FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 164 | BHOPAL | WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 26, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in P.15 Union minister gets angry; Verma apologises iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL MONEY Sports Bhopal’s judo stars shine in Hong Kong IAS officer’s remark on Brahmin girls snowballs into major issue ESTD-1983 Goyal pushes unified National Strategy to unlock export growth UJJAIN PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Cong democracy turns into drift P.10 World Trump to visit China in April on Xi invite DHWAJAROHAN UTSAV | Modi hoists saffron Dharma flag atop the newly built Ram temple with RSS chief Centuries-old wounds healing: PM in Ayodhya Biswajeet Banerjee AYODHYA Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The statement made by IAS officer Santosh Verma on Brahmin girls at a function of the Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Karmachari Sangh on Monday snowballed into a major issue on Tuesday. The Brahmins across the country tore into Verma throughout the day. The leaders of the BJP and the Congress were critical of the statement. The members of the Brahmin Samaj staged sit-ins across the state, demanding action against Verma. Meanwhile, Verma tendered an apology, saying his statement was twisted. ` 51k for blackening Verma’s face President of the Sanatani Sena, Bhagwati Shukla, has demanded the Chief Minister act against Verma as soon as possible. Or else, the person who blackens the face of IAS officer Santosh Verma will be given a reward of Rs 51,000. According to him, out of his 27-minute address, only the speech delivered for two seconds was made viral. He said he had no intention to say anything wrong about the girls of any community, and he only spoke about social equality. 4Continued on | P8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the wounds and pain of centuries “are healing today” as he hoisted a saffron Dharma flag atop the newly built Ram temple in Ayodhya, marking the formal completion of the temple’s construction. Calling the occasion the fulfilment of a 500-year-old resolve, Modi said the flag embodied the ideals of Lord Ram and symbolised the triumph of truth and righteousness. Modi, accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and chief minister Yogi Adityanath, raised the 10x20-ft triangular flag during the special Abhijit Muhurat, considered an auspicious period in Hindu tradition. Advocate ends life after cyber conmen’s terror link threat The flag, featuring a radiant Sun, the sacred ‘Om’ and the Kovidara tree, was described by the Prime Minister as a MUMBAI CM removes Raisen SP, reviews law and order Misrod and Teela Jamalpur police stn incharge removed Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Expressing strong displeasure over inability to arrest the rape accused involved in outraging the modesty of a minor girl in Raisen district, chief minister Mohan Yadav ordered removal of Raisen SP Pankaj Pandey on Tuesday night. He reached police headquarters at 8.15 pm and reviewed the state’s law and order situation. He expressed displeasure over lackadaisical attitude of police in handling chakka jam staged in Mandideep. On his orders, SP Pankaj Pandey has been attached to PHQ. He also expressed displeasure over carelessness with which police handled Mandideep road blockade. Misrod police station incharge Sandeep Pawar has been removed. Teela Jamalpura police station incharge Dinesh Pratap Singh has also been removed. He demanded an explanation from Bhopal police commissioner regarding the rising criminal incidents in the city. He sought details from him on all incidents. 4Continued on | P8 India and Canada are reportedly close to finalising a USD 2.8 billion agreement for uranium supply over the next ten years, according to The Globe and Mail. The uranium is expected to be supplied by Canada’s Cameco Corp, and China denies harassment of Indian woman PTI/BEIJING China on Tuesday dismissed allegations that an Arunachal Pradesh-born Indian woman was harassed at Shanghai airport, saying immigration checks were conducted lawfully. UK-based Indian citizen Pema Wangjom Thongdok, travelling from London to Japan on November 21, claimed she was detained for 18 hours after officials 4Continued on | P8 MISFIT FOR ARMY: SC upholds officer’s termination Agencies NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a former Army officer’s appeal against his termination, calling his conduct “the grossest kind of indiscipline.” The officer, Samuel Kamalesan, had challenged his dismissal after refusing to participate in regimental religious NEW DELHI India, Af resume cargo flights The MEA on Tuesday announced the initiation of two new air freight corridors connecting Kabul with Delhi and Amritsar to strengthen trade ties between India and Afghanistan. The MEA also said that both countries will appoint Commercial Representatives in their embassies and set up a Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry. symbol of awakening, dedication and centuries of collective effort. Addressing the gathering, Modi said the Dharma flag would serve as a “symbol of resolve” and guide citizens on a path rooted in awakening and commitment. He said the flag represents collective dreams carried forward through generations and fulfilled through the penance and perseverance of saints. 