Morning Brief: Trudeau’s Officials Acknowledge Conspiracy With Washington Post To Smear India; 'It's Ayodhya’s Turn To Prove Itself,' Yogi Tells Temple Town; And More

Dear reader, make sense of the day’s news with Swarajya's roundup of what’s making headlines this morning. 

Trudeau’s Officials Admit Intel Handout To WaPo To Smear India

Two senior officials from Justin Trudeau's government admitted to leaking intelligence and sensitive information about India to the Washington Post before Canadian police publicly linked the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar to Indian agents.

Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison, addressing a parliamentary panel, revealed that he confirmed to the journalist that a high-ranking official in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was allegedly involved in plots targeting Sikh separatists in Canada.

However, Trudeau’s national security and intelligence adviser, Nathalie Drouin, contradicted Morrison, claiming, "This is not the information we provided to the (Washington Post) journalist." Drouin stated that while no "classified intelligence" was shared, the leak was part of a "communications strategy" crafted by her and Morrison to relay Canada’s side of the dispute to American media. She clarified that Trudeau's authorisation was not needed and that the Prime Minister’s office oversaw the strategy.

'It's Ayodhya’s Turn To Prove Itself,' Yogi Tells Temple Town

As Ayodhya celebrated the eighth edition of Deepotsav, its first since the consecration of the Ram Temple, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath urged residents of the temple town to “prove” themselves. Addressing the crowd, he remarked, “Since 2017, everything you’ve asked for has happened here. You asked for the Ram Temple to be built, and now, it stands completed with Ram Lalla consecrated.” He emphasized that the "double engine government" had fulfilled its promises, stating, “Now, it’s Ayodhya’s turn to prove itself."

Adityanath’s statements followed the BJP’s recent defeat in the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, which includes Ayodhya, to the Samajwadi Party (SP) despite the Ram Temple’s inauguration being a campaign focus. Additionally, a bypoll for Ayodhya’s Milkipur Assembly segment, vacated by SP’s Awadhesh Prasad upon his election as Faizabad MP, is forthcoming. During the Deepotsav event, Adityanath also criticised the SP, accusing them of “shedding blood of Ram Bhaktas in Ayodhya.”

Other Developments

Rajnath Singh In Arunachal Just Days After Patrolling Pact With China

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in Arunachal Pradesh just days after finalising a patrol agreement with China to restore peace along the Line of Actual Control. His visit to Tawang is significant, as it has been a major flashpoint in India-China relations, particularly following a clash in December 2022.

Singh is scheduled to inaugurate the Museum of Valour, dedicated to Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing, and unveil a statue of Sardar Patel. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu praised Khathing's historic expedition to establish Indian administration in Tawang. In Tezpur, Singh reviewed infrastructure development along the LAC and advancements in military technology to enhance operational efficiency.

China’s Factory Activity Returns To Expansion

China’s factory activity showed growth in October, supported by recent government measures, ending five months of decline and suggesting a potential economic recovery. The official manufacturing index, which reflects the mood among factory owners, rose to 50.1 in October from 49.8 in September, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This result exceeded economists' expectations of 49.5, with a score above 50 indicating growth. However, the new export orders index for manufacturing slightly dropped to 47.3 in October, down from 47.5 in September.

Canada's Likely Next PM Scraps Diwali Event Without Explanation 

Shiv Bhasker, the event organizer and president of Overseas Friends of India Canada, stated that no explanation was provided for the cancellation. He described the move as "discriminatory" and "insensitive," emphasizing that the event was intended to honor Diwali, a festival of great significance to the Indo-Canadian community.

From The States

Maharashtra: 'Not A Rebel,' Says NCP's Nawab Malik

NCP leader Nawab Malik, chosen by the Ajit Pawar-led party to run from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Assembly seat, stirred Mahayuti allies BJP and Shiv Sena, declaring he was the NCP's official candidate, not a rebel.

Malik stated, "I am not a rebel; I am an official NCP candidate. This seat was allocated to us, but when my name was announced, Shiv Sena and BJP opposed me. They’re free to run against me or my daughter, and we’re ready to face them.”

His daughter, Sana Malik, is also contesting, running for Anushakti Nagar, where Malik previously won twice. A rift surfaced within the Mahayuti alliance when NCP named Malik its candidate while BJP selected Suresh Krishna Patil as Mahayuti’s official choice. Malik initially filed his nomination as an independent but was later confirmed as the NCP candidate, leaving BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena surprised.

Bihar: Prashant Kishor's 'Clean' Pledge Crumbles

In stark contrast to poll strategist Prashant Kishor's call for candidates with a "clean image" in politics, three of the four candidates contesting bypolls for his newly formed party, Jan Suraaj, have serious criminal charges against them, including kidnapping and assault. This information emerged after the candidates submitted their affidavits to the EC for the elections in Belaganj, Imamganj, Ramgarh, and Tarari.

Shockingly, 75% of the candidates from Jan Suraaj are reported to have a "tainted image," leaving political experts puzzled. Jitendra Paswan, the party's candidate from Imamganj, has multiple criminal cases, including kidnapping and theft, as stated in his affidavit. Similarly, the Belaganj candidate, Mohammad Amjad, and Ramgarh's Sushil Kushwaha also face significant criminal allegations, including attempt to murder.

Karnataka Rethinks Free Bus Ride Scheme For Women

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Tuesday that the government will reevaluate the Shakthi scheme, which offers free bus rides for women, after receiving feedback from many women who prefer to pay for their tickets. He noted that these preferences were communicated via social media and emails. Shivakumar mentioned that 5-10 percent of women have reported issues with conductors not accepting payment even when they offer it. He plans to hold a meeting with Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to discuss the matter further.

Diwali Read From Swarajya

Temple Lights Rekindle A Civilisation’s Ancient Flame

"Imagine Valmiki and Tulsidas meeting on the banks of the Sarayu before the janmasthan temple. Would they debate the nuances of their respective Ramayanas? Nay, they would be united in their devotion, their sahridhya hearts overflowing with Sri Rama bhakti", Aravindan Neelakandan writes. Read the full article here.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.