A video of a bank manager at an SBI branch in Karnataka refusing to speak in Kannada despite repeated requests from a customer has gone viral, sparking a language debate in the state. The customer argues that as per RBI rules, public servants in the state should speak the local language, while the manager firmly stands her ground and insists on speaking Hindi. The standoff has reignited the ongoing debate around the use of local languages in public services, causing widespread backlash.
In a show of solidarity, Gujarat Congress leaders have announced a mass gathering in Gandhinagar to protest against alleged discrepancies in the GPSC results. The party claims that candidates from marginalized communities have been unjustly given lower marks in the interview stage, leading to a denial of opportunities. Senior Congress leaders have met with affected candidates and accused the BJP-led state government of deliberately sidelining candidates from SC, ST, and OBCs. The protest aims to bring attention to this issue and demand a fair and unbiased selection process.
Speaking at the Rising North East Summit, PM Narendra Modi emphasized the diversity and strength of the North East region. He described it as the Ashtalakshmi and outlined its various assets, such as bio-economy, tea production, and ecotourism. He also stressed the importance of Eastern India in the development of a developed India and shared the government's policy for the region. The two-day summit aims to attract investment to the North East and showcase it as a land of opportunity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising North East Investors Summit 2025, expressing pride, warmth, and immense confidence in the region's future. He highlighted the Northeast's diversity and growing potential in various sectors, such as tourism, bio-economy, and bamboo industry. The Prime Minister praised the efforts of ministries and state governments in creating an investment-friendly environment and reaffirmed his commitment to the region's growth and prosperity.
A video of a non-Maharashtrian worker being threatened by a customer for not speaking Marathi at a farsan shop in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area has gone viral. In the video, the customer can be seen forcing the worker to learn Marathi or close his shop, despite the worker politely explaining the unrealistic expectations. This recent incident highlights the ongoing language war in Maharashtra and the discrimination faced by non-Maharashtrians. It also brings to light the similar incident that occurred with a Domino's delivery boy earlier this year.
In a major political development, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at 16 locations linked to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, including several educational institutions. The ED claims that the trust running these institutions made a payment to settle a Kannada actor's credit card bills, which could be damaging for the minister. Political analysts speculate that Parameshwara is being targeted because he is seen as a potential candidate for the Chief Minister's post. This crisis could also impact the informal understanding within the Congress party regarding succession of leadership in the state.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is intensifying its efforts to catch the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. As part of the investigation, the NIA has questioned locals and gathered photos and videos of the attack. Now, the agency is appealing to tourists and residents to come forward with any relevant information that could help solve the case. The Maoist insurgency in India is facing a potential leadership crisis after the death of their general secretary, and two leaders are being considered as potential successors. The party is also facing recruitment challenges and calls for peace talks.
A viral video of a State Bank of India official in Bengaluru refusing to speak Kannada with a customer has sparked outrage and led to the official's transfer. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly condemned the incident and emphasized the importance of speaking local languages. He has called for mandatory cultural and language training for bank employees and urged them to respect local languages as it is a sign of respecting the people. The incident has reignited debates over linguistic identity in Karnataka, with some arguing for mandatory use of Kannada in banks.
A gunfight erupted between security forces and terrorists in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, with local reports suggesting that three terrorists are trapped in the encounter. The clashes come after India conducted precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in Pakistan's attempted attacks on Indian military bases. This comes as part of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people.
Security forces in the Singhpora area of Chatroo in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, have trapped three to four Pakistani-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. The ongoing joint operation by the Indian Army, CRPF, and local police is based on precise intelligence inputs and is aimed at neutralising the threat posed by the trapped terrorists. This is the second encounter in the same area, and officials have confirmed that the trapped group is the same outfit that had escaped last time. The situation remains tense, with local residents being urged to stay indoors as authorities take necessary precautions to prevent any further escape.
West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, gave praise to Raja Ram Mohan Roy on Thursday for his influential role in shaping Indian modernity. She acknowledged that Roy's efforts continue to make a lasting impact on society, even today. Roy is best known for spearheading reforms, such as abolishing Sati and advocating for widow remarriage, before his death in 1833.