Nation

By Ashok Upadhyay | New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint session of both Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget Session. During her speech, opposition MPs created a ruckus over certain issues, prompting strong criticism from the BJP, particularly targeting Congress and other opposition parties. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the disruption during the President’s address will not be forgiven by the nation. He highlighted that opposition members were creating a commotion even when tributes were being paid to literary icon Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and the sacrifices of Guru Tegh Bahadur. President Murmu appealed to all MPs to cooperate in the smooth functioning of the House. She emphasized the government’s commitment to “Sabka S...

By Hemant Rajoura | New Delhi: The Congress party in West Bengal is once again at a critical crossroads. After years of contesting elections as part of alliances with the Left, the party is signaling a potential break from its past partnerships. The debate within Congress goes beyond seat-sharing or immediate electoral calculations—it reflects a deeper concern for the party’s revival and organizational survival in the state. A Steep Decline in Vote ShareThe Congress-Left alliance has been active in Bengal politics since 2016. The two parted ways during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but reunited for the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, these experiments have largely proved disadvantageous for Congress. The 2021 Assembly elections were a stark example: contesting 92 seats i...

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at the Parliament complex on Friday. She arrived in a traditional horse-drawn carriage, where she was greeted by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. A ceremonial officer carrying the “Sengol” (a traditional staff adopted as a cultural symbol) also participated in the reception. The President addressed a joint session of both Houses of Parliament, officially marking the commencement of the Budget Session. Amid the foggy morning in the national capital, President Murmu arrived in the six-horse carriage accompanied by her mounted ceremonial guard. At the Parliament lawns, the President received a guard of honor. Vice President Radhakrishnan, Prime Min...

New Delhi/Brussels: The historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, finalised on 27 January, marks a significant milestone in global trade and geopolitics. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described it as the “mother of all deals,” highlighting the scale and strategic importance of the agreement. The deal comes after years of delay, largely due to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of political will. However, recent global developments—including rising tensions with the US, disruptions in energy supplies from Russia, and trade disputes with China—have created an urgent need for Europe to secure trustworthy economic and strategic partners. In this context, India has emerged as a credible and reliable ally. Challenges for Europe and the Ro...

New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Calling for cooperation across party lines, the President urged all Members of Parliament to work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the House, drawing applause from the treasury benches. Emphasising the government’s commitment to “true social justice”, President Murmu said the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” has brought transformative change to the lives of citizens across the country. Ten Key Highlights from President Murmu’s Address Call for Parliamentary CooperationPresident Murmu appealed to all MPs to rise above political differences and contribute constructively to the functioning of Parliament duri...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated its willingness to hear a petition challenging the newly notified University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2026, which define caste-based discrimination in a limited manner. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant. During the hearing, the Chief Justice remarked that the court was already aware of the developments surrounding the regulations and asked the petitioner’s counsel to provide the case number and ensure that all procedural defects in the petition had been removed before seeking listing. “Give us the case number and make sure the defects are cured,” the Chief Justice said. The petition, titled Rahul Diwan and Others vs Union of India (Diary No. 5477/2026), was menti...

New Delhi: The Budget Session of Parliament began on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu’s customary address to the joint sitting of both Houses. However, the proceedings were briefly disrupted when opposition members raised slogans and created an uproar following the President’s reference to the “Developed India – G RAM G Act.” In her address, President Murmu highlighted India’s progress across sectors ranging from defence to trade. She noted that with the year 2026, India has entered the second phase of the 21st century, describing the first 25 years as a period marked by achievements, national pride, and transformative experiences. She emphasized that the past decade has strengthened the country’s foundations across all sectors and that the current year would serve as a crucial b...

Baramati, Maharashtra: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a plane crash on Wednesday. The aircraft went out of control while attempting to land at an airport in Baramati and caught fire after the crash. All six people on board, including Ajit Pawar and two crew members, were killed. The news has elicited an outpouring of grief from leaders across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed their condolences. In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi described Ajit Pawar as a leader deeply connected to the people and grounded in grassroots politics. He stated, “Ajit Pawar was a true public servant, dedicated to the service of Mahar...

New Delhi: Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Baramati earlier today. The aircraft crashed during landing, marking yet another somber chapter in India’s history of aviation accidents claiming prominent leaders. Over the years, several top politicians and officials have perished in plane or helicopter crashes. Here’s a look at some of the notable figures India has lost in such tragedies: Vijay Rupani (Gujarat) – The former Chief Minister of Gujarat died on 12 June 2025 in an Air India crash near Ahmedabad. The plane was carrying 242 passengers, of whom only one survived. G.M.C. Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party) – The Lok Sabha Speaker passed away on 3 March 2002 when his helicopter crashed into a pond near Kaikalur, Andhra Prade...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken a stringent stance on acid attack cases, directing all states and Union Territories to submit detailed reports on such incidents. The court’s move comes as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure stricter monitoring and better rehabilitation of victims. The apex court has asked governments to provide annual data on the number of acid attack cases, the status of trials in courts, and the measures taken for the victims’ rehabilitation. Court Demands Detailed Case InformationA bench led by the Chief Justice asked for specifics including how many cases have reached the trial court stage, how many have been resolved, and how many remain pending. The court has set a four-week deadline for submitting this information. Each report must include a brief ...