Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted in Rajya Sabha that the division of 'Vande Mataram' for appeasement politics fueled India's partition. He emphasised the song's enduring relevance in fostering cultural nationalism and driving the nation towards a developed future. Shah criticised the opposition for linking the debate to West Bengal elections, highlighting the song's historical significance during the freedom struggle.

Advocate Rakesh Kishore reported an attack at Karkardooma Court. He stated 100-150 individuals assaulted him with slippers. They cited his previous shoe-hurling incident against former CJI B R Gavai. Kishore also mentioned they accused Gavai of insulting Sanatan Dharma. A video of the incident is circulating online. Kishore's license was suspended pending inquiry.

Aviation authorities have slashed IndiGo's winter flight schedule by 10% following widespread passenger disruptions. The airline, which previously faced a 5% cut, will now operate significantly fewer flights due to internal mismanagement of crew rosters and inadequate communication. This move aims to stabilize operations and reduce cancellations, with IndiGo submitting a revised schedule soon.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Dr Bilal Naseer Malla for allegedly destroying evidence and harbouring a deceased accused in connection with the Red Fort car blast. This marks the eighth arrest in the case, which is being investigated as a terrorist strike linked to a Jaish-e-Mohammed module.

Prime Minister Modi declared India is in a «Reform Express» phase, prioritising citizen well-being and ease of life alongside business. He urged MPs to address ground-level issues, aiming to simplify governance by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and paperwork. The PM also voiced concern over IndiGo's flight disruptions, emphasizing that system improvements shouldn't inconvenience the public.

Rajya Sabha session on Vande Mataram's 150 years turned combative as Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused BJP's predecessors of working for the British. Home minister Amit Shah rejected claims of political timing, urging members to view the song's significance beyond elections.

The BJP has sharply criticised Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress government of failing to fulfill poll promises and resorting to authoritarianism. The party alleged arrests followed a social media poster criticising the CM's «two-year failure,» highlighting corruption and misgovernance. Congress defended its record, citing financial challenges and commitment to guarantees.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that rules must aid, not harass the public, amidst IndiGo's ongoing flight crisis. The airline's operational issues stem from new pilot rest rules, impacting thousands of passengers. Union minister Kiren Rijiju conveyed the PM's concern, emphasising passenger convenience and urging MPs to focus on public-centric reforms.

Banks and RBI informed the Supreme Court that personal hearings before declaring accounts fraudulent are unfeasible due to a surge in cases. With tens of thousands of frauds annually, the sheer volume makes individual hearings impractical, potentially hindering the fraud declaration process. The regulator emphasized operational challenges and left the decision to banks' discretion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of betraying 'Vande Mataram' under pressure from Mohammed Ali Jinnah, citing appeasement politics. He highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's praise for the song, noting its significance as a unifying force against British rule. Modi criticized the Congress's 1937 decision to limit the song's recital, linking it to the eventual division of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her 79th birthday. The Congress party lauded her «visionary» leadership, attributing landmark rights-based laws like MGNREGA and the Right to Information to her tenure as UPA chairperson, which significantly impacted millions of lives.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has questioned Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's scientific basis for claims on air pollution, particularly her assertion that AQI is a type of temperature. Gupta defended water spraying at pollution hotspots as a solution, a practice she stated was also employed by previous governments.

Amidst ongoing flight disruptions, the government is weighing the option of cutting IndiGo's flight schedule by 5%, with plans to redistribute these time slots to other carriers. IndiGo has acknowledged the issues, attributing them to recent duty requirements and changes in their winter travel timetable.

The Supreme Court has allowed an SC certificate for a minor based on her mother's caste, even though her father is non-SC. This decision, made to prevent academic hardship, raises questions about whether children should inherit caste from their mother. The court acknowledged the evolving societal norms, hinting at a potential shift in established practices.

The Supreme Court encountered its first AI misuse case where a litigant submitted a response with hundreds of fabricated legal precedents. Senior advocates highlighted the grave concern of AI-generated false case laws impacting judicial decisions. While acknowledging the error, the court proceeded to hear the case on its merits, emphasizing the need for caution.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has granted the administration and the Centre three months to respond to petitions challenging a ban on 25 Kashmir-related books. The ban, imposed by the home department, claims the books promote a «false narrative» and «secessionism.» A three-judge bench will hear the petitions, which argue the ban violates free speech guarantees.

A Kupwara court has denied bail to eight policemen, including a deputy SP, accused of torturing a constable for six days in February 2023. The constable's wife alleged brutal torture, including the insertion of an iron rod into his rectum. The Supreme Court had directed the CBI to register a case following the wife's plea.

A crucial parliamentary panel has raised alarming issues regarding the handling of the National Testing Agency's (NTA) exams in 2024, highlighting repeated delays, incidents of paper leaks, and various mistakes. The committee has advocated for a shift back to traditional pen-and-paper assessments, similar to those used by CBSE and UPSC.

In a fiery session in Parliament, Trinamool Congress slammed the government for allegedly using the 'Vande Mataram' discourse as a political distraction ahead of the West Bengal elections, branding it as a 'poorly executed farce.' MPs voiced their concerns over the BJP's 'polarizing' tactics, while Akhilesh Yadav from SP labelled their moves as 'nationally contentious.

India's MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that «democracy and Pakistan don't go together» while monitoring developments. He also highlighted strong India-US counter-terrorism cooperation, with both nations pushing for tougher UN actions against Pakistan-based terror groups like LeT and JeM.

Kejriwal is on a three-day visit to Gujarat and addressed the media during a press conference in Rajkot, where he also met families of farmers who were recently detained.

The Army Service Corps celebrated its 265th Corps Day in Bengaluru, honoring its rich history of supporting Indian military campaigns. The event included wreath-laying ceremonies and tributes to fallen soldiers and animal transport units. The Corps reaffirmed its commitment to evolving logistics, embracing new technologies, and maintaining its motto of service.

The ministry of external affairs on Monday welcomed the UK government's decision to impose sanctions on pro-Khalistan extremist networks linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa, calling it a significant step in strengthening global efforts against terrorism and illicit financial flows.

Political fireworks erupted over Vande Mataram as PM Modi and Congress leaders clashed, highlighting the centrality of historical narratives. Meanwhile, IndiGo's ongoing flight cancellations and substantial refunds continued to impact passengers and the aviation sector. Markets adopted a cautious stance amid global uncertainties, while cricketer Smriti Mandhana refocuses on her career after personal plans shifted.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has urged Chinese authorities to ensure fair treatment for Indian travelers transiting through their airports. This statement follows reports of alleged harassment of an Arunachal Pradesh woman, prompting an advisory for Indian nationals to exercise caution when traveling to or through China.