Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has been released from Tihar Jail on three weeks' interim bail in connection with an alleged assault case. A Delhi court imposed strict conditions, including a ban on discussing the case publicly or contacting the complainant, and will review his conduct before considering regular bail.
Retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Thursday approached the Delhi high court seeking to be made a party in a matter concerning the hostel building collapse in Satya Niketan that left seven people dead, saying she wanted to bring forth "critical public domain disclosures" and the "nexus" in the operation of PG hostels.
The Asian Games, a major multi-sport event, has a long history of controversies extending beyond the sporting arena. From diplomatic disputes and selection rows to doping scandals and disputed decisions, these incidents have often highlighted the intersection of politics, national interests, and sports.
The first phase of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls recorded a 36% voter turnout, with a keen contest between ABVP, NSUI, and the AISA-SFI alliance. Student concerns like accountability, affordable accommodation, and accessible administration were prominent, influenced by past protests. The election also saw allegations between student groups and extensive security arrangements.
India's national security adviser was in Dhaka for roughly three-quarters of the day on Thursday to prepare the ground for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to New Delhi.
Putin has issued a stark warning to European nations, declaring that any deployment of troops to Ukraine would be met with 'war with Russia'.
The INDIA bloc is set to convene on September 30 in New Delhi to formulate a unified strategy regarding the Election Commission, focusing on the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The meeting will also address coordinated protests and the CEC selection process, bringing together diverse opposition parties.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has highlighted a report indicating internal differences within the Election Commission of India, questioning why two Election Commissioners reportedly sought an appointment with the Cabinet Secretary. She alleged centralisation of power, lack of transparency in voter list processes, and raised concerns over the commissioners not signing a press release, demanding an investigation into these matters.
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, protested alleged rape claims, leading to a 15-hour blockage of National Highway-44 and clashes with police. The university suspended classes and postponed exams. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the AAP government of instigating the unrest to disrupt an upcoming Amit Shah rally, while police registered a rape case and formed an SIT despite LPU calling the claims "rumours."
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) flagged the proposed screening of an uncertified documentary on jailed activist Umar Khalid at IIIT-Hyderabad, citing violations of the Cinematograph Act. IIIT-Hyderabad subsequently distanced itself from the event, stating no recognised student bodies had organised it. The screening, titled "Prisoner No. 626710 is Present," was reportedly cancelled by students, following a similar postponement at NLSIU Bengaluru due to opposition.
Fifteen-year-old Delhi chess prodigy Vandan Alankar Sawai stuns World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in an online blitz tournament.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he has 'undermined' voter rights by excluding over 13 crore names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Xi's bilateral meeting with Modi was substantial and readouts from both sides gave indications of rapprochement, if not a reset of bilateral relations between India and China, notes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Xi brought in asymmetrical power play by stating that India should have 'strategic cognition' and 'strategic judgement made on the basis of the stage of development the two countries are at'. This is a very nuanced way of asserting China's coercive diplomatic posture and reflects Beijing's penchant to unleash border instability at will, restrict rare earth metal exports, exert pressure on India at global and regional orders, asserts China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit, his first to India in nearly seven years, comes amidst efforts to normalise India-China relations following the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff and is expected to have significant implications for bilateral ties and BRICS cooperation.
The Supreme Court has stayed an Allahabad High Court order that directed Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation from her salary for the detention of student Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA). The High Court had quashed Chaudhary's detention, criticising the DM's conduct and ordering compensation. The Supreme Court issued notice on pleas from Roopam and the Uttar Pradesh government, also staying the High Court's observations against the DM, with further hearing scheduled for October 7.
The Supreme Court has modified its interim order, staying the strictures and compensation directive passed by the Allahabad High Court against Noida DM Medha Roopam. The High Court had ordered Roopam to pay Rs 5 lakh from her salary for the detention of student Akriti Chaudhary under the NSA, criticising the DM's conduct. The Supreme Court's interim order specifically stays paragraphs 27 to 33 of the High Court judgment, which contained the strictures and cost award, but does not stay the quashing of Chaudhary's detention.
