In an effort to prevent the division of secular votes and counter communal forces, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has expressed its willingness to join the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar ahead of the 2025 assembly elections. The party's letter to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav highlights their intention and also mentions previous failed attempts. The party has also conveyed this to other senior leaders of RJD, including Tejashwi Yadav, with the hope to “contest the Bihar assembly elections together."
On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of revered Jain spiritual leader Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inaugural ceremony of the year-long centenary celebrations. In his speech, PM Modi highlighted the eternal nature of Indian civilization and praised Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj as a symbol of this timeless philosophy. The event served as a reminder of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of India.
The Indian Prime Minister, currently on a five-nation tour, took to social media to pay homage to Swami Vivekananda on the revered monk's death anniversary. PM Modi highlighted Swami Vivekananda's enduring influence on Indian society and his emphasis on serving others and embracing India's rich heritage. Even after a century since his passing, Swami Vivekananda's teachings continue to inspire generations, promoting unity and compassion in a divided world.
In the midst of a controversial video surfacing showing a shopkeeper being assaulted for not speaking Marathi, Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam spoke out in defense of the state's official language and condemned acts of vigilantism. The incident has sparked a larger debate over linguistic identity and regional pride in Maharashtra. While emphasizing the importance of cultural and linguistic respect, Kadam also denounced the manner in which the situation escalated and called for individuals to not take the law into their own hands. A police investigation is currently ongoing.
Karnataka, known for its thriving tech industry, is proposing a bill that aims to address the spread of fake news and misinformation online. However, free speech activists are raising concerns about potential censorship and selective enforcement. The bill has not yet defined what constitutes as "fake news" or "anti-feminist" content, raising fears of potential misuse. The state government has stated that the bill will be open for public opinion before implementation.
Pope Leo XIV took time out of his busy schedule to visit children at the Vatican's summer camp and share some inspirational words. He emphasized themes of diversity, acceptance, and building bridges of friendship. The pontiff also encouraged the children to be advocates for peace and to see everyone as equals.
At the Saryu Jayanti Mahotsav in Ayodhya, CM Yogi Adityanath announced a plan to revive rivers by preventing sewage, drain discharge, and animal waste. He stressed the importance of rivers for the environment and agriculture and highlighted the economic benefits of clean rivers for tourism and local economies. The CM urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of this initiative, emphasizing the link between river health and the well-being of communities.
The cyber crime division of Bengaluru South has registered a case against Ateeq Shariff and the administrator of 'Mangalore Muslims' for posting derogatory content against one of the judges of the Karnataka High Court hearing the hijab case. The judge in question is part of a three-judge bench formed after Muslim girls were denied entry to college for wearing hijab. This comes amidst tension and communal strife over the government order banning certain clothing on educational campuses.
A viral video posted on social media has sparked outrage as former MP Rajan Vichare from Shiv Sena (UBT) is seen beating traders for not speaking in Marathi. This incident raises concerns about the safety of the business community in Maharashtra. This comes after a similar incident where MNS workers attacked a restaurant owner for not using Marathi, leading to the business community shutting down shops in protest. Traders across the state express fear for their safety and condemn such incidents that are detrimental to communal harmony and business sentiment.
Delhi has made history as the first Indian state to receive final clearance from the DGCA for conducting cloud seeding trials, a long-awaited solution to the city's severe air pollution problem. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the development, calling it a major step forward in Delhi's fight against air pollution. Cloud seeding involves dispersing particles to encourage rainfall and wash out pollutants from the atmosphere, and has been spoken about for years but never implemented. As Delhi faces a fuel ban on older vehicles, this clearance provides a glimmer of hope for cleaner air in the future.