UP govt enacted the Prayagraj Mela Authority Bill and made the 6-yearly Ardh Kumbh into a full-fledged Kumbh.
By ET Bureau |
Agencies
Awar of words — or rather of numbers — has broken out in UP over the Kumbh Mela between what could be called the halfs and the half-nots.
According to age-old tradition, the Purna Kumbh, or Full Kumbh, takes place every 12 years in what was Allahabad, and is now called Prayagraj, at the confluence on the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, while a Maha Kumbh comes around every 144 years, or after 12 Purna Kumbhs.
Now, however, the Yogi Adityanath government has enacted the Prayagraj Mela Authority Bill and made the six-yearly Ardh Kumbh, scheduled to take place during January 15-March 4, into a full-fledged Kumbh, raising the hackles of the Opposition, led by Akhilesh Yadav’s SP, as well as of those who look askance at what they deem to be needless — and needling — tinkering with numeric nomenclature.
Despite such dissenting voices, Yogi Adityanath’s regime has decided to go ahead with the name change, perhaps in order to demonstrate to its critics that whether it is cracking down on crime, or organising a religious festival expected to be attended by millions, it doesn’t believe in half-measures.
Whatever is the final outcome of this updated version of the Ardh Shastra, this friction over a fraction shows that in a state that prides itself on being billed as the crucible of Indian politics, factionalism will have its day, Kumbh what may.
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Poll-Pourri: Sunny Deol, Urmila & Other Stars Who've Joined Politics
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It's counting day today and all eyes are on the political scoreboard. From seasoned to the newbies, a bunch of stars are trying their luck at the polls today. Actor-producer Sunny Deol, Urmila Matondkar and Gautam Gambhir are hoping to score on their debuts today.
Here are some film stars who have dabbled in politics over the years.
It's counting day today and all eyes are on the political scoreboard. From seasoned to the newbies, a bunch of stars are trying their luck at the polls today. Actor-producer Sunny Deol, Urmila Mat..
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Weeks before the 17th Lok Sabha elections kicked off, actress Urmila Matondkar shook hands with the Indian National Congress (INC). The 45-year-old actress was welcomed in the party by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.
The 'Rangeela' actress, who is contesting from the Mumbai North constituency against BJP MP Gopal Shetty, is hoping to score a victory.
Weeks before the 17th Lok Sabha elections kicked off, actress Urmila Matondkar shook hands with the Indian National Congress (INC). The 45-year-old actress was welcomed in the party by Congress chi..
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Actress Poonam Sinha, wife of actor Shatrughan Sinha, became a part of the SP in April this year. The 69-year-old is trying her luck against BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow.
Actress Poonam Sinha, wife of actor Shatrughan Sinha, became a part of the SP in April this year. The 69-year-old is trying her luck against BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow.
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada's ongoing political career kicked off in 1994 when she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In 2004, the 57-year-old became a part of the Samajwadi Party (SP). However, in 2010, she was expelled due to anti-party activities.
In March this year, Prada joined BJP. She is set to take on her friend-turned-foe, SP's Azam Khan, from Rampur today.
Actress-turned-politician Jaya Prada's ongoing political career kicked off in 1994 when she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In 2004, the 57-year-old became a part of the Samajwadi Party (SP). ..
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Singer Hans Raj Hans first stint with politics was in 2009 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He resigned from the party in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he joined the Congress party. However, he did not feel welcome in the Rahul Gandhi-led party. In the same year, he switched to the BJP.
In the 17th Lok Sabha polls, the singer is competing against Congress's Udit Raj from North-west Delhi.
If he proves victorious today, he will be one of the leading Dalit faces from the party.
Singer Hans Raj Hans first stint with politics was in 2009 when he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He resigned from the party in 2014. Two years later, in 2016, he joined the Congress party. ..
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'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' actress Shilpa Shinde joined the Indian political scene this year. Before confirming the news, she had to face heavy trolling on social media.
Few weeks later, the 41-year-old confirmed that she was keen on contesting the elections on a Congress ticket from Mumbai.
The 'Bigg Boss 11' winner's fate in politics will be decided today.
'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai' actress Shilpa Shinde joined the Indian political scene this year. Before confirming the news, she had to face heavy trolling on social media.
Few weeks later, the 41-year..
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Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty debuted in the Indian political scene this year. The 30-year-old contested elections from Jadavpur constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket (TMC).
Today's results could either mark the beginning of her political career or put it to an end to it altogether.
Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty debuted in the Indian political scene this year. The 30-year-old contested elections from Jadavpur constituency on a Trinamool Congress ticket (TMC).
Today's res..
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Another popular star of Bengali cinema who walked into the political world is Nusrat Jahan.
The 28-year-old contested Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency in South Bengal.
Now, the results will tell if the actress is set to embark on a political career or not.
Another popular star of Bengali cinema who walked into the political world is Nusrat Jahan.
The 28-year-old contested Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency in South Bengal.
Now, ..
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Malayalam star Suresh Gopi has had a rather long political career starting from his college days itself.
The 60-year-old, who was an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), was sworn as an MP for the Rajya Sabha in 2016. Later in the same year, Gopi joined the BJP.
This year, Gopi contested from Thrissur constituency. Today's poll results will tell what's next on the actor's to-do list.
Malayalam star Suresh Gopi has had a rather long political career starting from his college days itself.
The 60-year-old, who was an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM..
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Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj stepped into the world of politics in 2017. The 54-year-old initiated a political movement with the hashtag #justasking after the assassination of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
This year, the 'Dabangg 2' actor contested as an independent candidate from Bengaluru central. He was pitted against Congress's Rizwan Arshad.
Going by the results, the actor is currently trailing in his constituency.
Actor, director and producer Prakash Raj stepped into the world of politics in 2017. The 54-year-old initiated a political movement with the hashtag #justasking after the assassination of journalis..
