BJP members and Hindu organizations protested in Coimbatore against the state government's handling of the funeral of S.A. Basha, a convict in the 1998 Coimbatore bombings. Police detained BJP state president K. Annamalai and other leaders for holding the unauthorized «Black Day» procession. Annamalai criticized the government for allegedly glorifying a terrorist responsible for 58 deaths.
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc experienced internal friction during the winter session of Parliament, with regional parties challenging the Congress's leadership. Disagreements arose on issues like the Adani controversy and EVM usage. However, Amit Shah's Ambedkar remarks united the opposition in protest, offering a temporary reprieve for the Congress amidst its electoral struggles and alliance tensions.
BJP leader CT Ravi was arrested for derogatory remarks against Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, sparking controversy over the legality of the arrest. Ravi's advocate argued the arrest violated Supreme Court guidelines. The Karnataka High Court granted Ravi bail, who then claimed the case was false and politically motivated.
India has accused Canada of supporting anti-India separatist agendas through unsubstantiated criminal allegations against Indian citizens. The Indian government has requested Canada to act against anti-India elements operating within its borders, while also investigating US-shared intelligence regarding organized crime and terrorism linked to Indian nationals. India assures its citizens abroad that their safety is a top priority.
The government has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for the 2025 season. Milling copra's MSP is set at Rs 11,582 per quintal, while ball copra's is Rs 12,100. This represents a substantial increase of over 120% since 2014. The hike aims to benefit coconut growers, boost copra production, and meet growing market demands.
Karnataka BJP MLC CT Ravi, arrested for derogatory remarks against a minister, accused the Congress government of acting like dictators. He alleged a conspiracy to kill him through a false case. Fellow BJP leader HD Kumaraswamy condemned the attack on Ravi and questioned the state's democratic values and police conduct.
Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman's house steps were demolished in an «anti-encroachment» drive. He was also fined ₹1.91 crore for alleged electricity theft and his power supply disconnected. Rehman faces charges related to November's mosque survey violence. His father, Mamlukur Rehman Barq, was booked for threatening officials during the electricity inspection.
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan accused BJP MPs of feigning injuries during a parliamentary clash, suggesting their dramatic falls deserved acting awards. The confrontation stemmed from INDIA bloc protests against alleged disrespect towards Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Bachchan questioned the BJP's narrative, while Rahul Gandhi denied allegations of pushing and misbehavior.
A Bengaluru techie's mother has filed a habeas corpus plea in the Supreme Court seeking custody of her four-year-old grandson after her son's suicide. The techie had accused his wife and in-laws of harassment in a suicide note and video. The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Haryana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh governments, with a hearing scheduled for January 7, 2025. The child's whereabouts are currently unknown.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized parliamentarians for frequent disruptions during the winter session, which concluded with only 40% productivity. He urged members to engage in meaningful debates instead of destructive behavior, emphasizing the need to restore public trust in democratic institutions. The session saw the formation of a joint parliamentary committee on simultaneous elections amidst continued opposition protests.
The World Bank approved an $800 million loan to develop Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh's new capital city. The funding will support infrastructure development and establish Amaravati as a well-managed, climate-resilient economic hub, creating jobs and improving residents' lives. The loan has a 29-year maturity period, including a six-year grace period.
A 17-year-old boy in Shahjahanpur, India, allegedly raped his 20-year-old neighbor. Police reported the accused entered the victim's home while she slept, forcibly took her to his residence, and assaulted her. The victim escaped and informed her family, who then filed a police report. The accused is currently at large, and the victim has undergone a medical examination.
The Supreme Court granted bail to two more convicts in the 1987 Hashimpura massacre case, where 38 Muslim men were killed by Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel. This follows the granting of bail to eight other convicts earlier this month.
Income Tax authorities unearthed 52kg of gold and Rs 10 crore cash from an abandoned vehicle near Bhopal, linked to raids on real estate firms. The operation, targeting 52 locations across three districts, focuses on Trishul Construction and its owner, Rajesh Sharma, along with associated individuals and companies.
BJP MP Aprajita Sarangi gave Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra a bag with '1984' printed on it, referencing the anti-Sikh riots. This followed a Parliament clash over Ambedkar, resulting in injuries to two BJP MPs. Priyanka Gandhi's support for Palestine and Bangladeshi minorities, displayed through bags, drew BJP criticism, with accusations of «appeasement» and comparisons to the «New Muslim League».
Former Karnataka minister CT Ravi, arrested for derogatory remarks against minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, alleges a murder conspiracy and police negligence. He claims a false case was filed and holds the Congress government responsible if anything happens to him. The BJP leader was detained following a heated argument between parties, sparking accusations and denials from both sides.
Putin expressed readiness to discuss Ukraine with Trump, highlighting a potential shift in US-Russia relations. He also boasted about Russia's «Oreshnik» hypersonic missile and challenged Western defense systems with a provocative test-launch proposal targeting Kyiv. Putin congratulated Trump on his election victory, expressing optimism for future US-Russia relations.
Fourteen candidates achieved perfect scores in CAT 2024, matching last year's figure. Engineering students dominated the top ranks, with five toppers hailing from Maharashtra. Over 2.9 lakh aspirants appeared for the exam, with a significant increase in female participation. IIMs and other institutions will use CAT scores for admissions.
The Supreme Court questioned the Bengal government and its SSC over a teacher recruitment 'scam,' highlighting flaws in the selection process. The court examined various categories of irregularities, including manipulated ranks and marks. While acknowledging the impact on students, the court prioritized addressing the 'scam' confirmed by a commission and the CBI.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat criticized the rise of disputes over religious sites, emphasizing the importance of interfaith harmony in India. He stated that raising issues out of hate is unacceptable, referencing the Ram temple as a matter of faith. Bhagwat urged a return to ancient culture, rejecting extremism and advocating for inclusivity, where everyone can practice their faith freely.
A Mumbai plumber, Deepchand Wakchaure, tragically died in a ferry capsize after being struck by a Navy speedboat. His family, unaware he'd boarded the ferry, grew concerned when he didn't return home after dropping his daughter off at college. Friends later identified his body at JJ Hospital, noting his characteristic gold ornaments. A bracelet remains missing.
Lokayukta police raided the Bhopal home of a former transport constable, Saurabh Sharma, uncovering about Rs 2.5 crore in cash, gold, silver, and property documents. The total assets are estimated at Rs 3 crore.
Starting June 1, 2024, tobacco products in India will feature more disturbing images, including the face of a person with end-stage oral cancer and the warning «Tobacco causes painful death.» The change aims to combat the high tobacco usage rate, responsible for an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually. The new warnings also include the national tobacco quit line number.
A Navy speedboat collision with a ferry near Mumbai's Gateway of India tragically claimed 14 lives, with one person still missing. The overloaded ferry was en route to Elephanta Island. The speedboat, recently undergoing engine replacement, was being tested. Investigations are underway, focusing on the cause of the crash and the speedboat's operator.
An 11-month-old baby with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) needs a Rs 14.2 crore life-saving gene therapy. The Supreme Court urged the government to provide immediate financial aid, citing a 2022 notification promising assistance for rare diseases. The child's Air Force corporal father cannot afford the treatment, and the mother argued that crowdfunding within the defense sector isn't readily feasible.
NITI Aayog proposes classifying factory worker housing as a separate category to streamline taxes and boost manufacturing. This aims to address housing challenges hindering industrial growth and attract investment. The report suggests zoning changes, affordable utilities, and GST exemptions for eligible units, crucial for achieving India's economic goals and supporting the projected influx of manufacturing jobs.