FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW Page 13 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing a batch of petitions challenging the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which have been assailed for allegedly excluding students and staff belonging to the general category from the grievance redressal mechanism. The challenge to the UGC’s equity regulations was mentioned for urgent listing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who indicated that the Court was aware of the controversy surrounding the newly notified framework. “We know what’s happening. Make sure the defects are cured. We will list it,” the Chief Justice said. Kolkata, 28 January Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that the people of Bengal would not be swayed by “volumes of lies and double standards.” Addressing a massive gathering at Singur just over a week after Mr Modi held a rally at the same venue, Miss Banerjee remarked: “On one hand, he speaks in Bengali to win the hearts of the people, while on the other, his party beats and even kills migrant workers for speaking Bengali. This cannot be tolerated, and the people of Bengal will never forgive the BJP for its cruelty and oppression.” The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering after STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE WHEN DISASTER STRUCK A t Ajit Pawar’s business jet was cleared to land minutes before it crashed on Wednesday morning, according to the civil aviation ministry. Baramati, 28 January jit Pawar, the powerful deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning while the aircraft was landing at Baramati airport. The death of the Maratha strongman and nephew of Sharad Pawar, which is being seen as the end of an era, shocked political circles and plunged the state of Maharashtra into mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tributes to the veteran politician. Mr Modi has said that he is “shocked” by the “untimely” death and described Pawar as a “leader of the people”. Pawar and four others died after the chartered plane they were travelling in crashed at the airport in Baramati at around 8:44 a.m. As the plane landed, it apparently developed a technical malfunction, caught fire, and crashed on the runway. Local administration, fire t The ministry stated that the Learjet 45 was instructed to descend under visual meteorological conditions, meaning there was enough visibility to navigate while keeping a safe distance from terrain and other aircraft, at the pilot’s discretion. handing over cheques to beneficiaries of the Banglar Bari (Rural Housing Scheme). In the second phase, 20 lakh people will receive Rs 1.20 lakh each to build houses. Earlier, 12 lakh people had already benefitted. The state government has spent Rs 38,400 crore under the scheme to assist people in constructing homes. Miss Banerjee said: “The Centre has not given a single paisa. We have spent the money. During his speech in Singur, he (PM Modi) spoke about Bengal’s development. Yet, you have not given us money for rural housing, rural roads, or water supply. You have deprived Bengal, and now you talk about development. You tell lies and loot people.” Miss Banerjee also inaugurated the Ghatal Master Plan virtually. “For the past 10 years, we have President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said the Indian government has sent out a clear message through Operation Sindoor that any terrorist attack on India will receive a firm and decisive response, adding that it is only with the spirit of fearlessness that the security of the nation can be ensured. t The operator cleared the plane to land at 8:43 a.m. There was no response. “Shortly after, at 08:44 IST, ATC observed flames near the threshold of Runway 11.” The wreckage came to rest on the left side of the runway. t Baramati is an “uncontrolled airfield,” and does not have navigational aids to help pilots operate during low visibility. ATC functions are managed by flying schools. t The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the investigation. brigade teams, and emergency services rushed to the spot immediately. However, due to the intensity of the fire and multiple explosions, rescue efforts proved unsuccessful. The aircraft involved in the accident was a Learjet 45, requested the Centre for funds. None were given. We have drawn up our own plan and allotted ₹1,500 crore. We have already released ₹500 crore, and work worth ₹300 crore has been completed. This will help combat floods in East and West Midnapore, Howrah, and Hooghly,” she said. Criticising the Election Commission of India, Miss Banerjee reiterated that its “unplanned SIR” had led to the deaths of 140 people. New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu’s reference to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act during her address to a joint sitting of Parliament on the first day of the Budget Session on Wednesday triggered protests from Opposition parties who objected to the scrapping of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). As slogans, such as “vapas lo” (roll back the Act), were raised, President Murmu had to take a brief pause. The government condemned the protests, saying the Opposition’s behaviour has brought shame to the country. “India has proved that power can be used with responsibility and prudence. The world has witnessed the valour and prowess of the Indian Defence Forces during Operation Sindoor. Using its own resources our country destroyed the base camps of terrorists,’’ she said, addressing a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the opening t During their approach to Runway 11, the aircraft reported that the runway was not visible. They then executed a go-around. t After the go-around, the aircraft was asked to report its position, and the crew confirmed they were on final approach. “They were instructed to report when the runway was in sight. The crew replied, ‘The runway is currently not in sight; we will call when it is.’ A few seconds later, they reported that the runway was visible,” the ministry said. Oppn protests during President’s address, govt calls it deplorable: New Delhi, 28 January Page 16 Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar dead in plane crash operated by VSR Aviation, with registration number VT-SSK. The jet is commonly used for VVIP travel and is designed to carry 8-9 passengers. An eyewitness near Baramati airport said: “The aircraft appeared to skid while landing. Recalling her long association with Singur, she said: “The people of Singur gave us food when we launched the movement. I observed a 26-day fast and promised to return land to the unwilling farmers. I fulfilled that promise.” She said that in Singur, a private industrial park will be developed on 77 acres of land, while an agro-industrial park will come up on 9 acres. “Both projects will provide jobs to local people,” she said. President Murmu: Any terror attack on India will receive firm, decisive response ASHOK TUTEJA ‘I was lucky’ says Djokovic after setting up Australian Open semifinal against Sinner PERSPECTIVE People of Bengal will not be swayed by lies: Mamata answers Modi at Singur STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Thursday, 29 January 2026 India, Europe bet on each other’s future Page 11 SC agrees to hear pleas challenging UGC’s equity regulations: | Page 9 Shankaracharya ends his protest on the 11th day 2 federal officers fired shots during encounter that killed Alex Pretti BRIEFLY MUMBAI SPORTS WORLD NATION | day of the Budget Session. The President stated that in line with the policy of the government, security forces have acted decisively against Maoist terror. For years, there has been an atmosphere of insecurity, fear and distrust in 126 districts of the country. Maoist ideology pushed the future of many generations into darkness.“Today, the challenge of Maoist terror has been reduced to just eight districts from 126 districts. Out of these, only three districts remain the most-affected. During the last one year, nearly two thousand individuals associated with Maoism have surrendered. This has brought back peace to the lives of lakhs of citizens,’’ she said, adding that the whole country is now witnessing transformation of the areas affected by Maoism. Speaking about India’s economic development, President Murmu said that over the past 11 years, the economic foundation of the country has grown stronger. Despite various global crises, India has remained the fastest growing major economy in the world, she said. She also welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. Moments later, there was a massive explosion and the plane was engulfed in flames. We rushed towards the site, but the fire was uncontrollable. There were several blasts. It was horrifying and impossible to save anyone.” Ajit Pawar is survived by his wife, Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar, and sons Parth and Jai Pawar. Soon after news of the crash broke, cousin Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Parth Pawar immediately left for Baramati. Supriya Sule and Sunetra were in Delhi attending the Budget Session of Parliament and rushed back without delay. Also killed in the incident were Capt. Sumit Kapoor, Pilot-in-Command, with over 16,000 hours of flying experience, and Capt. Shambhavi Pathak, First Officer, Pinky Mali, flight attendant and Vidip Dilip Jadhav, Ajit Pawar’s personal security officeer (PSO). The civil aviation ministry, quoting the Air Traffic Control (ATC) official at Baramati airport, said Pawar’s jet was cleared to land a minute before it crashed. The ministry stated that the Learjet 45 was instructed to descend under visual meteorological conditions, meaning there was enough visibility to navigate while keeping a safe distance from terrain and other aircraft, at the pilot’s discretion. The ministry added that the flight crew had also asked about wind conditions and visibility. The crew was told that winds were calm and visibility was approximately 3,000 metres. “During the final approach to runway 11, the aircraft reported that the runway was not visible. They then executed a go-around on their first approach,” the ministry said in a statement. After the go-around, the aircraft was asked to report its position, and the crew confirmed they were on the final approach. “They were instructed to report when the runway was in sight. The crew replied, ‘The runway is currently not in sight; we will call when it is.’ A few seconds later, they reported that the runway was visible,” the ministry said. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 11, but did not provide a readback of the clearance, the ministry said. “Shortly after, at 08:44 IST, ATC observed flames near the threshold of runway 11.” The wreckage came to rest on the left side of the runway. The ministry said Baramati is an “uncontrolled airfield,” with the ATC managed by flying schools. • Related reports: Page 5