Top news of the day: R. Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket; Opposition MPs protest in Parliament against Amit Shah’s Ambedkar remark, and more

Top news updates from The Hindu on December 18, 2024

India’s ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket after the end of the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane. The announcement was made during the post-match press conference after the Gabba Test. The spin-master ends his Test career with 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Test matches, the second-highest wicket-taker from India.

Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by Opposition members seeking an apology from Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged derogatory remarks against B.R. Ambedkar during his reply to the debate on the Constitution. Mr. Shah, in his speech in the Rajya Sabha yesterday (Dec. 17), had said there is now a “fashion” to keep repeating “Ambedkar, Ambedkar” but if the Opposition had taken God’s name so often, they would have reached heaven. This statement drew widespread condemnation across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stoutly defended Amit Shah from the Congress’ charge that he insulted B.R. Ambedkar in his speech in the Rajya Sabha, asserting that the Home Minister in fact exposed the party’s “dark history of insulting” the architect of the Constitution, leaving the main opposition “stung and stunned”. When it comes to Mr. Ambedkar, his government’s respect and reverence are absolute, the prime minister asserted.

The BJP is considering the names of its seasoned MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Nishikant Dubey as nominees for the parliamentary panel that will scrutinise simultaneous poll bills, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari are set to be among the Congress representatives, sources said. Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Tewari and Randeep Surjewala are the party’s members for the joint committee of Parliament on simultaneous elections. Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat from Jharkhand is the fourth nominee.

Delhi continued to be the most polluted place in India – for the third consecutive day – with the overall air quality of the national capital continuing to be in the “severe” category, according to official data. Delhi’s overall 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 441 (severe) at 9 a.m. on Wednesday (December 18, 2024), as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

The Supreme Court said that its “doors are open” for farmers protesting at the Delhi borders and asked them to either come directly or through their representatives to present their issues. Continuous meeting were held with Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death protest at Khanauri border, the Punjab Government informed the Supreme Court.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Starlink satellite beams were turned off over India, reacting to claims that its device was being used in restive Manipur. The security forces recently seized some internet devices along with arms and ammunition during a raid in Keirao Khunou in Imphal East district. Mr. Musk’s Starlink, which provides satellite internet services, does not have a licence to operate in India.