FirstUp: Bharat Jodo Yatra in Bihar, SC on AMU... Today's big stories

It’s Tuesday. And there’s a big news day ahead. Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is in Bihar today. The Supreme Court’s constitution bench is set to resume hearing plea regarding the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University. The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Sanjay Raut’s brother Sandeep for questioning in BMC khichdi scam. Amit Shah is set to launch the computerisation project of Agricultural Rural Development Banks of states and Union Territories. And in the United States, the Federal Reserve will hold a two-day policy meet. Let’s take a look at today’s big stories: Bharat Jodo Yatra in Bihar Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has brought his Bharat Jodo Yatra to Bihar. The development comes just days after JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar left the INDIA bloc and returned to the fold of the NDA. Rahul last visited Bihar during the campaign for the 2022 Assembly polls. All eyes are on Rahul – who will hold a rally in Purnea district today.

Will Rahul take aim at his former ally Nitish?

Only time will tell. Rahul will be leave for West Bengal on Thursday via Araria district and will return to Bihar a few days later via Jharkhand. SC constitution bench on AMU The battle over the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University continues. The constitution bench of the apex court will continue hearing the hotly-disputed question. The Centre in previous hearing told the Supreme Court the AMU cannot be a minority institution given its “national character.” [caption id=“attachment_13361212” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Aligarh Muslim University. PTI file[/caption] The Centre, represented by Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, told the court AMU is not and cannot be a university of any particular religion or religious denomination as any university which has been declared an institution of national importance cannot be a minority institution. ED summons Sanjay Raut’s brother The BMC ‘khichdi scam’ is set to rumble on today. The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Sanjay Raut’s brother Sandeep in the money laundering case linked to the alleged ‘khichdi scam’ during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sandeep has been asked to depose before the central agency at its office in Mumbai.

His statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Suraj Chavan, a functionary of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, has been arrested in this case by the ED. Amit Shah to launch computerisation project Home minister Amit Shah is slated to launch a computerisation project for agriculture and rural development banks and Registrar of Cooperative Societies. According to an official statement issued on Sunday, Shah will launch the “computerisation project of ARDBs and RCSs of States/UTs”. The launch programme is being organised by the Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). “Computerisation of ARDBs and RCS offices of States/UTs is an important step taken by the Ministry of Cooperation. This project will modernize and enhance efficiency of the cooperative sector by bringing the entire cooperative ecosystem on a digital platform,” the statement read. Fed holds two-day policy meet The US Federal Reserve is set to begin its all-important policy meet on 30 and 31 January.

Are interest rate cuts coming?

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Or will the Fed hold the line? [caption id=“attachment_12919932” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The US Federal Reserve building is pictured in Washington. Reuters[/caption] Expectations that the Fed would ease monetary policy in 2024 after its most aggressive tightening cycle in decades fuelled an explosive rally in stocks and bonds in the final months of last year, boosting the S&P 500 to an annual gain of more than 24 per cent. Investors still believe rate cuts are coming, but some have started to question when the Fed will begin lowering borrowing costs and how quickly it will move. On this day… Gandhiji assassinated On this day in 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. The death anniversary of Gandhi, the father of the nation, is observed as Martyrs Day. Gandhi had left Birla House with his granddaughters when Godse approached him and fired three shots. Gandhiji’s last words were said to be ‘He Ram, He Ram.’ With inputs from agencies