Today in History (April 28^th,1916)

In April 1916, Bal Gangadhar Tilak established the Indian Home Rule League, initially at the Bombay Provincial Congress in Belgaum. This league was formed with the goal of achieving self-government in India, inspired by the Irish Home Rule movement. Tilak’s league primarily focused on Maharashtra, Karnataka, Berar, and the Central Provinces.

Summary of Today’s News

Pahalgam Attack: PM Modi Vows Harshest Response and Emphasizes National Unity

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his “Mann Ki Baat” radio address, strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that the perpetrators and conspirators would be dealt with the harshest response.
• Expressing profound sorrow, PM Modi said that the killings had deeply hurt every citizen across India, transcending differences of state and language, and igniting a sense of collective pain and anger.
• He remarked that the brutal attack reflected the cowardice and desperation of terrorism’s patrons, who targeted Kashmir at a time when peace, development, and prosperity were making a significant return to the region.
• Highlighting the progress in Kashmir, he noted that schools and colleges were vibrant, construction activities were booming, democracy was strengthening, tourism was breaking records, incomes were rising, and new opportunities for youth were emerging.
• PM Modi emphasized that the enemies of the nation, particularly those hostile to Jammu and Kashmir’s progress, could not tolerate this positive change and hence orchestrated the conspiracy to destabilize the region.
• Stressing on the power of unity, he called upon all 140 crore Indians to stay united and resilient, asserting that national solidarity is the country’s greatest strength in the fight against terrorism.
• He informed that the terrorist attack had drawn global condemnation, with world leaders reaching out to offer condolences, express solidarity, and assure support to India and the bereaved families.
• Assuring justice for the victims, PM Modi reiterated that the government would ensure that those responsible for the attack are held accountable and punished.
• Additionally, PM Modi paid tribute to former ISRO chief and eminent scientist Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who recently passed away, acknowledging his significant contributions to science, education, and India’s space programme.
• He praised Dr. Kasturirangan for giving ISRO a new identity on the global stage, supervising critical satellite launches, and constantly championing the potential of Indian youth and advancements in space-science and modern education.

Gaza Conflict Escalates: Over 52,000 Palestinians Dead Amid Renewed Israeli Strikes

• The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 51 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes within the past 24 hours, raising the overall death toll from the 18-month Israel-Hamas war to 52,243.
• Israel resumed its offensive against Hamas on March 18 after ending a ceasefire, launching daily air strikes, expanding ground operations, and gaining control of approximately 50% of Gaza’s territory.
• The Gaza Strip’s two million residents have been under a strict blockade for nearly 60 days, cutting off food, medicine, and other essential supplies, with aid groups warning of imminent shortages and widespread child malnutrition.
• The recent casualty figures include nearly 700 bodies that were recovered and documented after being trapped under rubble from earlier strikes.
• Following the latest Health Ministry update, additional Israeli strikes killed 12 more people, including eight in Khan Younis (with three children and two women among the victims) and four in Deir al-Balah.
• Israeli authorities claim that the intensified military operations and blockade aim to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack, which had initially triggered the ongoing war.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue military action until Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and all hostages are freed.
• Hamas maintains it will only release the remaining 59 hostages — of whom 24 are believed to be alive — if Israel agrees to a full prisoner exchange, a permanent ceasefire, and complete withdrawal from Gaza, demands laid out in the now-defunct January ceasefire agreement.
• Gaza’s Health Ministry states that women and children account for the majority of Palestinian deaths, although it does not specify how many fatalities were combatants versus civilians.
• Israel claims it has killed around 20,000 militants throughout the conflict but has not presented detailed evidence to substantiate this figure, emphasizing that Hamas’s operations within civilian areas complicate efforts to avoid non-combatant casualties.

Former ISRO Chief K. Kasturirangan Cremated with Full State Honours in Bengaluru

• Former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan, who passed away at the age of 84 on Friday, was cremated with full state honours in Bengaluru on Sunday.
• His mortal remains were placed for public viewing at the Raman Research Institute, where dignitaries such as Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Ministers, eminent scientists, politicians, and members of the general public paid their final respects.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described Dr. Kasturirangan’s passing as a great national loss, highlighting his contributions not only to ISRO but also as a Rajya Sabha MP, a Planning Commission member, and the head of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
• Pradhan emphasized that Dr. Kasturirangan played a pivotal role in shaping India’s National Education Policy under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and praised him as both a visionary scientist and a remarkable human being.
• Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah echoed the sentiments of deep loss, calling Dr. Kasturirangan’s death an irreparable setback for India, especially in the fields of science, space research, and environmental advancements.
• Many current and former ISRO officials, including present Chairman V. Narayanan and former Chairman K. Sivan, visited the Raman Research Institute to pay homage to the revered scientist.