FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Sensex, Nifty extend winning streak to 4th day Page 10 NATO Summit in Ankara: Trump to meet Zelenskyy, Erdogan NATION Oppn targets Fadnavis amid Mumbai monsoon mayhem Page 9 Haaland scores brace as Norway stun Brazil for maiden QF Page 12 Page 5 Amit Shah says citizenship process under CAA will be completed soon STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PM Modi in Indonesia to strengthen linkages with Indo-Pacific partners PM lauds Bengal’s heritage, recalls Dr Mookerjee’s role at Kolkata event: Kolkata, 6 July I n a significant message to the people of West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government will complete the process of giving citizenship soon. Speaking on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on Monday at Milan Mela Ground in Kolkata, the union home minister said, “We will complete the process of granting citizenship soon. Any problems or complications that remain in the process will be resolved and every eligible person will receive citizenship.” Mr Shah attended the programme organised to mark Mookerjee’s 125th birth anniversary and also took part in the Bhumi Puja ceremony for the proposed 125-foot statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee in New Town. Tuesday, 07 July 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually addressed a gathering at Milan Mela Ground in Kolkata on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, placing special emphasis on West Bengal’s cultural significance while recalling the leader’s contribution to national unity. Joining the programme through video conferencing due to a pre-scheduled travel commitment, Mr Modi said technology had helped him become part of the occasion despite being away. He praised the newly formed state government in Bengal for expanding the scale and grandeur of national celebrations and highlighted the recent observance of Paschim Banga Divas as an example of respect towards the state’s traditions. Referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as the fulfilment of one of Mookerjee’s major visions, Mr Shah recalled the circumstances under which Mookerjee had resigned from the government. “He gave his life for the cause. When the Nehru-Liaquat agreement came, Syama Prasad Mookerjee protested and said that the concerns of Hindus were not addressed. The concerns of Muslims in the country were addressed, but the issues of Hindus in Pakistan were ignored. That is why he resigned,” Shah said. “Today we have introduced CAA. We have done the work of granting citizenship to Hindus and we will complete the process for all those who are eligible. Syama Prasad Mookerjee had envisioned protection and dignity for displaced Hindus and we are fulfilling that vision,” he added. Mr Shah praised the newly formed government in West Bengal led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and highlighted a series of steps taken within a short period after the political change in the state. He said that schemes such as Annapurna Yojana, Ayushman Bharat and Lakhpati Didi had already been introduced in the state. • Related reports: Page 3 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 July Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta on the first leg of his three-nation tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, saying his week-long visit will be centred on strengthening India’s economic and strategic ties with key IndoPacific partners.The PM, who is heading a high-level delegation, was received at the airport by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. In a social media post on X, Mr Modi said, “Landed in Jakarta. I’m touched by President Pahalgam terror attack: Pak based LeT chief Hafiz Saeed named by NIA Court seeks Centre’s response to Gymkhana Club plea over estate office’s eviction notice STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 July Delhi High Court has sought the Central government’s response to the pleas submitted by Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC) members and staff challenging the estate officer’s eviction notice under the Public Premises Act concerning. The court issued a notice to the Centre and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the hearing, scheduled for 7 July before the estate officer is adjourned to a day after the next hearing date in the matter on 28 July. On 29 June, the estate officer issued a summons to the club’s representative, asking him to appear on or before 7 July to explain why the eviction proceedings should not continue as per the earlier eviction order. Meanwhile, the Solicitor General also informed the court that the government would file its response to the applications concerned. The matter was listed in the court on Monday, where the counsel for club representatives’ advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi Singhvi briefed by advocate Naman Joshi appeared for the DGC WhatsApp defers username feature rollout in India amid govt review STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 July Meta- owned messaging platform WhatsApp has assured the Central government that it will not introduce its proposed username feature in India until ongoing consultations with authorities are concluded, according to sources familiar with the development. The government has also granted WhatsApp an additional three days to respond to its notice seeking details about the proposed feature. The company’s earlier deadline to submit its response had expired on Friday. The proposed feature would allow users to connect on WhatsApp using unique usernames instead of sharing their mobile phone numbers. Last week, the Centre issued a formal notice to WhatsApp, raising concerns that the feature could increase the risk of online fraud, phishing attempts and identity impersonation. The government asked the company to defer the rollout until discussions on security and consumer protection issues are completed. A delegation from Meta met officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Friday to discuss the matter. Responding to frequently asked questions on social media platform X, the company said users would not be required to create a username. It also clarified that existing usernames linked to Instagram and Facebook, as well as those belonging to public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta Verified accounts, have been reserved to ensure they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. members, while Jayant Mehta briefed by Yash Johri appeared for the club workers. The Solicitor General appeared for the centre and sought time to file a reply to the application of the members, saying the hearing before the EO was scheduled for 7 July. However, he informed the court that the members could seek time before the EO and the government would not oppose it. Since the next hearing date before the HC is 28 July, the parties will, therefore, request the EO to take up the matter after that date. Meanwhile, the centre says that the land parcel on which