One of the notable celebrations includes the Rath Yatra -- a spectacular procession through the streets with Lord Mahavir's idol on a chariot, with followers accompanying it while chanting hymns and performing prayers.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the unresolved Singur land issue, claiming farmers feel betrayed and the land remains unproductive.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a crop loss assessment following recent inclement weather and promised compensation to affected farmers. The announcement came as Mann presented a report on the power department and addressed other issues including sacrilege laws and drug enforcement.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid at the residence of former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee in connection with the school jobs scam. This follows his release on bail after being arrested in 2022.
A 26-year-old man, accused in a murder case, who had escaped from a mental health centre in Kozhikode three months ago, was apprehended in Mumbai on Saturday, police said.
For India, much is at stake: Crucial energy supplies traversing the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of its 10 million citizens living and working in West Asia -- who send generous remittances home -- and its major trade links with the region.
A special court in Thane, Maharashtra, has sentenced the mastermind of an investment fraud to rigorous imprisonment and ordered the auction of his properties to repay duped investors.
A boat capsized in the Yamuna River in Vrindavan, India, carrying tourists primarily from Punjab, resulting in multiple fatalities, injuries, and missing persons. The incident occurred during a devotional trip to Mathura, turning a pilgrimage into a tragedy for families from Ludhiana and Jagraon.
A parliamentary panel has been informed that the prevalence of hypertension among Indian Army's junior commissioned officers and other ranks is lower than the national average, according to data up to December 31, 2023.
The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offence Wing (ACB/EOW) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against four individuals for alleged irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment and reagent chemicals in 2023, resulting in significant financial losses to the state.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at premises linked to Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora as part of a FEMA probe into alleged foreign exchange violations, insider trading, and round-tripping of funds.
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra has established a five-member committee to investigate recent student suicide cases on campus. This action follows a series of tragic incidents, including the alleged suicide of a 19-year-old B.Tech student, which sparked protests and raised concerns about student welfare and mental health support within the institution.
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a significant increase in cyber fraud cases, with hundreds of cases registered and substantial financial losses reported. The state government is taking measures to combat this rise, including establishing cyber help desks and providing specialised training to officers.
The BJP has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of using 'victim card' politics to gain sympathy during the assembly elections, dismissing claims of threats to her life as a political strategy.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday claimed that Governor R N Ravi 'insulted' the gubernatorial position he holds, by not reading out the speech at the commencement of the assembly session.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a series of nationwide guidelines aimed at improving road safety on national highways, addressing issues such as illegal parking and accident blackspots.
Union Minister Annpurna Devi has condemned the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Jharkhand and called for immediate arrests and strict punishment for the perpetrators. She also criticised the state government's response.
Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule denies allegations of owning hundreds of acres of land and announces a defamation suit. He also addresses concerns about housing irregularities and farm loan waivers.
The Chhattisgarh government has suspended Inspector General of Police Ratan Lal Dangi following a complaint of harassment and financial irregularities. An inquiry has been ordered into the allegations.
An explosion outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh caused panic and prompted an investigation by the National Investigation Agency. No casualties were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about security and law and order in the region.
Punjab BJP leaders condemn the blast outside their headquarters, attributing it to forces against peace and brotherhood in the state and criticising the Chief Minister over law and order.
Four women have been arrested for allegedly attacking a gynaecologist at a government hospital in Perinthalmanna, Kerala, following the death of a patient. The Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) has condemned the attack and called for better resources in delivery centres.
Punjab BJP leaders condemn the blast outside their headquarters, attributing it to forces against peace and brotherhood in the state and criticising the Chief Minister over law and order.
'She was not a yes person. She would tell the truth and her feelings to Indira Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi would value her opinion. The same was the case with Rajiv Gandhi who would value her opinion.'
rediffGURU Vipul Bhavsar answers readers' personal income tax queries
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called for celebrating Dr B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary as a 'festival of his thoughts', emphasising the need to spread his ideas across all sections of society. Preparations are underway for the 135th birth anniversary on April 14, with a focus on public awareness and grand celebrations.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) held a protest in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, against the alleged desecration of a B.R. Ambedkar statue, demanding immediate arrests and threatening further agitation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged voters to cast their ballots in the upcoming assembly polls as a form of 'revenge' for the deletion of names from electoral rolls, alleging foul play and urging vigilance during the election process.
Odisha vigilance officers arrested the parents of a previously arrested banker, along with another individual, for allegedly embezzling Rs 5.56 crore in government funds in the Jajpur district. The accused are Pradip Kumar Mohanty, his wife Gitarani Mohanty, and Bishnu Prasad Dash. The funds were fraudulently diverted over six years.
Punjab Jails Minister Ravjot Singh reviewed the functioning of the state prisons department and called for stronger measures to curb illegal activities in prisons. The meeting addressed overcrowding, high-risk prisoner management, and infrastructure improvements.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has vowed to take strict action against any police personnel found involved in the drug trade, addressing concerns raised by the opposition regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, accusing them of lawlessness, corruption, and enabling illegal infiltration. He promised to initiate a special inquiry against facilitators of infiltration and to deport unauthorised entrants if the BJP comes to power in the state.
The TMC has accused the BJP of instigating unrest in Malda, West Bengal, and criticised Prime Minister Modi for allegedly spreading misinformation regarding women's safety in the state. The BJP denies the allegations, asserting that the TMC is responsible for lawlessness.
IT major Wipro reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 3,501.8 crore for March quarter FY26, a 1.89 per cent decrease from the previous year, amidst a challenging macroeconomic environment. The company also announced a mega Rs 15,000 crore share repurchase programme.
The Bombay High Court has overturned orders that blocked an open inquiry into a former Pune municipal official's alleged disproportionate assets, paving the way for a probe into assets worth around 2,000 crore.
Nine people, including women, have been arrested and jailed for allegedly vandalising a liquor shop in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, during a protest against its opening.
AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal has released an open letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging secret deals with BJP leaders and the central government, raising questions about the LDF government's functioning ahead of the Assembly elections.
A boiler explosion at a power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district resulted in nine fatalities and fifteen injuries, prompting rescue operations and a government investigation.
Former Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has been arrested in connection with the deaths during the Gen Z protests last year, following the implementation of a probe commission's report.
The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the awarding of public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh to companies allegedly owned by family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
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