Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conveyed Janmashtami wishes, lauding Lord Krishna as a symbol of truth and justice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings, calling Janmashtami a sacred festival. Celebrations unfolded across India, including Tripura, where chief minister Manik Saha joined devotees, and Gujarat's Dwarka, which enhanced security for the festival.

Rahul Gandhi intensified his criticism of the Election Commission, employing a parody video to highlight alleged vote theft. The Congress party has launched a «Vote Chori se Azaadi» campaign and announced a «VoterAdhikarYatra» from Bihar, directly challenging perceived electoral manipulation.

A 71-year-old woman in Mumbai was defrauded of Rs 18.5 lakh after attempting to order milk online. She received a call from a scammer posing as a milk company executive, who tricked her into clicking a link and sharing her banking details. Consequently, the fraudster emptied her three bank accounts, leading to a significant financial loss.

PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary. He acknowledged Vajpayee's service to India. PM Modi said his contributions continued to inspire the nation.Several Union ministers visited Sadaiv Atal, Vajpayee’s memorial in Delhi. Kiren Rijiju, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Sanjay Jha, and Rekha Gupta were present. Vajpayee, the first BJP prime minister, passed away in 2018.

Mumbai grappled with heavy rainfall on Saturday, leading to waterlogged streets and a tragic landslide in Vikhroli that claimed two lives and injured two others. The IMD has issued a red alert for Mumbai and neighboring districts, forecasting continued intense rainfall. In Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon death toll has reached 257, with widespread disruptions to roads and essential services.

Prime Minister Modi urged Indian youth to develop indigenous social media platforms akin to Facebook and X, emphasizing digital sovereignty and secure technological ecosystems. He highlighted the success of India's UPI platform, which accounts for 50% of global real-time transactions, and challenged the youth to create homegrown alternatives to prevent wealth outflow and ensure data security.

Prime Minister Modi, in his I-Day speech, rejected the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, deeming it unjust and detrimental to Indian farmers. He asserted India's right to utilize its water resources and vowed to end «nuclear blackmail.» Modi lauded Operation Sindoor, highlighting the destruction of terrorist infrastructure and emphasizing India's self-reliance in defense.

The absence of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge from the Independence Day event at Red Fort sparked controversy, with BJP leaders accusing Congress of disrespecting the nation. Congress sources cited concerns over discriminatory seating arrangements and protocol as the reason for their leaders' absence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from the Red Fort, acknowledging its century-long contribution to nation-building as a «proud and golden chapter.» He praised the organization's dedication to national service and character-building. Modi also honored Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, emphasizing the removal of Article 370 as a tribute to his vision of a unified nation.

Congress criticized PM Modi's Independence Day speech, particularly his mention of the RSS, deeming it a violation of secular principles and an attempt to appease the organization. Opposition parties, including CPM and TMC, also condemned the speech, with TMC accusing Modi of targeting «infiltrators.» Sena (UBT) remarked on Modi's endorsement of 'swadeshi', likening it to Congress's historical stance.

Prime Minister Modi delivered a 103-minute Independence Day speech, surpassing his previous record from last year and setting a new milestone. He also exceeded Indira Gandhi's record by delivering his 12th consecutive address from the Red Fort. However, Jawaharlal Nehru still holds the overall record with 17 consecutive I-Day speeches.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced grand plans to celebrate the second birth centenary of Jyotiba Phule, a 19th-century social reformer revered by OBCs for his anti-caste activism and advocacy for women's education. Modi emphasized Phule's principles of prioritizing the backward, stating his government is committed to implementing this mantra through transparent policies.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat advocates for regulating stray dog populations through sterilization and vaccination, aligning with existing Animal Birth Control rules. He opposes the Supreme Court's order to relocate strays to shelters, deeming it impractical. Bhagwat emphasizes balancing human needs with animal rights and environmental conservation, drawing parallels to traditional cattle rearing practices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra,' an indigenous air and missile defense shield, to provide complete security cover to strategic and civilian locations by 2035. This initiative, spurred by the recent cross-border tensions and threats, aims to develop a multi-layered defense system integrated with potent counter-offensive weapons.

Prime Minister Modi announced a 'high-powered demographic mission' to tackle infiltration and illegal immigration, citing threats to national security and demographic changes in border regions. He highlighted the issue of illegal immigrants impacting livelihoods and tribal lands.

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan passed away at the age of 80 in a Chennai hospital while undergoing treatment. He had been in the ICU after collapsing at his home and sustaining a head injury on August 8. Appointed in February 2023, Ganesan's death prompted condolences from PM Modi, who remembered him as a dedicated nationalist and BJP leader.

A social media post by the oil ministry on Independence Day, featuring V.D. Savarkar alongside Mahatma Gandhi, has ignited a political controversy. The opposition Congress party has accused the Modi government of distorting history and glorifying figures like Savarkar, who they deem a «traitor.» This has led to sharp criticism and accusations of disrespecting freedom fighters.

The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for not attending the Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort. Amit Malviya, BJP I-T cell chief, questioned Gandhi's absence and commitment to national events, also noting his disoriented appearance at the Congress HQ. He further emphasized that such absence sends a poor message about his commitment to national occasions.

On the 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from the Red Fort, acknowledging its century of service to the nation. He hailed the RSS as the world's largest NGO, emphasizing its dedication to nation-building and welfare.

In his Independence Day address, PM Modi highlighted India's progress and future goals. He lauded Operation Sindoor, warned against terrorism and demographic changes, and emphasised self-reliance in space. Modi also praised the RSS's contributions and cautioned against repeating the Emergency's mistakes. He addressed farmers' interests amid tariff disputes and advocated for 'Swadeshi' products, urging national unity and development.

On India's Independence Day, Russia extended warm greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging India's significant achievements across various sectors. Vladimir Putin emphasized the strategic partnership between the two nations and expressed eagerness to broaden bilateral cooperation. This message arrives amidst US tariff threats and geopolitical tensions, highlighting the enduring bond between Russia and India.