Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife of having links to Pakistan, alleging suspicious travels and activities. Sarma claims Gogoi visited Pakistan personally for 15 days, while his wife made multiple trips accompanied by Pakistani officials. Gogoi has dismissed the allegations as petty politics, accusing Sarma of involving his family.
Mallikarjun Kharge alleged PM Modi cancelled his Kashmir visit after an intelligence report warned of an attack and questioned why security wasn't reinforced for civilians if there was intelligent inputs. The BJP strongly condemned Kharge's remarks, accusing him of echoing Pakistan's narrative and demanding an apology.
Indian ambassador Akhilesh Mishra strongly criticized The Irish Times for its editorial on the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing it of downplaying terrorism and echoing narratives that support its perpetrators. Mishra highlighted the editorial's failure to condemn the attack unequivocally and its criticism of PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant change in India's water policy, stating that the nation's water resources will now be exclusively utilized for national benefit and not allowed to flow outside the country. This declaration follows the government's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan's attempt to raise India-Pakistan tensions at a closed-door UN Security Council meeting failed to gain traction. Council members urged bilateral resolution and accountability for the Pahalgam terrorist attack, suspected to involve Lashkar-e-Taiba. Concerns were raised about Pakistan's nuclear rhetoric and missile tests.
India is set to conduct a nationwide civil defence mock drill, focusing on the designated 'civil defence districts' some of which house sensitive installations. This exercise, amidst heightened tensions following a recent terror attack, aims to simulate wartime scenarios, testing air raid protocols and evacuation plans.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has strongly refuted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) statement regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, labeling it «absurd and misguided.» The MEA spokesperson accused Pakistan of manipulating the OIC to issue a self-serving statement, rejecting any interference in India's internal matters.
Iskcon priest Chinmoy Krishna Das faces further legal trouble as a Bangladeshi court orders his arrest in four new cases related to obstructing police duties and assaulting lawyers. Simultaneously, a higher court has suspended his bail in a sedition case stemming from allegations of hoisting a saffron flag above the national flag during a rally.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused external elements of instigating violence in the state, urging people to resist divisive agendas promoted by the BJP and religious fundamentalists. Speaking in Murshidabad, she asserted that the Waqf Act would not be implemented in Bengal, appealing for calm amidst potential protests.
Amidst escalating tensions following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan plans to increase its defence budget by 18%. India, a major military power, spends significantly more but faces resource allocation challenges. With China's support for Pakistan and its own growing military strength, India confronts a two-front challenge. Recent actions include ceasefire violations, mock drills, and nuclear modernization, highlighting the complex security landscape.
BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla accuses Congress leaders of acting as «content creators for Pakistan» amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam massacre. He criticizes Charanjit Singh Channi's questioning of the surgical strike and Ajay Rai's mocking of the Rafale jets. Poonawalla's remarks come after Congress leaders questioned intelligence on terror activity in Kashmir, further fueling the political clash.
Amidst political clashes, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Modi of prior knowledge of the Pahalgam terror attack, triggering BJP's sharp rebuke. India is set to conduct a nationwide civil defence drill on May 7. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee blamed outsiders for inciting violence. In international news, Germany's AfD party demanded fresh elections.
The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concerns about police officers routinely copy-pasting witness statements into charge sheets, even in serious criminal cases, cautioning that this «dangerous culture» could benefit the accused. The court has directed the Maharashtra government to issue guidelines for recording witness statements and appointed an amicus curiae to suggest improvements to investigation quality.
Shashi Tharoor stated that Pakistan faced tough questions regarding terrorism and Lashkar-e-Taiba at a recent UNSC closed-door meeting following the Pahalgam attack. Despite Pakistan's attempt to raise the issue, member countries focused on LeT's role and the threat of terrorism. Tharoor anticipates a general call for peace but no specific resolutions due to potential vetoes from China.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has criticized the extensive security crackdown following the Pahalgam terror attack, labeling it a «collective punishment.» In a letter to LG Manoj Sinha, she expressed concern over the reported 3,000 arrests and 100 PSA detentions.
