MP Evening Wrap:Muslims offer Eid Namaz wearing black armbands; PM Modi stresses to keep sea routes open

Bhaskar English brings you the biggest news from Madhya Pradesh and around the world. Here are the top news headlines of the day:
1. Modi dials Iranian President, stresses to keep sea routes open The US-Israel-Iran war has entered its 22nd day. On Saturday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Iranian President over the phone and extended greetings on Eid and Nowruz. During the conversation, he condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, noting that they harm regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. Read More 2. Muslims offer Eid Namaz wearing black armbands After the completion of 30 days of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated across the state, including in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Ujjain. In Bhopal, Eid was announced for Saturday, March 21, after the moon was not sighted on Thursday. The announcement was made by city Qazi Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadvi. Read More 3. Madhya Pradesh tops forest land conversion list with 22% share Known for having the largest forest area in India, Madhya Pradesh has suffered a major setback to its image. According to the latest report “State of India’s Environment 2026” released by the Centre for Science and Environment, the state accounts for the highest share (22%) of forest land conversion for non-forest use in the country over the past decade (2014–15 to 2023–24). Read More 4. BJP releases new candidate list for Kerala, Assam and Puducherry Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday released fresh lists of candidates for upcoming assembly elections in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. The party announced nine candidates for the Puducherry Assembly elections. It also released the third list of 11 candidates for the Kerala Assembly polls. Additionally, the BJP issued a list of two candidates for the Assam Assembly elections. Read More 5. Encroachments choke Bhopal’s Bada Talab lifeline Encroachments on Bhopal’s lifeline, Bada Talab, have crossed all limits, tightening their grip from all sides. Government reports have flagged the issue, but action has largely remained on paper. Following a rebuke from the NGT (National Green Tribunal), officials have now begun surveys. Dainik Bhaskar captured the scale of encroachment using drone footage from 200 feet. Read More 6. Nihang Sikhs chase, thrash toll workers in Seoni, sword and stick attack caught on CCTV In Lakhnadon police station area of Seoni district, Nihang Sikhs attacked toll workers at Madai toll plaza located on National Highway 44 on Friday. The incident happened in the afternoon, whose CCTV footage emerged late at night. According to information, people traveling in three vehicles, were trying to break through the boom barrier without paying toll. When toll workers stopped them, they started abusing. Read More 7. Airlines warn of airfare hike, blames it on Centre Indigo, Air India, and SpiceJet have opposed the government’s decision not to charge extra for 60% of flight seats. Airlines say that this move will force them to increase airfares to compensate for their lost revenue. Read More 8. Doctor’s wife burned alive as car catches fire in Sagar A moving car suddenly caught fire on Sagar’s Garhakota Road around 4 AM on Saturday. In the incident, a doctor’s wife was burned alive inside the vehicle, while the doctor managed to escape in time and survived. Police and fire brigade teams rushed to the spot after receiving information and brought the blaze under control. In the initial probe, the case is being treated as suspicious. Read More 9. ‘He’ll die,’ voice warns but mob doesn’t stop- truck driver beaten to death in Ratlam A video surfaced on Friday night shows a brutal assault on two truck-driver brothers from Rajasthan in Ratlam district. The incident took place on Wednesday night at a tea stall near Bilpank, where eight men allegedly attacked the brothers with sticks, iron rods and kicks, killing the younger sibling. Police have registered a murder case and arrested seven accused, who were produced in court and sent on two-day police remand. Read More 10. Asim Munir threatens Shia clerics at iftar, says ‘go to Iran if you love it’ Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told Shia clerics that those who “love Iran so much should go there,” a statement Shia leaders described as insulting and provocative. Read More