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S Raju

Articles by S Raju

Dateline Muzaffarnagar: From high pitched campaign, to simple village chaupal, BJP, SP and BSP in triangular fight

Election campaign in Muzaffarnagar sees contrasting styles: BJP's Balyan with grandeur, SP's Malik with simplicity, and BSP's Prajapati silently reaching out.

Union minister and BJP candidate from Muzaffarnagar Sanjeev Balyan (HT FIle Photo)

Other Cities

Updated on Apr 08, 2024 06:57 PM IST

ByS Raju, Kakra (muzaffarnagar)

Kshatriya community in west UP accuses ruling party of ‘ignoring’ their interests

The Kshatriya community members had organised a similar panchayat in Kapsad village of Meerut district’s Sardhana area a few days ago

“Khastriya Swabhimaan Mahakumbh” panchayat under way in Nanauta town of Saharanpur district on April 7. (HT photo)

Lucknow

Updated on Apr 08, 2024 05:06 AM IST

ByS Raju, Saharanpur

Digital revolution reduces sway of hookah chaupals

Village elders blame easy access to the internet and the availability of smartphones as a major reason for the waning significance of hookah chaupals and their political heft.

Hookah chaupal at Kakda village in Muzaffarnagar (S Raju/ HT)

Other Cities

Updated on Apr 07, 2024 05:02 AM IST

ByS. Raju, Soram(muzaffarnagar)

‘Worked hard for 10 years, don’t think there’s challenge of anti-incumbency, says Sanjeev Kumar Balyan

After a big victory in 2014, the BJP leader defeated the then Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Chaudhary Ajit Singh by a narrow margin of just over 6,000 votes in 2019.

Union minister Sanjeev Kumar Balyan (HT File)

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Published on Apr 06, 2024 10:01 PM IST

ByS. Raju, Muzaffarnagar

Despite caste fault lines, some unfulfilled expectations, BJP-RLD hopeful of nailing bullseye

Muzaffarnagar goes to polls in phase 1 on April 19. This nerve centre of OBC Jat politics, upper caste assertion and underlying Hindu-Muslim fissures saw a saffron shift post 2013 riots

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) Chief Jayant Chaudhary and other during an election campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, in Bagpat on Friday. (Pawan Kumar/ ANI)

Other Cities

Updated on Apr 06, 2024 06:36 AM IST

ByS. Raju, Madkarimpur(muzaffarnagar)

From reel to real: How stiff is a challenge for ‘Ram’ Arun Govil on his electoral odyssey?

Welcomed with garlands, showered with rose petals, and the beat of drums, people eagerly sought a glimpse of him, attempting to capture his image on their mobile phones.

BJP candidate from Meerut Lok Sabha seat Arun Govil attending a Ram Katha at Sanatan Dharm Mandir in Hapur on Wednesday (HT photo)

Lucknow

Published on Apr 03, 2024 10:16 PM IST

ByS Raju

RLD V-P quits party over alliance with BJP

RLD national vice-president Shahid Siddiqui sent his resignation to Chaudhary, saying democracy is at stake in the country.

RLD national vice-president Shahid Siddiqui (HT FILE)

Other Cities

Updated on Apr 02, 2024 06:18 AM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

U.P. will greet PM with garland of 80 beads (seats): Yogi

Addressing the Prabudha Sammelan in Bulandshahr, CM Yogi lamented the state’s condition during previous governments and said that they followed a ‘riot policy’ which unleashed a reign of terror in Bulandshahr

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a meeting with the intellectuals ('Prabuddh Varg Sammelan') ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, in Bulandshahr, Monday. (PTI)

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Published on Apr 01, 2024 08:36 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Modi will not stop, action on corruption to continue: PM

PM Modi launched BJP's campaign in UP, targeting Opposition INDIA bloc for corruption, at a rally in Meerut with RLD's Jayant Chaudhary.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and other NDA leaders in Meerut on Sunday. (PTI)

India News

Updated on Apr 01, 2024 05:44 AM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Jayant credits PM Modi for recognising his grandfather’s contribution in nation building