4Continued on | P8 India to sign 10-yr uranium deal with Canada BHOPAL 4Continued on | P8 PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated 'Panchjanya', constructed in honour of the sacred conch of Lord Krishna, in Haryana's Kurukshetra. The PM visited the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive experiential centre that features installations depicting significant episodes from the Mahabharata FP Online Our Staff Reporter A senior adv o c a t e hanged himself at his residence under Jahangirabad police station limits late on Monday night, after cyber conmen scared him, falsely accusing him of financing terrorists in the Pahalgam attack. He was also a BJP leader. A suicide note recovered from the spot revealed that the advocate was terrified at the prospect of being labelled as ‘anti national’. According to reports, senior advocate Shivkumar Verma (62) was a resident of Barkhedi area. His son works in Pune while his wife and daughter are in Delhi for medical treatment. ‘Panchjanya’ inaugurated Cabinet okays proposal for direct local body polls rituals inside the sanctum of a temple during his posting. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joyma- lya Bagchi upheld a Delhi High Court ruling that validated the Army’s decision, stating that Kamalesan’s behaviour was incompatible with military discipline. “Leaders must lead by example,” the bench observed. “You cannot impose your private interpretation of religion while in uniform.” Kamalesan’s counsel argued that entering the temple viol- ated his Christian faith and that he had otherwise participated respectfully in multifaith events. The bench rejected this defence, noting that the officer had ignored even a pastor’s advice that attending a regimental “sarva dharma” space would not violate Christian beliefs. 4Continued on | P8 SC pulls up Centre, states for non-functional CCTVs in PS MP a model state with every police station linked to central surveillance control room, says Bench IANS NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Centre and several state governments over their continued noncompliance with its directions mandating functional CCTV cameras in all police stations. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, hearing the suo motu case titled 'In Re: Lack of Functional CCTVs in Police Stations', observed that the Centre appeared to be taking the apex court "very lightly". The Justice Nath-led Bench took cognisance of a media report which revealed that 11 people had died in police custody in Rajasthan in the first eight months of 2025, seven of them in the Udaipur division alone. During the hearing, senior advocate Sidharth Dave, assisting the top court as amicus curiae, submitted a detailed chart highlighting the status of compliance received from various states. Dave added that most states had failed to address the Standard Operating Proce- dures (SOPs) required for installation, maintenance and data preservation of CCTV systems. The Justice Nath-led Bench remarked that Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a "model state", with every police station reportedly linked to a central surveillance control room. It took strong exception to the Centre's failure to file any affidavit or compliance report despite repeated directions. "The Union is still lacking in compliance. The Union is taking the court very lightly. Why?" the Justice Nath-led Bench asked. 4Continued on | P8 the deal may pave the way for broader nuclear cooperation, enhancing India’s energy security and fueling its expanding civilian nuclear programme. Officials from both sides have not yet issued formal statements, and Reuters has not independently confirmed the report. The development comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The meeting has helped reset bilateral ties, which were strained in recent years. Both leaders also agreed to revive stalled talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal to table a bill in the upcoming assembly session for conducting direct election to the post of chairperson in Nagar Palika and Nagar Parishad. Notably, from 1999 to 2014, direct elections were held for the post. In 2022, indirect elections were held. Rs 1 cr for martyr cop’s family The cabinet also approved the proposal to provide financial help of Rs 1 crore to the family of Ashish Sharma, inspector of the Hawk Force, Balaghat, who laid down his life while fighting naxals. Sub-inspector’s post will be given to his younger brother Ankit Sharma on compassionate ground. 4Continued on | P8 CM to review all depts Khajuraho to host cab meet The CM will review work of all departments from December 1-5. He will also see the planning for the next two years and the challenges that the departments face. A decision was taken to hold a two-day meeting of government departments in Khajuraho from December 8. The next cabinet meeting will also be held in Khajuraho.