Popular actor Vijay officially launched his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, delivering a strong message to the public. He emphasized the party's ideology of "ondre kulam, oruvane thevan" and criticized the DMK as a "family party" that deceives the people. He also expressed his commitment to secular social justice and gave up his successful career to enter politics, trusting the support of the people.
The interim government of Bangladesh has banned the student body of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing their involvement in violent attacks on student protests that ultimately led to Hasina's ouster in August. With public anger and protests against Hasina's government increasing, the ban on the Bangladesh Chhatra League has been implemented under the Anti-Terrorism Act in an effort to preserve public security. Despite her attempts to record a farewell speech before fleeing the country, Hasina's 15-year-long administration has come to an end and the ban serves as a symbolic end to her controversial reign.
The UK's Medical Specialist Group (MSG) and British Medical Association, along with Dr. Sandie Bohin, filed a complaint against Deputy Gavin St Pier for breaking States rules during a speech in April 2022. A panel found St Pier guilty and recommended a formal reprimand, but it has taken two-and-a-half years for the process to come to a vote. The chair of the MSG expressed frustration at the lengthy process and strict time limits not being met.
In a surprising turn of events, a man accused of shouting anti-India slogans was granted bail by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on the condition that he salute the Indian flag 21 times a month, while also shouting "Bharat Mata ki Jai." This decision by the court has sparked debate and raised questions about the use of such unusual bail conditions in cases of sedition. Some are praising the court's decision, while others are concerned about potential infringement on the accused's rights. This case highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding issues of free speech and nationalism in India.
In a speech given in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of breaking away from nepotism in politics and announced plans to bring 1 lakh young people without any political connections into the field. He congratulated Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on the state's development and announced various projects worth 6,700 crore to further improve infrastructure and job opportunities in Varanasi. The PM also highlighted the advancements in healthcare in Varanasi, including the inauguration of the RJ Sankara Eye Hospital and the expansion of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.
In a speech at the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show, Vice President Dhankhar praised the synergy between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's execution, which has led to the state's transformation into 'Uttam Pradesh.' He highlighted the growth of infrastructure in the state, citing the addition of new airports and rapid expansion of the Metro rail network. He also spoke of the impact of digital technologies in providing housing, health coverage, and loans for small businesses. The Vice President emphasized the significance of the semiconductor industry, stating that it is critical for India's growth and is projected to surpass $55 billion by 2026. He concluded by praising CM Yogi Adityanath for leading the transformation of Uttar Pradesh into a beacon of progress and development.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar became the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nine years to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Islamabad. In his speech, Jaishankar stressed the importance of collaboration among member states to tackle common challenges and reiterated India's commitment to fostering stability and prosperity in the region. He also highlighted the need for cooperation to be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality, while indirectly referencing China's assertive behavior on key issues.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde indirectly criticized former CM and Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray during the Shiv Sena's annual Dussehra rally. Shinde, without mentioning Thackeray's name, questioned his ability to become the state's next CM, pointing out that even his own allies don't support him. With the upcoming assembly elections approaching, Shinde's speech also touched on government schemes and projects, and vowed to continue the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. Meanwhile, strict immigration policies in Canada have led to a rise in enrolment in Punjab's colleges, and have also impacted the local politics in the state with several young men being elected as village heads.
In a heartwarming moment at the Shanghai Masters final, Novak Djokovic acknowledged the presence of his old rival and legendary tennis player, Roger Federer. Federer, who is an 'icon athlete' at the tournament, was also joined by other tennis stars like Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz. In his runner-up speech, Djokovic gave a shoutout to Federer and expressed his wish to see him in a different role at the tournament.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, in his speech at an event in Nagpur, emphasized the need for unity and tolerance in a diverse society like India. He stated that diversity is a virtue and should not be seen as a division. Bhagwat also condemned the recent violence and unrest in the country and appealed for respect towards all religions and faiths.