Jayant claimed that the prime minister’s concern for farmers was evident, as he personally conveyed his worries during a brief meeting after the Bharat Ratna was conferred upon Chaudhary Charan Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime minister Narendra Modi meets RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary and other leaders during an election campaign rally ahead of Lok Sabha polls, in Meerut on Sunday (PTI)

Lucknow

Published on Mar 31, 2024 10:43 PM IST

ByS Raju

Region known for curfews earlier now hailed for Kanwar Yatras: Yogi Adityanath in Muzaffarnagar

Highlighting the importance of a single vote, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath says it can change the fate of the country.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath being garlanded during a Prabuddh Sammelan ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in Muzaffarnagar on Thursday. (PTI PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 29, 2024 06:36 AM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Amid twists and turns, how drama unfolded over Samajwadi Party candidates in Rampur and Moradabad

Political drama unfolded in Rampur and Moradabad Lok Sabha seats as confusion over Samajwadi Party nominees was resolved before the April 19 polls.

Former MLA Ruchi Veera was named the SP candidate for the Moradabad Lok Sabha seat, replacing sitting MP and pre-declared candidate ST Hasan. (SOURCED IMAGE)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 28, 2024 08:14 AM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Will Ram factor help BJP polarise Hindu votes in west UP?

Arun Govil, known for his role as Lord Ram in the popular TV show Ramayan, fielded as party candidate from his home town Meerut

BJP candidate Arun Govil during a press conference, in Meerut, on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Lucknow

Published on Mar 26, 2024 10:03 PM IST

ByS Raju

Case registered against RLD gen secy for MCC violation

Upendra received a complaint alleging that mobile phones were distributed among students of the Sanskrit college on March 18, following the declaration of the Lok Sabha election.

RLD’s national general secretary was invited to the function as the chief guest, hence his name was also included in the case. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 22, 2024 05:34 AM IST

ByS Raju

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan gets seven years’ jail in Dungarpur case, fined ₹8 lakh

Three others — former deputy superintendent of police Ale Hasan, former municipal chairman Azhar Ahmad Khan and contractor Barkat Ali — were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the Dungarpur case

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. (FILE PHOTO)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 19, 2024 05:20 AM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Rampur Tiraha Case: Two former PAC constables sentenced to life imprisonment

The additional district judge (ADJ) in Muzaffarnagar, while delivering the sentence on Monday, compared the Rampur Tiraha incident with Jallianwala Bagh tragedy and denied any sympathy towards the convicted PAC constables.

The convicted PAC constables were posted in 41st battalion of PAC which was camped in Ghaziabad during the time of incident. (Sourced)

Lucknow

Published on Mar 18, 2024 09:19 PM IST

ByS Raju

Azam, 3 others convicted in Dungarpur case

To recall, Ehtesham Khan, a resident of Dungarpur, had lodged a report in Ganj Kotwali in 2019 in which he accused Azam Khan, Ale Hasan, Azhar Khan, contractor Barkat Ali, Farhan Khan, Jibran and Omendra Chauhan of entering his house, beating and abusing him, threatening to kill him, looting ₹25,000 and forcibly taking possession of his house.

Azam and three others were convicted under sections 425 (house trespass or assaulting a person), 427( mischief causing damage to the amount of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>50 and more), 504 ( intensional insult) and 506( criminal intimidation) of the IPC. (HT File)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 17, 2024 08:08 AM IST

ByS Raju

Police exam paper leak: Another accused arrested from Haryana

An STF press communique informed that the investigating team had arrested six members of the gang from Meerut on March 5 and during interrogation they revealed the name of Mahendra Sharma of Dhadhrath village under Pillukhera police station of Jind district in Haryana. A joint team of STF and Kankerkhera police raided a place in Jind and arrested Sharma.

Police have registered a case against Mahendra in Kankerkhera police station under sections 420/467/468/471 and 120b of IPC and UP Public Examination ( Prevention of unfair means) Act, 1998. (Pic for representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 14, 2024 05:52 AM IST

ByS Raju

Waiver of electricity bills: U.P. farmers reject govt move, term it conspiracy to install meters

Farmers in Uttar Pradesh reject conditional waiver of electricity bills for tubewells, fearing it's a tactic to install meters. They plan to resist and launch a movement against the government.

