Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in of Bangladesh's PM-elect Tarique Rahman, following the BNP's landslide victory. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will accompany Birla. This event marks a significant diplomatic shift for Dhaka, especially after former PM Sheikh Hasina's ouster and subsequent exile in India. The new BNP government's stance will be closely observed.
At the heart of the row is Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the government-owned company that manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap. Founded during the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the brand is not merely a commercial product. For many Kannadigas, it is an aromatic symbol of heritage. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP K Sudhakar accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of displaying what he called an “anti-Kannada mindset”.
Asaduddin Owaisi alleged the BJP-led government is trying to «snatch citizenship rights» through the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, claiming it will be conducted in Telangana and Maharashtra. He also condemned the alleged harassment of a Muslim bun vendor by YouTubers, demanding action against them.
Isha Yoga Center's Mahashivratri, themed 'Ganga', will be a global livestream event on February 15-16, featuring sign language interpretation and broadcasts in 23 languages. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest. The program includes guided meditations by Sadhguru, musical performances, and for the first time, Sadhguru will perform the Yogeshwara Linga Maha Abhishekam.
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has courted controversy by comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan. His remarks have led to a police case against him. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the comparison. Meanwhile, Congress leader Sachin Sawant accused the BJP of double standards and a polarization agenda, citing past BJP endorsements of Tipu Sultan.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be debated and voted on March 9. The second part of the Budget session, starting the same day, is expected to be «interesting» with crucial legislation. Rijiju warned that continued opposition protests could be detrimental to them and suggested potential cracks in opposition unity.
In a momentous occasion, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurated a statue of K B Hedgewar, the founder of RSS, in Shahdara, marking the organization's centennial. The statue stands as a beacon of selfless service and national pride, resonating with healthcare workers at Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan Hospital.
Bangladesh's BNP chief Tarique Rahman vowed a «people-first» foreign policy post-victory. Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal defended the India-US trade deal against Rahul Gandhi's criticism, highlighting benefits for textiles and farmers. In Mumbai, a Metro Line-4 parapet collapse tragically killed one and injured three.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan emphasized that «actual vijay lies in demonstrated evidence,» referencing India's counterterror actions. He stressed that victory isn't built on rhetoric but on tangible outcomes like damaged terror infrastructure and dysfunctional air defence systems, urging a sober assessment of India's defense preparedness for future challenges.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday attended the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Swami Rama Himalayan University at Jolly Grant, Dehradun.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized that judicial leadership thrives on acknowledging imperfections and embracing continuous growth, not on feigning flawlessness. He advocated for a radical redefinition of judicial leadership, proposing a Commonwealth Apex Body to unify judicial education, the Bar, and the bench across member nations.
Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized PM Modi for visiting Assam instead of Manipur, which has been experiencing unrest. Khera shared mock flight tickets from Guwahati to Imphal, urging the PM to visit the troubled state. This comes as Manipur faces renewed tensions and violent protests.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging their election victory, expressing eagerness to work with India. PM Modi congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on the party's decisive win, which secured a two-thirds majority and signals a move towards political stability in Bangladesh.
