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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Week on, Giani Gargaj addresses two events without disruption
After skipping address at the Akal Takht during the event organised to observe the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6 amid opposition from Harnam Singh Dhumma-led Damdami Taksal, acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has delivered his speeches at the highest Sikh temporal seats twice without any disruption during the key events. Before June 6, Dhumma had announced that they would not let Giani Gargaj deliver his 'sandesh' (message) during the event, citing that they do not accept him as a 'jathedar'. To avert the clash, Giani Gargaj skipped the address though he raised issues concerning the community in the 'ardas (prayer)'. After a week, the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind, the sixth guru of the Sikhs and Akal Takht's founder, was celebrated at the highest Sikh temporal seat. As acting jathedar of the Takht, Giani Gargaj delivered his speech without any hassle. On Monday, the foundation day of the Akal Takht was celebrated there. Again, Giani Gargaj addressed the devotees on the occasion. He faced no opposition during these events. However, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who has proximity with Dhumma, did not attend both the events. Days after 'Panj Pyare' of Takht Patna Sahib challenged the edict issued by the Sikh clergy at Akal Takht, Giani Gargaj put light on the history of the highest Sikh temporal seat to prove that Akal Takht is supreme and no can challenge its supremacy, while addressing on Monday. Jathedar Gargaj particularly appealed to Sikh youth, warning that efforts are being made today to disconnect them from their Guru through moral decay. He urged every individual to recognise their responsibility and ensure that Sikh youth remain connected to the faith. He also condemned the vulgarity being spread over social media, days after a social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur Bhabi, was murdered for allegedly spreading vulgarity.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kareena Kapoor Khan drops birthday wishes for Sonam Kapoor on her birthday as she turns 40
Picture Credit: Instagram Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor celebrated her 40 birthday on Monday, in an intimate yet star-studded gathering in Mumbai. The celebration brought together close friends and family from the film industry. Kareena Kapoor Khan recently shared her birthday wishes to the 'Neerja' actress calling her a "darling". Kareena Kapoor Khan shares a throwback photo Kareena Kapoor Khan with a touching message on social media shared a stylish throwback photo of the two actresses together from the film, 'Veere Di Wedding.' Kareena affectionately referred to Sonam as her "darling" and wished her more creativity, love, and joy in life. The captions read, "Happy Birthday to darling art more love more hug". The picture captured the duo's camaraderie, a bond that has grown stronger since their memorable collaboration in 'Veere Di Wedding.' Sonam and Anand Ahuja celebrate 7 years of marriage Sonam Kapoor is married to Anand Ahuja, an Indian businessman. The couple tied the knot on May 8, 2018, in a traditional Sikh ceremony in Bandra, Mumbai. To mark their seventh wedding anniversary on May 8, 2025, Sonam shared unseen pictures from their engagement and wedding festivities on her Instagram account. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 4BHK+Family Lounge+Utility room at 4.49Cr (All Incl)* ATS Triumph, Gurgaon Book Now Undo She wrote, "Absolutely no one compares to you. The love of my life. Always find me. @anandahuja eternity and beyond. #everydayphenomenal Happy Anniversary". On her acting front, after welcoming her son Vayu in 2022, she took a brief break from acting to focus on motherhood. Her last film appearance was in the 2023 crime thriller Blind, after which she has been selective about her projects. On the other hand, Kareena Kapoor was last seen in 'Singham Again,' which hit theaters on November 1, 2024. The film performed well at the box office. She is working on her upcoming film 'Takht,' directed by Karan Johar, scheduled for release on December 11, 2025. Takht is a historical drama with a star-studded cast. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Bluestar anniversary: To avert clash, jathedar delivers ‘sandesh during ardas
The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, with the Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering 'sandesh' (message) to the community during 'ardas' (prayer) to avert any clash. Instead of jathedar, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami felicitated the kin of Sikh leaders with 'siropa' (robe of honour) killed during the army action in June 1984. This is the first time in 25 years (1999) since the event became an annual affair, that a jathedar has not delivered a direct address to the community from the Akal Takht, thus avoiding any confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and some Nihang organisations, who had opposed Giani Gargaj's appointment as jathedar and had announced that they would not let him deliver 'sandesh.' In a surprise move, Giani Gargaj performed the 'ardas' at the end of which he raised issues concerning the Sikh community, what was called his 'sandesh.' He sought the release of Sikh prisoners; the unity of the panth; restrictions on wearing kakars (articles of faith) by Sikhs, and a prayer for Punjab not becoming a battleground in the India-Pakistan conflict. He also raised concern over ongoing efforts to blur Sikh identity and the issue of 'targeted killings' of Sikhs in the country. Interacting with the media at the Takht secretariat later, Giani Gargaj said, 'I gave my sandesh through ardas.' 'Sometimes we have to make such kind of decisions for the larger interests of the panth', he added. The jathedar stated that Punjab is the land sanctified by the Sikh Gurus, and seeds of hatred must not be sown here. Dhami presented 'siropas' to the kin of Sikh leaders after Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, the sons of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in Operation Bluestar, had backed Taksal's chief and had announced that they would not accept the 'siropa from the jathedar. Dhumma hailed SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami's role in this mutual understanding. On Friday, Dhumma reached the Takht with supporters, including armed nihangs. SGPC staff insisted only he enter the Takht building but allowed a few armed supporters along with him after an argument. The SGPC staff and Punjab Police personnel in plainclothes were on their toes to ensure order in the Golden Temple complex. SGPC employees escorted Giani Gargaj, who wore a black turban in protest of the army action, to the Takht, where Dhumma was made to sit in front of him. Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, who had backed Giani Gargaj, alleged that 'conservative forces' did not let Singh Sahib (acting jathedar) deliver his 'sandesh' properly and give siropa to kin of slain leaders. 'Causing disruption in the proceedings of Akal Takht is against the maryada and we condemn it', he added. Sarbat Khalsa-appointed acting parallel jathedar of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand also issued a separate 'sandesh' advocating unity in panth and burying the hatchets. The entire periphery of the Golden Temple near Akal Takht echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans raised by activists of different bodies including Dal Khalsa, SAD (A) and Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale). Scuffles broke out between SGPC staff and young nihangs after the latter were not allowed to enter the Akal Takht. An angry young nihang attempted to hit an SGPC staffer with his dagger after the event in the shrine complex but was overpowered by the staff and locked in a room with the help of cops in plain cloth. A big function was also organised at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, headquarters of Damdami Taksal at village Chowk Mehta in Amritsar district. Complete bandh observed in Amritsar On the call of radical organisations, a complete bandh was observed on Friday with almost all the commercial outlets, shops, showrooms, and shopping malls remaining closed. Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, IDH market, Lawrance Road, Ranjit Avenue markets and all other main commercial hubs wore deserted look and the cops kept a tight vigil to prevent any untoward incident. Services, including transport, were hit, while health services remained normal. Most of the residents preferred to stay at home. Banks and educational institutes also remained closed. However, health services remained normal.