Amidst escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan is set to significantly increase its defense budget by 18%, exceeding Rs 2.5 trillion. This decision, driven by consensus between major political parties, comes after India announced punitive measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
K V Rabiya, a social worker and literacy champion from Kerala, has died at 59. Despite battling polio, she launched a literacy campaign in 1992. Rabiya empowered many through education. She received the Padma Shri in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over her death. Her organisation, Chalanam, focused on education and rehabilitation.
The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition questioning Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's Indian citizenship. A BJP worker from Karnataka, S Vignesh Shishir, filed the petition. He alleged Gandhi possessed dual citizenship, making him ineligible to contest elections. The court had previously granted the Home Ministry time to verify information from the UK.
President Vladimir Putin conveyed his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, assuring Russia's support in combating terrorism and emphasizing the need for justice. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Russia partnership.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited riot-affected Murshidabad, accusing the BJP-led Centre of instigating communal tensions. She alleged the BSF's actions escalated the violence and accused the BJP of forcibly relocating victims to prevent them from meeting her. Banerjee also criticized the NHRC's swift response to Murshidabad, questioning their absence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting a pre-planned conspiracy.
The Border Security Force is set to bolster its operational capabilities with 16 new battalions, adding approximately 17,000 personnel. This expansion follows initial approval and includes establishing forward headquarters for western and eastern commands, overseeing the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. The move addresses heightened security concerns, particularly after political shifts in Bangladesh and recent terror attacks.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that the central government's agreement to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census is due to pressure, highlighting Rahul Gandhi's advocacy on the issue. Jairam Ramesh criticized PM Modi for a «U-turn» on the caste census, noting the government's prior opposition.
Recent tensions escalate as Pakistan Army initiates unprovoked firing across the LoC, and with Pakistan demanding UNSC consultations. The Supreme Court is set to decide on the Waqf Amendment Act. Meanwhile, US President Trump imposes a 100% tariff on foreign films, citing threats to Hollywood. In sports, Rishabh Pant attributes LSG's defeat to misjudging conditions and costly errors.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Arshad Madani questioned the practicality of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, highlighting the river's age-old flow. This follows the government's decision after the Pahalgam attack and Pakistan's strong condemnation, with some officials even terming it an «act of war.» Pakistan vows to retaliate against any construction on the Indus River.
The Supreme Court dismissed Sultana Begum's plea to reclaim the Red Fort, deeming her claim as the widow of Bahadur Shah Zafar II’s great-grandson misconceived and meritless. The court questioned why only the Red Fort was being claimed and not other historical sites. Begum argued her family was wrongfully deprived of the fort after the 1857 war of independence.
Sanjay Raut praised Rahul Gandhi's response regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, calling him a «clean-hearted» politician who accepts mistakes. Raut highlighted the significance of Gandhi taking responsibility, even for events before his political involvement.
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district discovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from a destroyed terrorist hideout, including IEDs and wireless sets. This discovery follows a recent deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, prompting heightened security measures across the state with increased checkpoints and deployments.
Pakistan has requested an emergency meeting with the UN Security Council to address escalating tensions with India, citing concerns over alleged aggressive actions and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The UNSC, under Greece's presidency, scheduled closed consultations for May 5 to discuss the matter.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, acknowledging BJP's role in his initial rise to power under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has pledged his unwavering commitment to the NDA alliance. He attributed his past departures to party colleagues, specifically pointing to Lallan Singh's influence.
Over 14 lakh candidates await the release of the subject-wise schedule for CUET-UG 2025, which is scheduled from May 8 to June 1. The NTA is yet to announce the exam dates and centre details, causing anxiety among aspirants. City intimation slips and admit cards are expected to be released soon on the official website.