As Delhi's air quality reached hazardous levels with an AQI of 500, the city saw 228 flight cancellations and over 400 diversions. In response, the regional government ordered all schools up to Class 5 to shift to online classes. The severity of the situation has also prompted advisories from the Singapore High Commission for its nationals living in Delhi and NCR to stay indoors and wear masks when going out.
India celebrates the 54th Vijay Diwas, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of its soldiers in the 1971 war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, pay glowing tributes to the armed forces and their unmatched courage. The Army marks the occasion by recalling the historic triumph and the flawless coordination between different branches of the military, with an impressive Military Tattoo in Kolkata.
Renowned spiritual leader and former BJP MP, Ram Vilas Vedanti, passed away at the age of 67 due to a heart attack. Known for his significant role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Vedanti had been admitted to a hospital in Rewa for a blood infection and low blood pressure. Attempts to transport him to a better medical facility were unsuccessful due to bad weather. Political leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressed their condolences and praised Vedanti's contributions to society.
Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, Harish P, slammed Pakistan for misusing international platforms for its hostile agenda against India at the UNSC Open Debate on “Leadership for Peace”. He objected to Pakistan’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir and questioned its democratic credentials while reaffirming India’s stance on cross-border terrorism. This reflects the ongoing strain in India-Pakistan relations and New Delhi’s determination to counter any attempt by Islamabad to internationalise bilateral disputes.
A fierce gunfight broke out between security forces and terrorists in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of a policeman and injuries to a terrorist. The encounter was based on specific intelligence inputs, and the terrorists are believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit. Despite facing difficulties due to darkness and rough terrain, security forces continue efforts to neutralize the remaining terrorists as the operation has been suspended for the night and will resume at first light on Tuesday. With high alerts in place, the area has been cordoned off to prevent any further attempts by the terrorists to escape.
Controversy swirls around Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as a video goes viral of him attempting to remove the hijab of a Muslim woman doctor during an appointment letter distribution ceremony. The incident has been met with widespread outrage and criticism from opposition parties, with calls for Kumar's resignation. Shiv Sena UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has also condemned the act, calling it a "public harassment." This incident raises concerns about safety and respect for women in the state of Bihar.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh expresses concern over the recent bomb threat emails that were sent to 11 schools in Jalandhar, Punjab. Chugh criticizes the AAP government for failing to control the spread of terror and creating a sense of panic among school children. This comes after a free eye medical camp was organized in Ongole, with MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao emphasizing the consistent efforts of DJR Trust in serving the poor and underprivileged.
A controversy has erupted in Patna after a video went viral showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly removing the headscarf of a woman AYUSH doctor during a government programme. The incident has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, with the latter calling for Kumar's immediate resignation. The CM's actions have raised concerns about women's safety in the state and have been deemed "shameful" and "disgusting" by political leaders. The event was organized to distribute appointment letters to newly recruited AYUSH doctors who will be deployed to improve healthcare delivery in Bihar.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's recent remarks mocking Vipassana meditation, a spiritual practice taught by Lord Buddha, were met with a strong response from former CM Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal took to X to express his disappointment and stated that political enmity is understandable but making fun of a sacred practice crosses a line. Gupta had made the comments while attacking Kejriwal's record on pollution, but later shared a clip of her speech on social media, defending her government's efforts to address the issue.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has spoken out against the proposed repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), linking it to a larger agenda of the ruling BJP and RSS. Kharge warns of a potential threat to the rights of millions of marginalized communities and criticizes the government for its disregard for the poor. The bill proposes a new rural employment law, which guarantees 125 days of wage employment, in place of the existing MGNREGA, which was passed in 2005. The Congress party vows to resist this decision in both the parliament and public arena.