Hindustan Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Op Bluestar anniversary: Jathedar skips ‘sandesh' amid opposition from radicals
The 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed peacefully at Golden Temple in Amritsar amid tight security on Friday, while the Akal Takht acting jathedar did not directly deliver the traditional 'sandesh (message)' to Sikhs for the first time since 1999 though he raised issues concerning the community in the 'ardas (prayer)'. To avoid a confrontation with Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma and other radical leaders who had opposed his recent appointment as officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj performed the 'ardas', seeking the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners in jails even after completion of their terms); the unity of the Panth; and a prayer for Punjab not becoming a battleground in the India-Pakistan conflict. Interacting with the media at the Takht secretariat later, Giani Gargaj said, 'The sandesh was in the ardas.' Dhumma and other Sikh radical outfit leaders had opposed Gargaj's appointment as officiating jathedar, citing violation of 'maryada and Panthic traditions'. This was for the first time since 1999 that the jathedar neither delivered the address from Akal Takht nor did he felicitate Sikh families who lost their near and dear ones in the army operation to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in June 1984. Following damage to the Akal Takht building in Operation Bluestar, a new structure was built in 1998 and in 1999, radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa started observing the June 6 anniversary. On Friday, Dhumma reached the Takht with supporters, including armed nihangs. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staff insisted only he enter the Takht building but allowed a few supporters in along with him after an argument. The SGPC staff and Punjab Police personnel in plainclothes were on their toes to ensure order in the Golden Temple complex. SGPC employees escorted Giani Gargaj to the Takht, where Dhumma was made to sit in front of him. In a surprise move, Giani Gargaj led the prayers at the end of which he raised issues concerning the Sikh community. Since Ishar Singh and Inderjit Singh, the sons of militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who was killed in Operation Bluestar, had backed Dhumma by announcing that they would not accept the 'siropa (robe of honour)' from Giani Gargaj, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami honoured family members of Sikh leaders who died in the army action in 1984. The entire periphery of Golden Temple near Akal Takht echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans raised by activists of the Dal Khalsa, former MP Simranjit Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), his associate and former MP Dhian Singh Mand, who was appointed acting jathedar at the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa. Mand issued a separate 'sandesh'. Meanwhile, a bandh was observed in key markets of Amritsar on a call given by the Dal Khalsa. Shops and offices were closed in Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, Lawrence Road and Ranjit Avenue. Traffic was thin amid tight security.
News18
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Bhumi Pednekar Reveals What Keeps Her 'High' During Shoot, Shares BTS Photos
Last Updated: She is currently seen in a web series The Royals and the makers have also announced the next season. Bhumi Pednekar, known for her versatile performances, recently gave fans a candid glimpse into her on-set life. Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos from her latest shoot and also revealed what keeps her 'high" during shoots. She was spotted drinking tea along with Bun Maska. The photos grabbed everyone's attention and went viral. In the photos, we can see her enjoying the chai and bun maska combination. She also mentioned that it is ultimate. One of the fans wrote, 'You are free spirit who loves to try new things so the time! That's all" Another wrote, 'Pav bhaaji khao bhatura bun jaon." She is currently seen in a web series The Royals and the makers have also announced the next season. Recently, Bhumi Pednekar shared the behind-the-scenes (BTS) videos and appreciation posts for the co-stars. Speaking of which, the lead actress recently shared a montage video on her social media giving fans a glimpse of her fun time at the sets. The Instagram video opens to show Bhumi standing by a pool wearing a stunning bikini and sarong. It then shifts to show the actress grooving with a team member, practising horse riding for a scene and smashing a chocolate bar with a hammer. Following this, she was again seen dancing. The video also captured moments of her enjoying the beautiful sunset at a beach, listening to a guitar tune and playing with a dog. Coming to The Royals, the Netflix series revolves around Aviraaj Singh (Ishaan Khatter), a modern-day prince, and Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), the ambitious CEO of a luxury homestay startup. The rom-com show depicts how the two fell in love while transforming the struggling haveli of Morpur into a unique luxury B&B experience. Talking about Bhumi Pednekar's upcoming projects, the actress will be next seen in the web series Daldal. The show, which will be released on Prime Video, will feature her in the role of a cop. The filming of the series has already been completed, but the release date is yet to be announced. She also has Karan Johar's grand historical drama Takht in her pipeline. Originally announced in 2020 with a star-studded ensemble including Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Anil Kapoor, the filmmaker recently announced that the film has been shelved for now but not cancelled. First Published:
