RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat urged public devotion to cows, suggesting it would end slaughter, drawing parallels to the Ram Temple movement. He advocated for supporting cow shelters and emphasized that public sentiment drives systemic change. Bhagwat also expressed confidence in India becoming a global leader, guided by spiritual values and compassion.

Assam Police searched Congress leader Pawan Khera's Delhi residence in connection with allegations against CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his family. Electronic devices and «incriminating material» were seized. Khera was not found, with Sarma claiming he fled to Hyderabad. Congress accuses the CM of misusing state machinery.

Rajya Sabha chairman CP Radhakrishnan has rejected the opposition's motion to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He stated that while the allegations are relevant for political discussion, they do not meet the constitutional threshold for removal proceedings. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha also dismissed a similar notice.

Assam Police searched Congress leader Pawan Khera's Delhi residence following an FIR by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife over passport allegations. Khera had claimed Sarma's wife held three passports, a charge denied by the BJP. The Chief Minister vowed strong action, accusing Congress of using unauthorized documents and alleging Pakistani links.

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has strongly criticized Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for his provocative statement targeting Kolkata. Singh warned Islamabad against repeating past mistakes, referencing the 1971 division of Pakistan. This exchange follows Asif's threat to strike Kolkata if India launches a «false-flag operation.»

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin criticises Puducherry's chief minister N Rangasamy as a puppet. He claims the LG holds excessive power, sidelining the elected government. Stalin argues that this power imbalance hinders governance and accountability. He advocates for full statehood to restore authority to the elected leadership. The upcoming polls are framed as a vote against this imbalance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused authorities of selectively removing names from voter rolls ahead of assembly elections. She stated that nearly 91 lakh voters were deleted post-revision, with her intervention in the Supreme Court restoring about 32 lakh names. Banerjee alleged that specific communities were targeted in these deletions.

The Election Commission has announced the commencement of the silence period for Assam legislative assembly elections from 5:00 PM today, prohibiting all forms of campaigning, including public meetings and social media dissemination. This 48-hour period before polling on April 9 aims to ensure a free and fair electoral process, with strict compliance mandated for all stakeholders.

The Supreme Court ruled that banks are not required to provide personal oral hearings before classifying accounts as fraudulent. However, banks must furnish customers with a forensic audit report prior to such classification. This decision acknowledges the infeasibility of individual hearings given the significant rise in bank fraud cases.

Nearly 91 lakh names were removed from West Bengal's electoral rolls after a special revision exercise. The Election Commission's data shows significant deletions, impacting the voter base. While some deletions were finalized, others remain under adjudication. Electoral rolls for the first phase of assembly elections have now been frozen.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated new medical facilities at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment. These state-of-the-art centers will enhance tertiary care for the Armed Forces Medical Services, focusing on ophthalmology, oncology, and joint replacements. Singh emphasized the critical role of health security in national defense and military operations.

Nearly 27 lakh voters in West Bengal face exclusion from the electoral roll as their claims were rejected by judicial officers. The Supreme Court has ruled against the inclusion of names pending appeals, citing the burden on tribunals and potential chaos. Deletions now stand at 88.8 lakh, impacting 11.6% of the electorate.

Five youths are accused of sexually harassing a Japanese tourist near Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur. The group allegedly pushed the woman, held her, and attempted to kiss her before fleeing when she raised the alarm and a security guard approached. An FIR has been registered, but no arrests have been made.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed West Asia's stability with his Iranian counterpart, emphasizing support for regional peace efforts. Conversations with Qatar and the UAE also touched upon military escalation and its security implications. Iran highlighted alleged «heinous crimes» by «aggressors,» while Qatar urged an end to «unjustified Iranian attacks» and stressed de-escalation.

A 23-year-old Jammu man, Sachin Khajuria, who went to Russia for a job, was sent to the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war and has now been cremated after his death was confirmed. He is the second from Jammu to die in the conflict, with families alleging youths were duped by agents promising civilian jobs but were forced into the army.

Heavy rains unleashed massive landslides in Ramban, completely obstructing the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Mud and falling stones choked the road between Karol Bridge and Chanderkote, stranding numerous vehicles. Officials indicated that clearing efforts are underway, but continuous rainfall significantly hinders any immediate reopening of this crucial all-weather route.

Jammu and Kashmir has lost nearly 3,000 hectares of lakes since 1967, with 315 lakes disappearing and remaining ones shrinking. This significant loss, detailed in a CAG report, degraded ecosystems and contributed to the devastating 2014 Kashmir floods by reducing natural flood buffers.

Cancer-stricken children experienced a mood transformation during a visit to Srinagar's Tulip Garden, part of SKIMS' novel immunotherapy initiative. The outing aimed to boost their immunity and optimism, offering a much-needed respite from hospital wards and providing reassurance to both the children and their families.

Aam Aadmi Party's decision to contest all seats in Kerala assembly polls creates a new challenge for Congress. This move mirrors AAP's impact in Gujarat, where it reduced Congress's vote share. AAP's presence could alter the political landscape, potentially benefiting the ruling Left. The INDIA bloc faces internal friction as AAP expands its national footprint.

Three suspects were detained after a car breached Delhi Assembly security, placing a bouquet and garland in the Speaker's vehicle before fleeing. The SUV, with a UP registration, broke through Gate 2, triggering a high alert. Authorities conducted a thorough sweep, finding no explosives. The motive remains unclear amid recent bomb threats.

The 10-page-long notice carried a chargesheet on seven counts. ​​The charges ranged from partisan conduct of CEC to mass disenfranchisement of voters. The opposition had also raised the issue of the way CEC handled SIR in previous elections like Bihar and forthcoming elections in states like West Bengal; his «proved misbehaviour»; his partial conduct towards a political party are also issues that find a mention in the notice.

Assam CM's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, vehemently denied Congress claims of holding foreign passports and undisclosed overseas assets. She challenged Assam Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi to disclose his wife's bank account details in Pakistan. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Congress of using fake, Pakistan-sourced documents and stated an FIR was filed.