A police official in UP's Sambhal has caused a stir by advising Muslims to stay indoors on Holi if they feel uncomfortable with the colors. The official equated the festival's significance to that of Eid for the Hindu community, drawing backlash from opposition parties. The controversial remarks were made during a peace committee meeting ahead of Holi, which coincides with Friday prayers during Ramzan.
The Madras High Court has granted interim relief to Tamil weekly magazine Ananda Vikatan, directing the Centre to unblock its website as long as a controversial cartoon of Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump is removed. The magazine had argued that the cartoon was a form of political satire related to the mistreatment of Indian deportees from the US. This order marks a small victory for media freedom and the importance of political satire in democratic societies.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a visit to Dharavi, one of the largest leather industry hubs in the world, to interact with workers and understand the challenges they face. This visit comes after the Congress' loss in the Vidhan Sabha elections and during which Gandhi had made the redevelopment of the area by Adani a major issue. This is his second visit to Dharavi, where he also visited Chamar Studio, known for its innovative use of recycled tires in its creations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a one-day visit to Mumbai where he visited the Dharavi leather hub and met with workers and entrepreneurs. During his visit, he emphasized the importance of inclusive production networks that uplift skilled workers and transform businesses, citing Chamar Studio as an example of how traditional artisanship and modern entrepreneurship can work together. He also brought a friend from Sultanpur to learn from Sudheer Rajbhar's success and spoke in the Lok Sabha about the importance of "production and participation" in building a prosperous India.
The formation of a cabinet sub-committee to combat drugs in Punjab by the AAP government has been described as a mere political gimmick by BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh. Chugh questioned the delay in addressing the issue and criticized the cabinet ministers for performing tasks that should be done by the police. He also suggested conducting a dope test on the cabinet committee members and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to verify their sincerity. Chugh believes that this move by the AAP government is just another attempt to squander taxpayers' money on misleading advertisements, similar to their tactics in the past.
The Central government is expected to announce a hike in dearness allowance for its employees before the festival of Holi. This will benefit over 1.2 crore government employees and pensioners in the country. The decision is based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers and is reviewed twice a year, with the January hike typically announced around Holi. The final announcement will be made by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Rohit Pawar defends star pacer Mohammed Shami's decision to drink water during a Champions Trophy match in Ramadan, stating that performance should take precedence over fasting. The MLA emphasised that religion and sports should not be mixed and that Shami's achievements are a point of pride for the Muslim community.
The national head of All India Muslim Jamaat condemns Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami for not observing Roza during the ongoing Champions Trophy, sparking outrage from religious scholars. UP BJP leader and spokesperson condemns the cleric's statement, stating that faith is a personal affair and one's religious practices cannot be dictated. In the semi-final game against Australia, Shami proves his form by taking 3 vital wickets.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) will be formed to investigate the recent terrorist attack on Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also emphasized the need for improved security measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the merger districts to prevent further incidents. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the sacrifices made by both security forces and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for national unity in the fight against terrorism. A jirga has been formed to initiate talks with Afghanistan, pending approval of Terms of Reference.
Amid ongoing political tensions in the Maharashtra government, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has established a new medical aid cell at Mantralaya. The cell, headed by Shinde's close aide Mangesh Chivate, aims to coordinate with the state health ministry to provide assistance to needy patients. Despite not providing direct financial aid, the cell will collaborate with various social organizations to ensure needy patients receive free healthcare services under government schemes. Chivate had previously managed the CM Relief Fund during Shinde's tenure as Chief Minister, disbursing over Rs 267 crore for expensive surgeries and treatments.