Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday shared his deeply emotional experience of taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam with his family during the auspicious occasion of Maha Kumbh. He expressed his overwhelming feelings after bathing in the presence of revered saints at the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

Taking to X, Shah wrote, “I am overwhelmed and emotional after taking a dip in the presence of revered saints in ‘Maha Kumbh’, a symbol of social harmony and goodwill at the holy Triveni Sangam. I pray to Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna, and Maa Saraswati for the well-being of all.”

Shah further highlighted the importance of Maha Kumbh in fostering a sense of unity and pride among the people of India. He remarked that the event not only celebrates the nation’s rich Sanatan traditions but also strengthens the unity of the country. He performed Puja-Archana with his family on the banks of the Sangam, praying for the prosperity and progress of the people.

The Union Minister referred to the Maha Kumbh as a “unique symbol of the uninterrupted flow of Sanatan culture” and noted that it reflects the core philosophy of life based on harmony. He added, “Kumbh reflects our Sanatan philosophy of life-based on harmony.”

He further emphasized that the grand gathering at the Maha Kumbh, which promotes equality and harmony, is more than just a religious pilgrimage. It stands as a confluence of the country’s diversity, faith, and knowledge traditions, sending a message of unity to the entire world.

Ahead of the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday unveiled the party’s manifesto, titled “Kejriwal ki Guarantee”. In a bold statement, Kejriwal took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of copying AAP’s promise-based governance model.

“We coined the term ‘guarantee’ first in the country. After us, the BJP stole it, but the difference is, we fulfil our guarantees, and they do not,” Kejriwal said, emphasizing that AAP stands by its promises.

The manifesto outlines 15 key guarantees, with Kejriwal setting a clear tone for the upcoming election by focusing on key welfare programs aimed at improving the lives of Delhi residents.

Key Highlights of the AAP’s 2024 Delhi Manifesto:

1. Job Creation: Kejriwal’s first promise focuses on creating a robust job market for Delhi residents, ensuring employment opportunities across various sectors.
2. Mahila Samman Yojana: The second guarantee promises Rs 2,100 monthly financial support to women under the Mahila Samman Yojana.
3. Sanjeevani Yojana for Senior Citizens: Under this scheme, AAP promises free healthcare facilities for senior citizens.
4. Water Bill Waiver: The manifesto guarantees the waiver of outstanding “hiked” water bills, easing the burden on Delhi residents.
5. Clean Water Supply: A commitment to provide round-the-clock clean drinking water to every household in the city.
6. Yamuna River Cleaning: AAP has pledged to clean the polluted Yamuna River, with plans to make Delhi’s roads world-class.
7. Babasaheb Ambedkar Scholarship Yojana: Scholarships for SC and ST students to study abroad. Male students will also benefit from free bus rides and a 50% discount on metro fares.
8. Financial Support for Priests and Gurudwara Granthis: A monthly financial aid of Rs 18,000 for priests and Gurudwara Granthis.
9. Tenant Welfare: The extension of free electricity and water benefits to tenants, ensuring no one is left out.
10. Support for Auto and Cab Drivers: AAP promises financial assistance to auto and cab drivers, along with Rs 10 lakh insurance coverage and Rs 1 lakh for their daughters’ weddings.
11. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs): The party will allocate funds for RWAs to hire security guards and address local safety concerns.
12. Improvement of Sewage Systems: A comprehensive plan to enhance Delhi’s sewage system and ensure better living conditions for all.
13. Ration Cards: Issuing ration cards to those left out of the system, ensuring food security for every Delhi resident.

Kejriwal also reassured Delhi’s residents that the existing free welfare schemes—providing benefits worth approximately Rs 25,000 per month—would continue if AAP retains power.

“The BJP has already made it clear that they will stop all these schemes if they come to power. I want to ask the people of Delhi: will you be able to bear the cost if the BJP stops these benefits?” Kejriwal challenged the opposition.

A Referendum on Governance Philosophy

The manifesto is being presented as a reaffirmation of AAP’s governance philosophy, which prioritizes welfare programs and infrastructure improvements. With the BJP promising to disrupt the status quo, the upcoming polls are set to be a high-stakes contest, with the results due to be announced on February 8.

The elections will not just determine the future of Delhi but also serve as a referendum on AAP’s governance model, which has focused heavily on free welfare schemes and development programs.

In a candid conversation at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), former RAW chief AS Dulat cautioned that the apparent “happiness” among Kashmiris following the 2024 elections is only temporary. He emphasized the urgency of fulfilling the promise of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, warning that the credibility of both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the central government is at stake.

Statehood Promise Must Be Fulfilled for Credibility

Dulat, who headed India’s external intelligence agency from 1999 to 2000, expressed concerns over the prolonged delay in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “What’s Omar asking for? What does a Kashmiri expect? Article 370 is gone, and though Kashmiris still think about it, they know it won’t return. What they want now is statehood,” Dulat said.

According to Dulat, the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is in the best interest of both Delhi and Srinagar. He stressed, “It has to be done for the credibility of both sides. If not, Omar will lose his credibility, and so will Delhi.”

Temporary Joy Among Kashmiris

The former RAW chief cautioned that the “temporary happiness” on the faces of Kashmiris could fade quickly if there is no progress in restoring statehood. Dulat explained, “Right now, people are temporarily happy because they see it as a victory for Kashmiris. They have the government of their choosing, the National Conference, which is a regional party. It’s a victory for the Abdullah family. But this victory won’t last if they can’t get what they deserve.”

He added that if the central government fails to deliver on the promise of statehood within the next six months, Kashmiris will once again accuse Delhi of “playing tricks” and criticize their government for failing to deliver on its promises.

The Diarchy of J-K: Two Governments in Operation

Dulat highlighted the current political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir as a “diarchy” – with two parallel governments functioning in the region. One is led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and the other by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This dual governance structure, according to Dulat, complicates the region’s political landscape further.

A Complex and Nuanced Kashmir

Reflecting on his extensive experience with Kashmir, Dulat acknowledged the region’s complexities. “Kashmir taught me everything I know about intelligence,” he remarked, stressing that the region cannot be understood in black-and-white terms. “It’s filled with greys, nuances, and complexities. In Kashmir, it’s not about what we want or what they want; it’s about finding a middle path. That is the path that we need to tread,” he concluded.

KLF 2025: A Gathering of Global Minds

Dulat was speaking at the ongoing Kerala Literature Festival, which began on January 23, 2025, and is expected to draw over six lakh visitors before it concludes on Sunday. The event is hosting more than 500 speakers from 15 countries, including Nobel laureates Venki Ramakrishnan and Esther Duflo, Booker Prize-winning novelist Paul Lynch, and renowned actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, among others.

The festival, held at Kozhikode Beach, has become Asia’s largest literary gathering, attracting book lovers, authors, artists, historians, and activists to engage in a wide array of discussions and panels.