a Pandora’s box,” the Centre told a vacation bench of justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar after the court questioned why the rates couldn’t be brought “within reach of the common man”. Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman, for the Centre, said there was already a legislative process involving parliamentary standing committee reports and GST Council deliberations. “How can this process be scuttled through a court process?” he asked. On the court’s earlier sug- Key demands of the PIL The petitioner submitted that on medical devices, GST was five per cent whereas it was 18 per cent for air purifiers. He sought a direction to authorities to charge five per cent on air purifiers as well considering the capital’s pollution crisis gestion for a virtual GST Council meeting given Delhi’s air pollution crisis, the Centre said it was “not possible” as regulations require physical presence of all members. “This is not a PIL at all. GST is only a ruse...We are scared from the constitutional perspective. It is doctrine of separation of powers,” the ASG said, adding the Centre couldn’t commit to a Council meeting date. The bench had noted that Delhi lives under high alert, but eyes that aren’t watching capital closely had been surveyed. “Out of which, 344 offices have exterior Delhi lives under a high alert. coverage of CCTV of 500 meSirens, checkpoints, frisking ters from their office/buildings — the drill is familiar. But under different projects, either when it comes to eyes on the by Delhi Police or civic agenstreet, the blind spots are far cies or by the government detoo many . partment/offices at their own Despite repeated terror level,” the document said. Esstrikes and clear directions tate officers have since been from the top, most government advised to install CCTV cameras with a minimum buildings in Delhi rerecording backup of main poorly watched. 30 days. Of the Central and Ironically, the techstate government ofAt the DGsP/ fices surveyed, just IGsP Conference nology is already in place—just not everyover a fifth have CCTV ’24, authorities where it needs to be. cameras with a decent were told to Investigating officers monitoring range. The ensure all govt offices install a routinely extract footrest? Blind spots. The lapse is glaring network of CCTV age and analyse it uscameras with because the instrucing video management tion wasn’t informal. exterior coverage systems, video and auof at least 500 At the DGsP/IGsP metres. Months dio analytics, face recConference 2024, au- later, compliance ognition software, and thorities were told to ANPR cameras that is thin ensure all government read vehicle number Officials offices install a netplates. When cameras work of CCTV camerexist, they work. as with exterior coverage of at The Red Fort blast this year least 500 metres. Months later, is a stark reminder of what compliance is thin. surveillance can—and canDocuments accessed by the not—do. The prime accused, newspaper show that by early Dr Uman Nabi, was tracked September, around 1,649 gov- across the city through CCTV ernment offices and buildings footage before the attack. train. The booking window opens at 8 am. The notification further stated that from December 29, only Aadhaar-validated users will be permitted to book tickets between 8 am and noon. This restriction will be extended from 8 am to 4 pm, starting January 5. From January 12, ticket air purifiers are pricey rang, ing from `10,000-12,000 `60,000. “It is beyond the reach of a common man. Why not bring it down to a reasonable level...What is the difficulty in the GST Council meeting?” it asked. The ASG said, “It is a loaded petition, we want to know who is behind this... Somebody wants a monopoly in air purifiers... Health ministry is not even a party The .” court permitted the Centre to file a counter-affidavit within 10 days. e x p r e ss r e a d DGCA panel submits report on IndiGo fiasco The four-member committee set up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to look into IndiGo fiasco has submitted its report to the civil aviation ministry on Friday. The cancellation of over 4,000 flights by IndiGo impacted over 11 lakh passengers from December 1 to 9. n i t i n r a w at @ New Delhi Indian student shot dead in Toronto Up in arms Agitators hold placards as they stage a protest against the suspension of the jail term of Kuldeep Sengar, a former BJP MLA who was convicted in the Unnao rape case, outside the Delhi High Court on Friday | Parveen Negi | P4 A 20-year-old Indian student was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, prompting Canadian police to seek public help in finding the suspect. The victim has been identified as Shivank Avasthi, a doctoral student. | P8 Shimla docs to go on strike for sacked colleague H a r p r e e t B a j w a @ Chandigarh Resident doctors of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, will go on an indefinite strike from Saturday , protesting the termination of senior resident Raghav Narula, who was dismissed for allegedly assaulting a patient on Monday The doctors want his . termination revoked. The decision was announced after the state government terminated Narula’s services, triggering protests from the medical frater nity. Routine services, elective operation theatres and outpatient departments will remain closed during the strike, while emergency services will continue. Following talks with Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Resident Doc- tors’ Association (RDA) said it was dissatisfied despite assurances of a probe. The RDA has demanded reinstatement of the doctor, the registration of FIRs over alleged intimidation and vandalism and strengthening of hospital security . Patients faced inconvenience on Friday as around 2,800 junior and senior residents proceeded on mass casual leave. The government action followed a complaint by patient Arjun Singh of Shimla district, who alleged he was assaulted after objecting to the doctor’s language. Narula denied the charge, claiming the patient used abusive language. An inquiry committee found both parties at fault, citing “misconduct and misbehaviour” by Narula. A video of the incident went viral. bookings from 8 am to midnight will be available exclusively to Aadhaar-validated users. The Railway Board, in its December 18 order, said the expansion of Aadhaar verification for general class reservations aims to ensure that tickets are purchased only by genuine passengers. Official sources justified the move, noting that tickets on high-demand routes continue to sell out within minutes of the booking window opening at 8 am. “On popular routes such as Chennai-Howrah, Chennai-New Delhi, ChennaiJaipur/Jodhpur, ChennaiMangaluru, and others, tickets are quickly exhausted,” an official said. UP SIRbe 19% voters may deleted from list As the deadline for SIR of the voter list in UP ended on Friday, details of 2.89 crore voters couldn’t be collected. The SIR deadline had been extended twice but was not extended a third time | P8 CEO among three held for gang-rape in moving car R a j e s h A s n a n i @ Jaipur Three persons, including the CEO of a private IT company , have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang-rape of the firm’s female manager in a moving car after a birthday party in Udaipur. Police said a local court on Thursday sent the accused to four-day police custody They . identified the accused as GKM IT Pvt Ltd’s owner and CEO, Jitesh Sisodia, a senior female executive of the firm and her husband Gaurav Sirohi. The horrific incident allegedly took place on December 20, while the complaint was lodged on December 23. As per the FIR, the alleged assault followed a birthday and New Year’s party organised by the CEO at a hotel in Udaipur. The victim said she reached the hotel around 9 pm. The CEO, the senior female executive and her husband were also present. The party reportedly continued till 1.30 am. The victim said when she began feeling unwell late at night, the senior female executive offered to drop her home. Around 1.45 am, they left the hotel in the victim’s car. The executive’s husband and the CEO were present in the vehicle as well. Midway during the journey , the accused allegedly purchased an intoxicant and forced the victim to consume it, following which she passed out. When she partially regained consciousness, she saw the CEO sexually assaulting her in the moving car, the victim said in her statement. She alleged that despite her repeated pleas, the accused dropped her home only around 5 am. The victim told the police that her car’s dashcam recorded audio and video of the entire incident. The footage allegedly shows the presence and involvement of all three accused. Police officials are examining the footage.