Congress has stated that states which controlled population will lose seats due to delimitation based on population criteria. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are expected to lose seats, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan are among the gainers. Tamil Nadu’s chief minister has invited various parties to join a joint action committee against this exercise.
A heated exchange occurred in Rajya Sabha over Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s controversial remark, ‘aapko theek se thokenge.’ BJP demanded an apology and expungement of the remark. Kharge later apologized, clarifying his comments were directed at government policies, not the Chair.
Air India, now under Tata Group, continues to face issues with clogged toilets caused by passengers flushing inappropriate items. Engineers noted the old aircrafts’ ducts are increasingly susceptible to blockages, leading to disrupted flights. Most foreign airlines experience this problem rarely, highlighting different passenger behavior aboard Indian carriers. Crew suggests educating passengers and improving onboard waste management systems.
A financially troubled couple in Hyderabad poisoned their son, throttled their daughter, and then hanged themselves. The father had been jobless after leaving a teaching position. A suicide note detailed their struggles. Their children were minors, studying in classes V and IX. The family previously moved to Hyderabad from Wanaparthy seeking better prospects.
Jharkhand police killed self-styled don Aman Sahu in a shootout while he was being transported to Ranchi. The incident occurred after Sahu’s accomplices hurled bombs at the police van. Sahu, connected to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was suspected in the murder of an NTPC official. A magisterial inquiry and an NHRC report will follow.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accuses DMK of creating fear among Tamil Nadu’s youth regarding the three-language policy. Despite controversy, Tamil Nadu shows willingness to sign an MoU for PM-SHRI schools while statistics reveal a decline in Tamil-medium school enrollments and a rise in preference for English-medium education.
Karnataka’s Congress government faces criticism from BJP for allocating Rs 60 crore annually to over 4,000 Congress workers overseeing state guarantee schemes. Opposition parties accuse the government of using taxpayer money to benefit Congress workers without disclosing the actual budget size, leading to protests in the assembly.
The ED has attached properties worth Rs 4 crore belonging to Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, linked to drug smuggling proceeds. The investigation revealed Khaira received Rs 3.8 crore from a drug syndicate. He was arrested in November 2021, and chargesheets were filed against him and his associates, including Gurdev Singh.
A 19-year-old woman from Kerala’s Kannur succumbed to complications from anorexia nervosa after following an extreme ‘water fasting’ regimen influenced by online weight loss advice. The degree student had been abstaining from food for almost a year, surviving primarily on water, and was undergoing treatment at Thalassery Cooperative Hospital before her death.
PM Narendra Modi highlights the strong bond between India and Mauritius based on shared heritage and history. He recalls past struggles of Indian laborers and announces the Indian origin community will receive OCI cards up to the seventh generation. He mentions plans for a global Girmitiya database and a world Girmitiya conference.