Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other key figures, chaired a meeting of the Central Election Committee to finalize candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. The list includes notable inclusions such as former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat. The party has also gained the support of two prominent wrestlers, Vinesh and Bajrang Punia, who have joined the Congress after their protest against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, clashed with police personnel during a protest outside the Odisha assembly. The NSUI has been demanding for elections in colleges and state-run universities for several years now. While the BJP government in the state claims to not have enough time to conduct the elections this year, the NSUI believes it is because the RSS-backed ABVP fears losing the polls. A scuffle broke out when the police did not allow the NSUI activists to march towards the assembly.
In a major boost for the Congress party ahead of the Haryana Assembly elections, Olympic wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have joined the party. At a press event, both wrestlers spoke out against the BJP, accusing them of not standing with them during their protests against sexual harassment allegations against former WFI chief Brij Bhusan Singh. They also called out the BJP's IT cell for allegedly celebrating Phogat's disqualification at the Paris Olympics, and stressed that the Congress and other parties were the ones who stood with them.
Ramgiri Maharaj, a seer in his early 50s with a large following, has been at the center of multiple communal flare-ups in Maharashtra. His alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed have sparked protests and counter protests, with controversial politician Nitesh Rane even threatening violence against those who speak against the seer. Despite facing 51 FIRs and demands for his arrest, Ramgiri Maharaj's political clout can be seen through Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's promise to protect him. Meanwhile, followers and supporters claim that the context of his statements has been misunderstood.
In a fiery interview with an Indian news agency, Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus accused India of hiding former Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, who fled to India after being deposed by student protesters during the "Monsoon Revolution". Dr Yunus called for her extradition and trial in Bangladesh for numerous atrocities committed during her rule, creating an embarrassing situation for India as several countries have refused to grant her asylum. As India grapples with the influx of a stateless person, it raises questions about their willingness to defend against such political turmoil.
Suspected militants have launched a series of attacks in Manipur, including using drones to drop bombs on people. This is a dangerous escalation in the region, which has a history of ethnic violence. In response, thousands of residents formed human chains to protest the violence, while the government has announced school closures in light of the unrest. Friday's rocket attacks, which resulted in one death and five injuries, have heightened fear and tension in the community.
The Bharatiya Janata Party faced a major setback in Haryana as two of its leaders, G.L. Sharma and Naveen Goyal, along with their supporters, quit the party after being left out of the first list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections. The party replaced sitting MLA Sudhir Singla with Mukesh Sharma for the Gurgaon constituency, leading to protests from G.L. Sharma and Naveen Goyal, who declared their intentions to contest as independents or join the Congress party. The BJP has released its list of candidates for 67 out of the 90 seats in the state.
Responding to the news of Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia joining the Indian National Congress ahead of the Haryana Assembly Polls, Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik stated that she will not be taking a political plunge like her comrades. Malik, who was at the forefront of the protest against former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, stated that her fight was against him alone and she remains apolitical in order to stay true to the cause of women in wrestling. She also emphasized on the importance of continuing their agitation until the exploitation of women in the sport ends.
Residents of Kolkata came together in a powerful display of civic solidarity to protest against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. At 9pm, people across the city turned off their lights and came down to the streets with candles, as urged by junior doctors at state-run hospitals. Landmarks and homes all over the city went dark, reflecting the collective demand for justice in the wake of the horrific incident.
A city-wide protest in Kolkata has gained traction after a lady doctor was brutally attacked, leading to widespread outrage and calls for justice. The citizens of Kolkata showed their solidarity in demanding accountability and raising their voices against violence and discrimination. The incident has brought forth a united front in the city, with people from all walks of life coming together to demand justice and ensure the victim's voice is not silenced. The powerful response showcases the strong will and determination of the people in seeking justice for the victim.