The New Hampshire Senate was unable to pass a bill that would have legalized home cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, as the vote ended in a deadlock. Despite the growing demand for decriminalization, it seems unlikely that marijuana will be legalized this session, with the governor strongly opposed to changing the current laws. While some senators argued that patients should have access to homegrown cannabis, others raised concerns about potential risks and abuse. The issue is likely to come up again in future sessions as the call for legalization continues to grow.
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.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary. Pilot hailed Gandhi as a visionary leader who led India with progressive and modern thinking. Kharge highlighted Gandhi's key decisions such as lowering voting age and spearheading the Telecom and IT revolution. The Congress party also shared a quote from Gandhi on the importance of education in creating a more egalitarian society.
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.
Every year on May 21, India observes National Anti-Terrorism Day as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated on this day in 1991. This day serves to raise awareness about the destructive nature of terrorism and encourages people to stand united against violence and extremism. The pledge to promote peace and harmony is taken in all government offices, public institutions and many social organizations also hold events to highlight the impact of terrorism.
As the nation remembers former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 34th death anniversary, leaders from various political parties paid homage to him on social media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge took to Twitter to remember Gandhi's contributions to the country. The Congress party also shared a tribute, highlighting Gandhi's impact on India's progress.
The war of words between BJP and Congress continues as Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge calls Operation Sindoor a "Chhutput Ghatna" and BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi condemns the remarks. The issue escalates as BJP MP Trivedi says, "Calling Operation Sindoor a small incident is not only condemnable but disrespectful to our armies" and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh claims the BJP is using the delegation's visit to divert attention. Meanwhile, the all-party delegation is set to visit key partner countries to showcase India's fight against terrorism.