The rupee depreciated 10 paise to close at 89.98 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Thursday (January 1, 2026), the first trading session of 2026, as sustained foreign fund outflows and a negative trend in domestic equities dented investor sentiments
It's the first day of the year, and you are all amped up to follow through on the resolutions you have set. But by the end of the first week, the fire begins to falter, and before you know it, you begin to slack on these goals. What causes this resolution spark to fade so quickly? There's an actual
A key suspect in the murder of Bangladeshi activist Sharif Osman Hadi has denied any role in the killing. Faisal Karim Masud, also known as Daud, released a video stating he is in Dubai and not in India as claimed by Bangladeshi authorities. He insists his meeting with Hadi was professional
Australia have officially named their squad for the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025–26 series against England, which is set to begin on Saturday, January 3, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia have officially named their squad for the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025–26
Have you ever watched a K-Drama, and been tempted to try out a beauty product used by an actor on the show? In the 2022 show Business Proposal, Manasa Garamella, co-founder, Kindlife, an online platform curating and retailing K-Beauty and other global cosmetics
BJP’s ‘Mini Pakistan’ Charge Pushes Kogilu Demolition Row Into New Territory
BJP’s ‘Mini Pakistan’ Charge Pushes Kogilu Demolition Row Into New Territory
With deportations, document checks and a sharp interstate political exchange running parallelly, the Kogilu episode has moved far beyond a local demolition drive.
Allegations by the Karnataka BJP that the demolished settlement was a “mini Pakistan" housing illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have pushed the controversy into a new terrain.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's charge that the Congress government in Karnataka was indulging in “bulldozer politics" through the Kogilu demolitions has now taken a back seat, with the BJP escalating its attack with more serious allegations.
After visiting Kogilu Layout near Yelahanka, the BJP accused the Congress government of encouraging large-scale encroachments and illegal settlements. Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka claimed that satellite images and Google Maps showed no residential structures in the area a year ago, suggesting that the settlement had come up rapidly over the last few months.
“How were electricity connections given so quickly?" Ashoka questioned, alleging that the Siddaramaiah government was deliberately allowing illegal colonies to mushroom. “After misleading Kannadigas for years, the Congress is now creating mini Bangladeshs in Karnataka," he said.
Rejecting the BJP's charge of vote-bank politics, the Congress said the party had never used illegal immigrants for electoral gain. “There is no question of that. The Congress has never indulged in such practices and never will," home minister G Parameshwara had said earlier.
Ashoka has previously accused the Congress of attempting to turn Karnataka into a “mini Pakistan" for vote-bank benefits by appeasing minorities. His renewed attack in the wake of the Kogilu demolitions has given the controversy a fresh political edge.
The Karnataka government, however, has pushed back strongly. Parameshwara, responding to Ashoka's claim that those displaced during the Kogilu Layout demolition were illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, said any such individuals found would be deported.
Identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, he said, is part of a state-wide exercise and not limited to Kogilu alone. In July this year, Karnataka deported over 200 illegal Bangladeshi migrants following targeted crackdowns, particularly in the construction sector. Most of those deported were working as daily-wage labourers and were sent back after failing document verification. Several were found working in coffee estates and construction sites across the state.
Parameshwara said there would be no question of extending benefits to illegal immigrants if they are identified during police verification. “If any Bangladeshi nationals are found to be staying illegally, the police will take them into custody and deport them. Those involved in criminal activities will face arrest. There will be no alternative housing or facilities for illegal immigrants," he said.
Parameshwara also warned the Opposition against what he described as loose and provocative remarks. While the BJP was free to oppose the government and protest, he said the issue should not be communalised. “The law will take its course. There is no protection for anyone staying illegally," he said.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority is currently surveying the demolished area and compiling a list of those who lost their shelters. “Once the list is prepared, the police will verify the background of each individual—their origin, how long they have been in Bengaluru and the nature of their stay at the site. Decisions will be taken only after that process," the home minister said.
The Kogilu Demolitions
The Kogilu controversy stems from the demolition of 167 makeshift sheds at Kogilu in north Bengaluru on December 20. The structures stood on government land earmarked for a solid waste management facility.