Other Cities

Updated on Mar 11, 2024 06:04 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Sparrow colony in Bijnor: Efforts afoot to protect numbers of ubiquitous bird

The state government’s decision to develop a sparrow colony here will attract tourists, birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts

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Published on Mar 08, 2024 06:12 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Baghpat: Will RLD gain back foothold with none from Charan Singh’s clan in fray?

Former Union minister Ajit Singh represented Baghpat in Lok Sabha in 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2009

Ex-PM Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was recently conferred the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, won the seat in 1977, 1980 and 1984. (HT file)

Lucknow

Published on Mar 05, 2024 08:35 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

RLD declares names of two Lok Sabha candidates from Baghpat, Bijnor

The RLD, which formally joined the BJP-led NDA last week, on Monday declared its candidates on two seats in Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha elections.

RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary (right) with BJP president JP Nadda in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI)

India News

Updated on Mar 05, 2024 08:46 AM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Loyalist Sangwan rewarded for his dedication

“It’s indeed a significant reward bestowed upon me by my party and Jayant ji, and I will try my best to live up to his expectations,” said Sangwan, who emerged from student politics and currently serves the party as the national organisational secretary.

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 04, 2024 10:13 PM IST

ByS Raju

Darul Uloom refuses to close its website, police deny asking for closure

The seminary’s spokesperson Ashraf Usmani said that the matter came up for discussion in the meeting of ‘ Shoora’ ( executive council) which concluded on Thursday, and its members unanimously refused to close the website. Ashraf said that the website of the fatwa department was launched in 2008. It had a collection of over 60,000 fatwa and it received 20 million hits and searches every month from across the globe.

The seminary’s spokesperson Ashraf Usmani said the website of the fatwa department was launched in 2008. It had a collection of over 60,000 fatwa and it received 20 million hits and searches every month from across the globe. (Pic for representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 03, 2024 07:50 AM IST

ByS Raju

Fatwa on website:No ground for lodging FIR against Darul Uloom of Deoband, say police

In a letter addressed to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Saharanpur , National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Priyank Kanoongo highlighted the commission’s concern regarding a fatwa published on the Darul Uloom Deoband’s website. The fatwa in question discusses the concept of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’ and allegedly glorifies “martyrdom in the context of India’s invasion”.

Spokesperson of Darul Uloom of Deoband Ashraf Usmani explained that the matter was posted on the fatwa website of the seminary in 2008 and it was simply a reference of Hadith about Gazwa-e- Hind and none of the Mufti made any comment on it. (Pic for representation)

Lucknow

Updated on Mar 02, 2024 08:52 AM IST

ByS Raju

Six arrested after two murders in Muz’nagar village

A clash occurred on Tuesday evening when one Harimohan and his sons allegedly attacked Ankit, 26, in the market and killed him. When this news reached Ankit’s kin, they chased the accused and attacked them with sharp-edged weapons. Harimohan’s son Rohit sustained serious injuries and two people from both sides were also injured.Rohit was taken to the primary health centre in Khatauli where doctors declared him dead after examination.

The two murders have sent a shock wave in the village. (Pic for representation)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 28, 2024 05:14 PM IST

ByS Raju

Shafiqur Rahman Barq: Imposing Muslim face of Sambhal, adjoining areas

The SP MP, who died on Feb 27 aged 94, worked with Chaudhary Charan Singh and also remained a strong voice of Muslim politics

Shafiqur Rahman Barq was a five-time MP. (HT file photo)

Lucknow

Published on Feb 27, 2024 08:14 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul, Priyanka target govt over ‘paper leaks’

Yatra passes through three constituencies in Moradabad where BJP suffered defeat in 2019; Danish Ali joins in Amroha

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, in Moradabad on Saturday (ANI)

Lucknow

Updated on Feb 25, 2024 05:52 AM IST

ByS Raju, Sambhal

All eyes on political impact of Sambhal event

Sambhal Lok Sabha constituency, where the foundation of the Shri Kalki Dham temple was laid on Monday, was won by the BJP only once in 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Acharya Pramod Krishnan during foundation stone laying ceremony of Shri Kalki Dham at Anchora Kamboh in Sambhal on Monday. (HT PHOTO)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 19, 2024 06:09 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

