The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
The Supreme Court of India questioned the Centre regarding the eligibility of non-devotees to challenge the customs of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, during a hearing on religious freedom and discrimination against women at religious sites.
A speeding truck ran over a group of pilgrims walking to a temple in Gujarat, killing seven and injuring four.
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor's daughter, is making her acting debut at 46, joining a list of actors who took their sweet time to be bitten by the acting bug.
Bengaluru police have arrested two individuals involved in two-wheeler thefts and recovered 20 vehicles worth Rs 15 lakhs. The arrests followed a complaint filed in March, leading to the apprehension of the accused and the recovery of stolen vehicles from various locations across the city.
Kerala's voters are sophisticated, educated, and unforgiving. They have once again made it clear that no government is entitled to remain in power. The Congress would do well to remember this, points out Ramesh Menon.
Northern states in India are experiencing severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 46.6 degrees Celsius. The heatwave has impacted daily life, leading to a decline in tourism and increased power demand. Authorities have issued advisories and implemented measures to mitigate the effects of the extreme heat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the people of Karnataka to commit to nine pledges focused on sustainability, health, and local empowerment to drive development in the state and across India.
Rashmika Mandanna celebrates her birthday, and makes some lovely clicks.
Seven pilgrims were killed and others injured after being struck by a speeding truck in Gujarat's Surendranagar district. The incident occurred on the Lakhtar-Viramgam highway as the group walked to Bahucharaji as part of a religious procession.
Delhi Police have heightened security across the city ahead of Hanuman Jayanti following the arrest of a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba handler allegedly planning terror strikes. Enhanced surveillance and restrictions are in place to ensure peace during the festival.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir attended the Bhasm Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Friday.
Gambhir, who has been on a temple run since becoming India's Head Coach in 2024, also visited Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple on January 16.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of deploying its entire machinery, including Union ministers and NDA-ruled state CMs, to defeat her party in the West Bengal assembly elections. She also criticised the BJP's promises to migrant workers and alleged the misuse of central forces during the polls.
Maheshgiri alias Mahesh Dilip Kakde, who claimed to have divine powers, allegedly told them that she had been affected by 'Karni' (black magic) and asked them to perform certain rituals, an official said.
A truck accident in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to five others after the truck collided with a motorcycle and an SUV.
A land dealer was allegedly shot dead in Ranchi, Jharkhand, due to a financial dispute. Police have arrested the accused and are investigating the incident.
Police in Jaipur are investigating the alleged molestation of a Japanese tourist by five men near Jaigarh Fort. The incident occurred while the woman was walking towards a temple near the fort. Police are reviewing CCTV footage and local records to identify and apprehend the suspects.
A nine-judge Supreme Court bench has commenced hearing on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple, and the scope of religious freedom across faiths.
The Smithsonian will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India after evidence showed they were illegally removed from Tamil Nadu temples in the 1950s
A Delhi court has granted Amit Katyal, a businessman linked to Lalu Prasad's family, permission to travel for religious purposes and modified his bail conditions in a money laundering case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 'Shaurya Yatra' in Somnath, Gujarat, honouring those who defended the Somnath temple. He also offered prayers and paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that forces opposing the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after independence are still active and that India needs to be vigilant and united to counter them. He highlighted the temple's history of resilience against repeated attacks and emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made to protect it.
A 34-year-old woman has been arrested in Chakur, Latur, for allegedly murdering her seven-year-old nephew due to a land dispute with his parents. The boy was found dead after a search, and the aunt was detained based on police investigation.
Discovering the stunning land of breathtaking temples.
Unidentified individuals stole a bag containing Rs 24.30 lakh from the parked car of an accountant in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, while he was having tea.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting infiltrators and alleged her associate wants to build a Babri Masjid in the state.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a Muslim cleric from Deoband for allegedly sharing inflammatory content on social media and maintaining contacts with individuals in Pakistan.
As industrial plants boost the village's profile, locals demand priority hiring, alongside better storage facilities and water security.
The Bhabanipur assembly segment is Banerjee's political bastion, where she is locked in a prestige battle against Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in what is being seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in the 2021 assembly polls.
A clash between two groups at a gurdwara in Moers, Germany, resulted in injuries to four people and prompted a large-scale police response.
Tension prevailed in Hyderabad after a Plaster of Paris idol was partially damaged at a temple, leading to protests, attacks on police, and vandalism of a religious structure. Police have registered two cases and are investigating the incidents.
West Bengal's final phase of assembly elections focuses on the TMC's southern stronghold, where the BJP aims to make inroads. The outcome will determine whether Mamata Banerjee's party retains its dominance or if the BJP can secure a path to power.
Activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa ended his 560-day protest atop a BSNL tower after the Punjab government notified a stricter anti-sacrilege law. Khalsa had been demanding stricter laws against sacrilege incidents in Punjab.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the restriction on women of menstruating age entering Kerala's Sabarimala temple is a matter of religious faith and denominational autonomy, falling outside the purview of judicial review. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that courts should not apply 'secular standards of reason' to religious practices.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi intensified the UDF's campaign for the Kerala polls, accusing the CPI(M) of stealing gold from the Sabarimala temple and questioning PM Modi's silence on the issue. He also addressed concerns about rubber prices and the FCRA amendments.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, Tamil Nadu government, and others regarding a plea for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take over the Thirupparankundram temple and ensure daily lamp lighting on a stone pillar.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised the TMC government in West Bengal, alleging the closure of numerous industries and a decline in the state's cultural and economic status.
The campaign for the current election cycle ended on Monday as canvassing for the final phase in West Bengal concluded with a bitter war of words between rival parties over cross-border infiltration, corruption, unemployment and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi accuses Narendra Modi of remaining silent on the Sabarimala issue to protect the interests of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, alleging a hidden alliance between the BJP and LDF.
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