the club operates is located in a highly sensitive and strategic area of the national capital, and is, therefore, required for bolstering defence infrastructure. A garlanded memorial poster honours the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, commemorating the 26 civilians killed when terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire at Baisaran meadow, in Jammu on 22 April. AGENCIES STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jammu, 6 July Homage Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee at the Vice President’s House (Uparashtrapati Bhawan) on the occasion of his 125th birth anniversary, in New Delhi on Monday. UNI PHOTO Ram Mandir theft: Trust accepts resignations of Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, names interim general secy Alld HC rejects demand for CBI probe in Ram Mandir theft case: VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 6 July The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday accepted the resignations of General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra in the wake of allegations linked to financial misappropriation at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, assuring a complete “overhaul” of the system. “The Trust has accepted the resignation of Champat Rai from the post of General Secretary and trustee Anil Prabowo Subianto’s gesture of welcoming me at the airport.’’ He recalled that in 2018, India and Indonesia elevated bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has benefitted the two people. “During this visit, President Prabowo Subianto and I will hold discussions aimed at adding even more momentum to this partnership across diverse sectors,” he added. The PM said he and President Prabowo will visit the Prambanan Temple complex at Yogyakarta to ensure closer cultural linkages between the two nations. He said he also looks forward to interacting with the Indian community in Indonesia. Earlier, in a statement before embarking on the tour, the PM said the engagements would help deepen cooperation with three trusted developmental partners and further India’s expanding outreach across the Indo-Pacific. “Over the next few days, I will be attending various programmes in Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. The aim of these meetings would be to boost economic and strategic cooperation with these valued developmental partners and ensure the youth of our nation get more opportunities in the times to come,” he said. During the visit, Mr Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with the leaders of the three countries, with discussions likely to cover trade and investment, defence and maritime security, technology, education, clean energy and people-to-people ties. Mishra,” said Treasurer Swami Govind Dev Giri. “Champat Rai, serving as General Secretary, was deeply pained. He felt it inappropriate to continue in his role until justice is fully served, meaning the culprits are apprehended and receive appropriate punishment. Driven by this sentiment, he tendered his resignation, a matter that was not ours to simply accept or reject. Under the Trust’s constitution, a resignation is deemed accepted the moment it is submitted,” he said. Lucknow: The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged “offering theft” case involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Trust in Ayodhya. The court observed that a similar matter is already pending before the Supreme Court and, therefore, there is no need for intervention at this stage. The petition was filed by Mohit Ashok, seeking a direction to the CBI to investigate the alleged irregularities. Additional Advocate General Vinod Shahi and Chief Standing Counsel Shailendra Singh, appearing for the state government, informed the court that a petition relating to the same issue is already pending before the Supreme Court. Therefore, hearing the matter in the High Court would not be appropriate. Govind Giri announced that trustee Krishna Mohan had been given additional duties as interim General Secretary of the Ram temple trust. He also displayed the ornaments of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, saying that donors are welcome to come and see them. Special invitee member Gopal Rao was also reportedly removed from the position of the invitee member of the Trust. Earlier, Trust member Mahant Dinendra Das Maharaj blamed Rao for the controversy surrounding the donation embezzlement case, accusing him of politicising the issue, saying that the “entire fault” lay with him. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed charges against Pakistanbased terrorist and LeT/TRF chief and founder Hafiz Saeed in the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack case. As per the official handout, in its supplementary chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, the anti-terror agency has charged Hafiz Saeed in his individual capacity and also as the chief of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit and its active proxy organisation, The Resistance Front (TRF). The accused has been charged under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, it read. NIA has also invoked the penal section against the accused for waging war against India and hatching a conspiracy from across the border, the chargesheet further read. The chargesheet, filed in continuation of the original 1,597-page chargesheet, provides details of Pakistan’s conspiracy, Hafeez Saeed’s role, and supporting evidence collected by NIA in the case through meticulous scientific investigation and on-ground examination. It also read that in its earlier chargesheet filed on 15 December 2025, NIA had chargesheeted Pakistani handler terrorist Sajid Jatt as an accused, along with three terrorists killed by THE CHARGESHEET, FILED IN CONTINUATION OF THE ORIGINAL 1,597-PAGE CHARGESHEET, PROVIDES DETAILS OF PAKISTAN’S CONSPIRACY, HAFEEZ SAEED’S ROLE, AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE COLLECTED BY NIA IN THE CASE THROUGH METICULOUS SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION AND ON-GROUND EXAMINATION. security forces during Operation Mahadev in July 2025, as well as two arrested accused. It had also charged the proscribed LeT/TRF terrorist organisation as a legal entity for its role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam terror attack. The deadly attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 involved religionbased targeted killings by the Pak-sponsored terrorists. Twenty-five innocent tourists and one local civilian were killed in the attack. An FIR (no. 25/2025) was initially registered by Police Station Pahalgam, district Anantnag. After initial investigation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the case was transferred to NIA by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. NIA continues to probe the case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU to unravel the complete conspiracy by Pakistan, which has been actively sponsoring terrorism on Indian soil from across the border.