As political pressure mounted, the Karnataka government announced that alternative housing would be provided to displaced families who are found to be genuine residents of Karnataka and do not own houses or residential sites. Initially, January 1 was indicated as the date for handing over new homes, but officials have since said the process could take a few more days as document verification is still underway.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority has deployed teams to scrutinise applications and identify eligible beneficiaries. Officials said the alternative accommodation would be located within a seven-kilometre radius of Kogilu.
The issue escalated after Vijayan criticised the demolition, arguing that it reflected a broader pattern of “bulldozer raj" and pointing out that most of those affected were Muslims.
Swipe Left For Next Video
Chief minister Siddaramaiah clarified that the illegal structures had come up on 15 acres of government land handed over to the municipal corporation for waste processing. “We are providing alternative accommodation purely on humanitarian grounds," he said, reiterating that encroachment on government land would not be tolerated.
The chief minister also said action would be taken against officials who allowed the illegal sheds to come up in the first place. He pointed out that the land was close to a rock quarry and a garbage dumping site, with biogas emissions making it unsuitable for habitation.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Amit Shah urges Bengal BJP to step up grassroots push ahead of 2026 New Year's Party At Home How Amit Shah Has Set BJP’s 2026 Bengal Poll Narrative How to send New Year wishes on WhatsApp using stickers New Year’s Eve strike Sydney sends message of peace for New Year's after Bondi attack People across Andhra Pradesh welcome New Year with gusto What are 6 best New Year countdown ideas for kids Commercial LPG Prices Rise On New Year’s Day Gas Cylinder Goes Up Rs 111 In New Year Shocker
Vi Offers Budget-Friendly Unlimited Data Plan Vodafone-Idea (Vi) continues to cater to millions of users across India with a variety of recharge plans. Among these is a budget-friendly unlimited data plan priced at just ₹398. This plan is available for both 4G and 5G users
1 minutes ago
For the April-December 2025 period, gross GST revenues total Rs 16.50 lakh crore, marking an 8.6% increase from Rs 15.19 lakh crore collected during the same period last year. GST Collection December 2025: India's goods and services tax (GST) collections in December 2025 rose 6.1% to Rs 1,74
1 minutes ago
Enzo Maresca has left his role as Chelsea manager with the club sitting fifth in the Premier League. The Italian, 45, departs less than six months after winning the Club World Cup at the end of his first season at Stamford Bridge. "With key objectives still to play for across four competitions
1 minutes ago
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. on Thursday said it exported 3.95 lakh vehicles in 2025, its highest ever in any calendar year. This marks growth of over 21 percent compared to 2024, the country's largest automaker said in a statement. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. on Thursday said it exported 3
1 minutes ago
With deportations, document checks and a sharp interstate political exchange running parallelly, the Kogilu episode has moved far beyond a local demolition drive. Allegations by the Karnataka BJP that the demolished settlement was a “mini Pakistan" housing illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have
1 minutes ago
Over the last few years, online learning has been widely criticised. Parents blame it for short attention spans. Teachers argue it weakens conceptual understanding. Students often describe it as tiring, isolating, or uninspiring. Online learning did not fail students
1 minutes ago
Pakistan experienced its deadliest year in over a decade in 2025 as combat-related deaths surged 74%, with militants accounting for more than half the death toll, according to a new report released by an independent think tank. Islamabad often accuses Kabul of turning a blind eye to cross-border
1 minutes ago
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur's brave innings seals 5-0 T20 series win for India against Sri Lanka. New Delhi: In the fifth and final T20 match played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, the Indian women's team defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs, securing a 5-0 series whitewash
1 minutes ago
The US Embassy in India marked the start of 2026 on Thursday with a message highlighting the strength of India–US ties and expressing optimism about deeper cooperation in the year ahead. “Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, we celebrate the strong partnership between the United States
1 minutes ago
Losing your voice after a New Year's bash is almost a funny cliché. After all the singing, drinking and shouting to bring in the new year, having a hoarse voice is a small price to pay for all the fun and memories. And with some care, your vocal cords can bounce back faster
1 minutes ago
