Vishnu Shankar Jain, petitioner in the Sambhal mosque case, denied leading a mob and raising «Jai Shree Ram» slogans, blaming the Samajwadi Party and others for spreading misinformation. He clarified that slogans were raised by people in a Hindu-majority area as he was being escorted out after the court-mandated survey.

Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, the new head of the Mewar royal family, performed mourning rites for his late father at Eklingnathji temple amid a palace access dispute.

Maharashtra's CM post remains undecided. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says discussions are ongoing. The BJP leader will meet with senior leaders. The Mahayuti alliance is working to resolve the impasse. A decision is expected soon. Fadnavis assures an announcement will be made shortly.

Robert Vadra hinted at a political entry following Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's Wayanad bypoll win. He expressed gratitude to Wayanad voters but also raised concerns about EVM irregularities. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra won by a large margin. This victory boosts Congress's presence in Wayanad. The win followed Rahul Gandhi's vacation of the seat.

Amidst speculation about the next chief minister following the Mahayuti alliance's resounding victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar affirmed that the decision will be made without haste. He emphasized that the chief minister will come from the alliance and dismissed rumors of internal conflict, comparing the alliance partners to the iconic friendship in the film 'Sholay'.

BJP leaders, spearheaded by Suvendu Adhikari, protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Kolkata over the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. They demanded his release, alleging religious persecution in Bangladesh. ISKCON representatives also condemned the arrest, emphasizing the organization's peaceful nature and charitable work, questioning the basis of the accusations.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Indian leaders expressed concern over the arrest of an ISKCON monk in Bangladesh on sedition charges and ongoing violence against Hindu minorities. The Indian government called upon Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of minorities, while protests erupted in India demanding the monk's release.

Justice Kuldip Singh, the Supreme Court's first «green judge,» passed away at 92. He left an enduring environmental legacy through two landmark cases: protecting the Taj Mahal from pollution and safeguarding forests. These cases, initiated during his tenure (1988-1996), continue to be heard by the Supreme Court today.

Top diplomats Blinken and Jaishankar met in Italy. They discussed global security and the growing US-India partnership. Both nations want to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also talked about technology, clean energy, and investment opportunities. Jaishankar mentioned the Quad's evolution and Indo-Pacific dynamics. He looks forward to welcoming Blinken to India in 2025.

Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan condemned the arrest of Iskcon priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, urging collective action and intervention from Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus and the UN. Kalyan highlighted India's historical support for Bangladesh and expressed concern over the targeting of Hindus.

Legal experts in India weighed in on the US indictment of Gautam Adani. Mahesh Jethmalani raised concerns about the evidence presented. Mukul Rohatgi described the indictment as a chargesheet specifying individual actions. Neither Adani nor his nephew were charged in key counts. The lawyers' statements followed the indictment's release.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi demanded Gautam Adani's arrest following US bribery allegations involving Indian officials and contracts worth billions. Adani Group denied the charges, stating neither Gautam nor his nephew Sagar Adani were charged with FCPA violations. Parliament's winter session erupted in chaos as opposition parties demanded discussion on the issue, leading to adjournments.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the National Federation of State Co-operative Banks (NAFSCOB) to modernize and strengthen Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). He emphasized transparency, viability, and technology upgrades, advocating for increased youth involvement and a 50% rise in district cooperative banks. Shah stressed collective prosperity and equal profit sharing as core cooperative principles.

A Siberian Demoiselle crane, nicknamed Sukpak, has broken the record for the longest migratory flight to Rajasthan, India, covering over 3,676km. Tagged in the remote Tyva Republic of Russia, Sukpak's journey took an unusual route through Pakistan, reversing the typical migration path.

BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi for resuming his attacks on Veer Savarkar after remaining silent on the issue during the Maharashtra elections. They highlighted PM Modi's prediction that Gandhi's silence was tactical and would end post-elections.

Following a dismal performance in the recent polls, Uddhav Thackeray met with defeated Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates. He instructed them to apply to the Election Commission for verification of EVM-VVPAT units. Many candidates attributed their losses to EVMs and suggested a joint protest with MVA allies against their use, citing a Supreme Court order mandating verification upon candidate request.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated India possesses a unique 'life force' capable of uniting the nation, especially during crises. This force, often obscured by historical influences, can be realized by integrating modern progress with ancient wisdom.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, at a book launch, asserted that science and spirituality are complementary, both requiring faith. He emphasized introspection as a path to truth, highlighting India's unique 'praan shakti' (life force) as its national identity, evident in its response to global crises.

Maharashtra's political scene is witnessing a replay of 2019. Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena claims a pre-election «deal» with the BJP, mirroring Uddhav Thackeray's past assertions. Shinde's camp alleges an agreement promising him the Chief Ministership if their alliance won. However, the BJP's strong 132-seat win puts them in the driver's seat, with their parliamentary board holding the final decision.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating three violent incidents in Manipur. These include the abduction and murder of six women and children, an attack on security forces that resulted in 10 militants being killed, and the rape and murder of a woman.