Opposition leaders and chief ministers from opposition-governed states met in Chennai to protest against the proposed delimitation exercise by the Centre. They expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and consultation in the exercise and argued that states should not be penalised for effectively controlling population. A core committee will be formed to counter any attempts to carry out the exercise against the principles.
Maharashtra's Finance Minister Ajit Pawar has caused controversy by revealing that he did not disclose the true financial burden of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He stated that their priority was forming the government and it was not his duty to reveal the truth. He also addressed his now-infamous "wandering soul" comment about Sharad Pawar and the impact it had on the elections. This admission has sparked debates about the transparency of the government's promises and financial management.
A controversy broke out in the Lok Sabha on Monday as BJP members disrupted proceedings over a purported statement made by Kumar Shivakumar regarding changing the Constitution for providing reservation to Muslims. The Congress high command has asked Shivakumar for a clarification on the issue, stating that his remarks are being misinterpreted by the BJP. As the issue gained attention, Shivakumar himself came forward to speak to the media and clear the air.
In a fiery speech, Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray called for an apology from comedian Kunal Kamra, before questioning whether Eknath Shinde, the Minister of Urban Development and RE Development, was a traitor or a thief. Thackeray also demanded action against Shinde and criticised the BJP's handling of the Mumbai roads scandal. Meanwhile, he defended Kamra's freedom of expression and denounced the vandalism carried out by a rival faction of Shiv Sena.
The row over stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's recent remarks has led to several political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan and Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, speaking out in support of his freedom of expression. Ms Bachchan questioned the restrictions placed on speech in the country, while Mr Sawant defended Mr Kamra's comedy special, Naya Bharat as accurate and called for action against those who vandalised the venue where his show was filmed. The controversy has sparked conversations and debates about the limits of freedom of speech and the role of criticism in democracy.
Twelve members of the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of Shiv Sena, were arrested for disrupting a comedy show and damaging property. The incident was sparked by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's alleged derogatory remarks against Eknath Shinde, leader of Shiv Sena. While Shiv Sena defended Kamra's comments and accused him of being a "traitor," the opposition alliance criticized the party and their government for failing to maintain law and order.
The Parliament saw a ruckus on Monday as BJP members raised the issue of reservation for Muslims in government contracts in Karnataka. The BJP accused Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who holds a constitutional post, of stating that the Constitution will be changed to provide reservation for Muslims. However, Shivakumar denied the allegation, saying that he was misquoted by the media and accused the BJP of trying to misguide the country. Amid the chaos, the Congress high command asked Shivakumar to issue a clarification.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora has condemned comedian Kunal Kamra's recent mocking of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, stating that Kamra and others like him have been hired by the political elites to distract from crucial issues, such as the Disha Salian case. Deora also highlights the irony of Kamra's elitist language, as leaders from humble backgrounds have risen to power in India. He further questions the selective outrage of Congress and opposition leaders, citing examples of threats and violence against journalists and individuals critical of them. In response to Kamra's show, Shiv Sena workers vandalised the venue, leading to police questioning.
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray came to the defense of comedian Kunal Kamra and his recent remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Thackeray stated that there was nothing wrong in calling someone a 'gaddar' (traitor) if it is true. Additionally, Aditya Thackeray questioned the violence at the Mumbai studio where Kamra's show was shot and called for an end to such actions. The controversy has sparked a heated debate on the issue of freedom of speech and criticism towards political leaders.
In a recent interview, Chancellor Rachel Reeves discussed her decision to accept complimentary tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter concert and clarified that she would declare their estimated value accordingly. The discussion comes in the wake of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer introducing stricter rules on ministerial gifts and hospitality after facing backlash over donations received by himself and other cabinet members. The debate over ministerial gifts has also extended to other politicians, including shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith.
The Delhi High Court has directed Karma News, a Kerala-based news channel, to remove an article published in relation to the "Cutting South 2023" event. The article accused media outlet Newslaundry and other organizers of corruption and distorting the map of India. This article was published after a judicial order had already been passed in July 2023, prohibiting any direct or indirect references to the dispute. The event in question, Cutting South, was held in Kochi in March 2023 and was partnered by Newslaundry, Confluence Media and The News Minute. In 2023, a defamation suit was filed against Karma News for launching a misinformation campaign about the event and its organizers.