How To Style Your Coats and Scarves This Winter: Fashion Tips Inspired By Rasika Dugal, Aditi Rao Hydari And Other Celebs Winter Outfit Ideas: Winter is here and the season calls for cosy yet chic layering. When in India, nobody can serve the best inspiration from the Indian celebrities like Rasika
1 minutes ago
The unexpected slump from the world's top-ranked T20 batter has raised doubts about his readiness for a global tournament scheduled to begin in February 2026. India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has come under intense scrutiny after former World Cup winner and ex-India selector Krishnamachari
1 minutes ago
Late nights, celebratory drinks, and heavy festive meals often leave the body dehydrated, acidic, and exhausted the next morning. While hangovers are commonly associated with Western quick fixes, Indian kitchens have long relied on gentle, restorative foods that help the body recover naturally
1 minutes ago
The price cut comes into effect from January 1 in GAIL Gas Geographical Areas (GAs) in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Odisha. New Delhi: GAIL Gas Limited on Thursday announced to reduce the cost of domestic Piped Natural Gas
1 minutes ago
Kapil Sharma's Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 was released on December 12. However, despite receiving mixed reviews, it failed to perform at the box office due to the Dhurandhar wave. A month after its original release, Kapil Sharma's Kis Kisko Pyar Karoon 2 is all set to hit theatres again. On January 1
1 minutes ago
Cold mornings have a way of making everyday routines feel slower, especially inside the bathroom. Hot water shifts from being a comfort to becoming a daily necessity. A price drop on Crompton water heater models arrives at a time when attention turns to performance rather than impulse upgrades
1 minutes ago
Vidya Balan has never followed conventional rules, whether in cinema, body image, or wellness. Known for her grounded approach to health, the actor recently spoke about her food philosophy in an interview with Curly Tales, revealing that she follows a “no raw" diet
1 minutes ago
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has acknowledged that the platform may fail to identify AI slop, as the latter gets better in faking reality.“Platforms like Instagram will do good work identifying AI content, but they'll get worse at it over time as AI gets better
1 minutes ago
Ever since its launch in November, Tata's new SUV Sierra has created a huge buzz among automobile enthusiasts across India. The official deliveries for the car may not have begun yet, but a video on Instagram reiterated the craze it is already generating among Indian car lovers
1 minutes ago
In 2025, India's higher education system crossed a pivotal threshold, where regulatory reforms sought to align closely with market realities, expanded student choices, and integrated global opportunities. These shifts marked not mere incremental adjustments but promised genuine transformation
1 minutes ago
At the stroke of midnight, Sandeep Reddy Vanga dropped Prabhas and Triptii Dimri's first look from their film with him, Spirit. Triptii's rumoured boyfriend, Sam Merchant, as well as stars like Katrina Kaif and Kiara Advani, have reacted to the first look poster.At the stroke of midnight
1 minutes ago
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Review: The highly anticipated final episode of the season has finally premiered on OTT platforms, bringing the thrilling series closer to its epic conclusion. Here's an honest take on what to expect.Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Review: The highly anticipated
1 minutes ago
If you are planning to revamp your home this new year, the top trending decor styles and features need to be on your radar. With the right design touches, your homes can be innovative and expressive, in tune with the latest trends, while also balancing practicality with aesthetics
1 minutes ago
Hindu Festive Calendar January 2026: As 2025 is coming to its end and the New Year 2026 will begin in just two days with a new month, a new chapter full of joy, optimism and spiritual festivities will begin. Several significant festivals, holy days and auspicious muhurats begin in January
1 minutes ago
Chief of Army Staff Chief General Upendra Dwivedi assures in New Year 2026 message that Operation Sindoor continues against cross-border threats and highlights Indian Army's preparedness against any external and internal threats. Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi
1 minutes ago
New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Passenger vehicle wholesales in India clocked a record 45.5 lakh units in 2025, growing by nearly 6 per cent, turbocharged by GST 2.0 in the latter part of the year that helped overcome a sluggish start, as per industry estimates.New Delhi
1 minutes ago
In 2025 Reliance Foundation athletes collected 88 medals and six national records, James Hillier, Athletics Director at Reliance Foundation, insists the results are not the product of luck – but of a deliberate, systematic model. From talent identification to competition planning
1 minutes ago
