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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
The prominence of migration highlights a longstanding problem for India's electoral system.
Nepal's Hindu groups have sought an all-party discussion on restoring Hindu-nation status within three months.
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.
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.
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.
'Eastern Ladakh set the relationship back by about 10 steps. So far, especially since Galwan, we may have taken just 4 steps forward.'
Earlier, the girl issued an apology video on social media on Saturday saying she had been "influenced."
A political controversy has erupted over the inclusion of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha's name in Delhi's electoral rolls. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged procedural irregularities, questioning how his name appeared in the Rajinder Nagar constituency's voter list despite the draft rolls showing fewer entries. Poll officials confirm Chadha's name was added through the updation process after being removed from Punjab's rolls, while Chadha dismisses AAP's claims as a 'bitter ex' reaction.
Political leaders and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, joined devotees across the country in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with traditional fervour, offering prayers and seeking blessings.
The Supreme Court has taken a serious view of allegations of harassment against a minor girl who participated in the July Cockroach Janta Party protests. The court emphasised that nobody should be allowed to intimidate a victim or her family from pursuing criminal proceedings and directed the Solicitor General to ensure action on the girl's FIR, seeking reports from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have confirmed that Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi next month.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has accused armed BJP men of vandalising the party's Camac Street office in Kolkata, damaging property and stealing items. The BJP has denied the allegations, calling them staged. The incident further intensifies the political confrontation between the two parties in West Bengal, following a recent dispute over a billboard at the same premises.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached a crucial consensus during the BRICS summit, agreeing that China and India should be partners, not rivals. The leaders pledged to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas, deepen cooperation, and support each other in multilateral forums, aiming to strengthen the Global South and promote a multipolar world order.
New Delhi was told it had given something up; in reality it had stopped talking about it, notes Dr Abhishek Puri.
Swatantra Bharadwaj, accused of assaulting Nishu Azad's father during a CJP protest, claims he acted in self-defence against a mob, stating he has video evidence and that medical reports show no serious injuries, contradicting earlier claims of a skull fracture.
The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, labelling it a "UPI tax" and demanding its immediate rollback. He drew parallels with demonetisation, arguing that the new framework would negatively impact small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary citizens by increasing prices.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties are not liable for false details in electoral enumeration forms that cannot be personally verified. The court clarified that BLAs are only responsible for verifiable information, such as an elector's photograph, and struck down the Election Commission of India's mandate requiring BLAs to provide personal undertakings for all details.
Delhi Police has assured the arrest of Swatantra Bharadwaj within 72 hours, who is accused of assaulting student activist Nishu Azad's father during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The assurance follows a video where Bharadwaj admitted to the assault and claims of political connections, prompting demands for stronger charges and action against online abuse targeting Nishu.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for a three-day trip to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships and addressing international issues, with Putin also scheduled to meet other world leaders.
Harikesh Patel, a former member of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), has been arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for allegedly obtaining a second passport using forged documents. Patel had previously surrendered his original passport in connection with an ED money laundering case. He reportedly used the fraudulently obtained passport for international travel.
The 72nd National Film Awards celebrated outstanding contributions to Indian cinema, with Yami Gautam, Kartik Aaryan, Mammootty, Dhanush, and Sanjay Mishra among the prominent winners.
Ideology is dead; long live the numbers game that is being played with the sole intention of securing a two-third majority in the Lok Sabha for the NDA, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed rumours of his shift to national politics, asserting his commitment to the state. He also commented on the NEET paper leak issue, supporting the Union government's actions and criticising Uddhav Thackeray's remarks.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged BRICS nations to expand trade in national currencies and build an inclusive global economic framework. He criticised "unilateral sanctions" by Western powers, stating they make emerging economies vulnerable and impact global food security. Pezeshkian emphasised BRICS' role in creating a balanced world order and highlighted Iran's geopolitical and energy capacities for cooperation.
BJP President Nitin Nabin has summoned three Delhi MPs, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Yogender Chandolia, expressing strong displeasure over their controversial visit to the residence of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. This action comes amidst strong condemnation from other BJP leaders and highlights the ongoing political sensitivity surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday was marked by a flurry of greetings from global leaders, including Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, all underscoring strengthening bilateral ties and India's increasing stature on the world stage.
Seven-time champions India are strong favourites against Bangladesh in the Women's Asia Cup semi-final. The match carries an underlying political subtext, adding to the intensity. India's dominant form, led by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in batting and Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh in bowling, contrasts with Bangladesh's more resilient path to the semi-finals.
Activist Manish Brahmbhatt has launched the Cockroach Janta Party-Democratic (CJP-D) as an alternative to the existing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Brahmbhatt alleges that the CJP, led by Abhijeet Dipke, has deviated from its student-led origins, becoming too aligned with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and failing to represent its diverse volunteer base, particularly regarding issues like examination paper leaks.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was detained in Uttar Pradesh following a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding his arrest for allegedly assaulting a student's father and bragging about it, while the victim's daughter reported receiving rape threats and online abuse.
Amidst ongoing ethnic tensions, a new political alignment in Manipur sees Meitei and Naga groups uniting to demand an update to the National Register of Citizens with a 1951 base year, a move fiercely opposed by Kuki-Zo communities who fear it will disenfranchise them.
'Modi had his own cricket team in his school days. He was a good cricketer.'