Previous governments failed to respect faith, ensure livelihood, says Yogi

CM Yogi was addressing a gathering during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Shri Kalki Dham Temple at Ainchoda Kamboh village in Sambhal

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of Shri Kalki Dham temple, in Sambhal district on Monday. (ANI)

Other Cities

Published on Feb 19, 2024 06:05 PM IST

ByS Raju, Meerut

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S Raju

Election campaign in Muzaffarnagar sees contrasting styles: BJP's Balyan with grandeur, SP's Malik with simplicity, and BSP's Prajapati silently reaching out.

The Kshatriya community members had organised a similar panchayat in Kapsad village of Meerut district’s Sardhana area a few days ago

Village elders blame easy access to the internet and the availability of smartphones as a major reason for the waning significance of hookah chaupals and their political heft.

After a big victory in 2014, the BJP leader defeated the then Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Chaudhary Ajit Singh by a narrow margin of just over 6,000 votes in 2019.

Muzaffarnagar goes to polls in phase 1 on April 19. This nerve centre of OBC Jat politics, upper caste assertion and underlying Hindu-Muslim fissures saw a saffron shift post 2013 riots

Welcomed with garlands, showered with rose petals, and the beat of drums, people eagerly sought a glimpse of him, attempting to capture his image on their mobile phones.

RLD national vice-president Shahid Siddiqui sent his resignation to Chaudhary, saying democracy is at stake in the country.

Addressing the Prabudha Sammelan in Bulandshahr, CM Yogi lamented the state’s condition during previous governments and said that they followed a ‘riot policy’ which unleashed a reign of terror in Bulandshahr

PM Modi launched BJP's campaign in UP, targeting Opposition INDIA bloc for corruption, at a rally in Meerut with RLD's Jayant Chaudhary.

Jayant claimed that the prime minister’s concern for farmers was evident, as he personally conveyed his worries during a brief meeting after the Bharat Ratna was conferred upon Chaudhary Charan Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Highlighting the importance of a single vote, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath says it can change the fate of the country.

Political drama unfolded in Rampur and Moradabad Lok Sabha seats as confusion over Samajwadi Party nominees was resolved before the April 19 polls.

Arun Govil, known for his role as Lord Ram in the popular TV show Ramayan, fielded as party candidate from his home town Meerut

Upendra received a complaint alleging that mobile phones were distributed among students of the Sanskrit college on March 18, following the declaration of the Lok Sabha election.

Three others — former deputy superintendent of police Ale Hasan, former municipal chairman Azhar Ahmad Khan and contractor Barkat Ali — were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the Dungarpur case

The additional district judge (ADJ) in Muzaffarnagar, while delivering the sentence on Monday, compared the Rampur Tiraha incident with Jallianwala Bagh tragedy and denied any sympathy towards the convicted PAC constables.

Farmers in Uttar Pradesh reject conditional waiver of electricity bills for tubewells, fearing it's a tactic to install meters. They plan to resist and launch a movement against the government.

The state government’s decision to develop a sparrow colony here will attract tourists, birdwatchers and bird enthusiasts

Former Union minister Ajit Singh represented Baghpat in Lok Sabha in 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2009

The RLD, which formally joined the BJP-led NDA last week, on Monday declared its candidates on two seats in Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha elections.

“It’s indeed a significant reward bestowed upon me by my party and Jayant ji, and I will try my best to live up to his expectations,” said Sangwan, who emerged from student politics and currently serves the party as the national organisational secretary.

The SP MP, who died on Feb 27 aged 94, worked with Chaudhary Charan Singh and also remained a strong voice of Muslim politics

Yatra passes through three constituencies in Moradabad where BJP suffered defeat in 2019; Danish Ali joins in Amroha

Sambhal Lok Sabha constituency, where the foundation of the Shri Kalki Dham temple was laid on Monday, was won by the BJP only once in 2014.

CM Yogi was addressing a gathering during the foundation stone laying ceremony of Shri Kalki Dham Temple at Ainchoda Kamboh village in Sambhal

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