The Congress party, through leader Jairam Ramesh, took a veiled swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by invoking a Bollywood song and sharing Jawaharlal Nehru's notes from the 1955 Bandung Conference. This move came after the BRICS Delhi Declaration referenced the Bandung Conference, which advocated for a fairer and more inclusive multilateral system, amidst Modi's frequent criticism of Nehru.
The Congress party criticised the all-vegetarian menu served at the BRICS Summit gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Rahul Gandhi highlighting that 80% of Indians are non-vegetarian. The party accused the BJP government of imposing its dietary preferences and questioned why India's diverse culinary culture was not showcased.
The Centre has ordered the deployment of 20 additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Delhi. These forces are being airlifted from West Bengal to strengthen security measures in response to CJP protests, demonstrations by various political parties, and the ongoing Parliament session, following instances of violent clashes.
'This is what we train for: That one chance to deliver a blow so lethal that the enemy will constantly think about it when planning any misadventure.'
Union Minister Chirag Paswan has pledged to ensure justice for Nishu Azad's father, who was severely injured during protests at Jantar Mantar. Paswan has filed a formal complaint against Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, who allegedly assaulted Azad's father and boasted about it, claiming political connections. Bhardwaj has since been detained. Paswan also called for an investigation into molestation allegations against a state minister from his party.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
The successful hosting of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi has provided a significant boost to the BJP, offering a timely opportunity to strengthen its narrative against the opposition ahead of crucial assembly elections next year. BJP sources highlight the BRICS grouping's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and the consensus declaration as major diplomatic victories for the Modi government, countering criticisms of its foreign policy. The party plans to leverage these outcomes during its month-long Seva Sankalp campaign to connect with various sections of society.
The BJP knows that there is no leader in its ranks who can match Modi's popularity or have his cult following, and what awaits is a return to the Vajpayee numbers, when allies called the shots, argues Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
During the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting, outlining a four-point approach for the steady and long-term development of China-India relations. The leaders stressed strategic understanding, win-win cooperation, mutual respect, and inclusive multilateral engagement, reaffirming their commitment to resolving the boundary question and addressing economic concerns. They also discussed global challenges and strengthening people-to-people ties.
The political confidence required to place high-end Japanese aircraft and personnel on Indian soil is itself a data point.
It indicates a level of trust that would have been difficult to imagine when India-Japan defence ties were largely symbolic, explains Varun Arya.
The Delhi High Court will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an investigation into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar. The PIL alleges that the protest, initially framed as a student agitation, involved political leaders, foreign-funded organisations, and resulted in public disruption and damage, raising concerns about national security and public order.
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has voiced concerns over the Centre's decision to introduce Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, urging protection for small traders and common people. This move has sparked a political debate, with the BJP defending the charges as beneficial for digital infrastructure and largely not impacting consumers, while the Congress and traders' associations criticise it as an additional burden.
'Eastern Ladakh set the relationship back by about 10 steps. So far, especially since Galwan, we may have taken just 4 steps forward.'
Nepal's Hindu groups have sought an all-party discussion on restoring Hindu-nation status within three months.
The prominence of migration highlights a longstanding problem for India's electoral system.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj, known for provocative social media posts and claims of political proximity, has been detained in Bulandshahr. His detention follows a viral video where he boasted about assaulting a Jantar Mantar protester's father, leaving him with severe injuries, and claiming to have avoided jail due to political connections. Police acted after public outcry and protests.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has been remanded to one-day judicial custody by a Delhi court in connection with the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police have added charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and criminal intimidation, along with a POCSO case, following his detention and previous claims of "cracking the skull" of the activist's father.
Earlier, the girl issued an apology video on social media on Saturday saying she had been "influenced."
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 'deshdrohis' (traitors) for allegedly 'destroying' India's voting system and 'stealing elections'.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has been granted three weeks' interim bail by a Delhi court in a case involving the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a Jantar Mantar protest. Bhardwaj was previously in judicial custody after being detained following public outrage over his claims of assault and political connections.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, strongly criticised Pakistan for its support of terrorism, asserting India's right to self-defence and stating that friendship cannot coexist with terrorism. He also highlighted India's global responsibilities, contributions to the Global South, and its stance on reformed multilateralism and AI.
'Therefore, Beijing comes to wrong conclusions.'
