Mani Shankar Aiyar, in an interview, revealed his limited interaction with the Gandhi family, stating his career was both built and destroyed by them. He also suggested that Congress's 2014 defeat wouldn't have been so severe if Pranab Mukherjee had been PM instead of Manmohan Singh.
Bihar's former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav announced the 'Mai Bahan Maan Yojana,' promising 2,500 rupees monthly to underprivileged women if RJD wins the upcoming assembly polls. This pledge mirrors similar schemes in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, aiming to alleviate women's hardships and garner support ahead of elections. Yadav urged women to back him, emphasizing their shared struggles.
In Manipur, two migrant laborers from Bihar were shot dead by unidentified gunmen, marking the second such attack since last year's ethnic violence. Separately, an 18-year-old militant was killed in a police encounter in Thoubal district. Seven militants were apprehended, and a cache of weapons, suspected to be looted during the unrest, was recovered.
TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu voiced concerns in Lok Sabha about the next delimitation based on population. He argued that southern states could lose political representation while northern states gain, impacting federalism.
During a Lok Sabha session, BJP MP Anurag Thakur criticized Rahul Gandhi's understanding of the Constitution, referencing legal expert Gopal Shankar Narayan's praise for its creators. Thakur alleged the Congress party, under Gandhi's family, suppressed rights and was responsible for the Sikh massacre, demanding an apology.
The National Medical Register portal, launched three and a half months ago, has seen a slow registration process. Less than 6,500 doctors have registered, with only 284 approvals. At this rate, registering all 12 lakh doctors in India could take 40 years.
India's National Lok Adalat settled a record 1.45 crore cases on Saturday, including 1.22 crore pre-litigation cases, preventing them from adding to the existing 4.65 crore backlog. The Lok Adalats, aiming to 'Resolve Disputes, Restore Harmony,' involved all states except Rajasthan, where they will be held later this month.
Congress MP Alfred Arthur criticized Prime Minister Modi's silence on the Manipur crisis, questioning his lack of accountability to the suffering population. Arthur highlighted the loss of life and displacement, emphasizing the government's failure to protect its citizens. He implored the ruling party to prioritize justice and deliver it to the people of Manipur.
Lt. Kabilan V, a 23-year-old from a small village near Madurai, overcame numerous hardships, including the loss of his mother and his father's paralysis, to achieve his dream of joining the Indian Army. He balanced work as a rescue volunteer with relentless preparation for the entrance exams, finally earning his commission in the Para regiment.
Jatin Kumar, son of a retired havildar, achieved his lifelong dream by winning the Sword of Honour and President's Silver Medal at IMA's Autumn Passing Out Parade. Despite facing previous rejections, Kumar's perseverance, fueled by family support, led to this triumph. Fellow graduate, Mayank Dhyani, also celebrated his bronze medal, attributing his success to his family and determination.
The Indian government is introducing bills for 'one nation, one election,' aiming to synchronize Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. The proposed change aims to reduce election expenses and disruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct, reverting to a system prevalent until 1967. Consequential amendments are also proposed for Union Territories.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution, hailing the nation's democratic journey. He emphasised India's role as the «mother of democracy» and the importance of unity for achieving developed nation status by 2047. Modi paid tribute to the Constitution's architects and highlighted the inclusion of women's voting rights from the outset.
Shiv Sena (UBT) activists in Jammu protested Saturday, demanding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. Led by Manish Sahni, they gathered near the Maharaja Hari Singh statue, accusing the Centre of false promises. Sahni warned of a larger movement if their demand remains unaddressed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress for imposing the 1975 Emergency, stating they «tore apart» the Constitution and suppressed fundamental rights. He accused the Gandhi family of repeatedly undermining the Constitution, citing attempts to control the judiciary and curtail freedom of expression. Modi asserted Congress will never be able to erase this stain.
Shrikant Shinde, citing Indira Gandhi's 1980 letter praising Savarkar, questioned Rahul Gandhi's stance. Gandhi countered, recounting Indira Gandhi's disapproval of Savarkar's alleged plea for forgiveness from the British. Rijiju shared the letter on X, challenging Gandhi's Lok Sabha statement where he criticized Savarkar's views on the Constitution.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized BJP policies during a Lok Sabha debate. He used Hindu scriptures to illustrate his points. He compared the government's actions to Dronacharya's treatment of Eklavya. Gandhi accused the BJP of harming businesses and centralizing power. He previously invoked the Mahabharata's Chakravyuha to make similar criticisms.
In a heated Lok Sabha session, Rahul Gandhi criticised the government's policies. He also invoked Savarkar's critique of the Constitution. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde countered by citing Indira Gandhi's praise of Savarkar and highlighting Congress's past governance. The exchange escalated into a shouting match, with Congress MPs demanding a right of reply.
In a Lok Sabha debate, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Rahul Gandhi's understanding of history and the Congress party's stance during the Emergency. Prasad highlighted the Constitution's inclusion of images of Hindu deities and Akbar, contrasting it with the absence of Babar and Aurangzeb.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav challenged the «One Nation, One Election» proposal, urging immediate dissolution of all governments and nationwide elections if the government is serious. Opposition parties criticize the move as impractical and a threat to federalism, while the BJP champions it as a step towards strengthening democracy. Heated parliamentary debates are expected.
During a parliamentary debate, Rahul Gandhi mistakenly referred to Eklavya as a «young man» instead of a child while recounting the Mahabharata incident. He likened the government's actions to cutting off the thumbs of aspiring youth, referencing exam paper leaks. Gandhi also invoked V.D. Savarkar, criticizing his preference for Manusmriti over the Constitution.
During a Lok Sabha address, Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP, quoting V.D. Savarkar's critique of the Indian Constitution as non-Indian. Gandhi challenged the BJP's stance on protecting the Constitution, arguing it contradicts Savarkar's views promoting Manusmriti as law. He accused the BJP of sidelining farmers, backward classes, and youth, likening their actions to Dronacharya's treatment of Eklavya.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole denied reports of his resignation, stating his four-year tenure and shared responsibility for the party's election defeats. While rumors circulated about a resignation letter submitted to Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar expressed unawareness, attributing wins and losses to senior leadership. Patole narrowly retained his Sakoli assembly seat.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has urged PM Modi to waive the repayment of Rs 817.80 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the Vizhinjam International Seaport project. Vijayan argues that requiring repayment contradicts VGF guidelines and would impose a significant financial burden on the state, which has already invested Rs 5,554 crore.
The Union Cabinet cleared the One Nation, One Election bill, set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on December 16. This constitutional amendment aims to synchronize national and Union Territory elections, omitting local body polls for now. While the ruling NDA champions the move for enhanced governance, the opposition INDIA bloc raises concerns about federalism and electoral fairness.
Actor Allu Arjun was granted interim bail after being arrested in connection with a fatal stampede at a Hyderabad theatre during the premiere of his film 'Pushpa 2'. One woman died and her son was critically injured. Police blamed Arjun's actions for inciting the crowd, while the actor expressed condolences and pledged cooperation with authorities.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra filed a complaint with the Inter-Parliamentary Union against Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, alleging he threatened her during a Lok Sabha debate on the Indian Constitution. Moitra's comments on Judge Loya's death sparked controversy, leading to Rijiju's response and two brief adjournments.
The BJP announced the construction of a Ram Temple in West Bengal to mark the Ayodhya Ram Temple's one-year anniversary. This follows a TMC MLA's remark about the Babri Masjid's reconstruction.