Nation

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will not attend the party’s strategic meeting scheduled for Friday to discuss preparations for the Kerala Assembly elections, sources said. Tharoor is reportedly “hurt” over recent developments, including what he perceives as being repeatedly sidelined by the party’s state leadership. According to sources, Tharoor was particularly upset after Rahul Gandhi, during a recent public programme, did not mention his name despite his presence on the stage. The incident, coupled with what Tharoor believes is a consistent effort by state leaders to marginalise him, has contributed to his decision to stay away from the crucial meeting. The meeting is expected to focus on the Congress party’s electoral strategy and organisational preparedness in Kerala. Thar...

This year, the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi promises a spectacular display of India’s military strength, featuring a host of new attractions that will capture the nation’s attention. S-400 Air Defense System Makes Its DebutFor the first time, the S-400 air defense system will be showcased during the parade’s tableau of the Department of Military Affairs. Air Commodore Manish Sabharwal revealed that this is the same system that successfully engaged and neutralized a Pakistani Air Force aircraft at record-long distances. The display aims to highlight India’s advanced aerial defense capabilities. Operation Sindur Tableau Highlights Tri-Services StrengthAnother major highlight will be the tableau dedicated to ‘Operation Sindur,’ which showcases the coordinated power of India’s Army, ...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has delivered a stern directive in a case involving a lawyer practicing in the Jharkhand High Court. Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Suryakant’s bench dismissed the petition filed by advocate Mahesh Tiwari and instructed him to submit an unconditional apology before the High Court. The matter arose after Tiwari allegedly disrupted proceedings in the Jharkhand High Court and made remarks such as “the country is burning because of the judiciary,” insisting on arguing his case in his own manner. He also reportedly warned the High Court against overstepping its authority. Arguments Presented in the Supreme Court:Senior advocate Siddharth Dave represented Tiwari, who faced criminal contempt proceedings for the incident that occurred on October 16, 2025, in C...

A fundamental principle of economics is that any policy should be judged not by its intentions but by its outcomes. In education, outcomes are measured by whether a child is genuinely learning, able to cope with the school environment, and acquiring skills that prepare them for a competitive future. The Supreme Court recently reminded us that under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 25% of seats in private schools are reserved for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. While the law’s intent is noble—education can indeed be a transformative tool—the reality of implementation requires scrutiny. Simply providing seats does not ensure that children benefit in meaningful ways. The Cost of LearningThe challenge lies in our tendency to reduce education to a debate over “seats” or “fees.” ...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has declined to issue directions on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking comprehensive guidelines to prevent stampedes during large public gatherings, including religious events, political rallies, and processions. A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant allowed the petitioner to approach the Union Home Ministry and the Election Commission instead. Responsibility for Law and OrderThe court observed that maintaining law and order during public events is primarily the responsibility of the state governments and the central authorities. The bench noted that issuing such guidelines would amount to policymaking, a domain where enforcement agencies and experts in crowd management are better suited. Balancing Rights and Public SafetyThe petitioner argued th...

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing debate over the national song Vande Mataram, the Congress party on Friday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him and the BJP government of attempting to distort India’s history. The party claimed that the government deliberately omitted certain facts during the debate on Vande Mataram, and in the process, misrepresented the history of the national anthem, impacting the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore. Allegations Against PM ModiCongress General Secretary and Communications In-Charge Jairam Ramesh posted on X (formerly Twitter) criticizing the ruling party and the Prime Minister. He alleged that during a recent parliamentary discussion on the national song, the government misrepresented historical facts, undermining Tagore’s reputa...

Amroha, Uttar Pradesh: The Uttar Pradesh Police registered an FIR on December 9, 2025, involving allegations that go beyond the immediate scope of the triple talaq law, exposing a grey area in legal and social practices that often goes unaddressed. A woman from Amroha has alleged that immediately after being divorced through triple talaq, she was forced to undergo ‘halala’ multiple times under coercion in order to remarry her husband. What is the Case About?According to the victim, her husband, brother-in-law, and certain clerics compelled her to undergo ‘halala’ several times to make her eligible for remarriage. Halala is a controversial practice in which a divorced woman must marry another man and engage in intimate relations before she can remarry her previous husband. The woman clai...

As January draws to a close and February approaches, Delhi-NCR witnessed a sharp change in weather on Friday, with heavy rain accompanied by strong, chilly winds. The Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast has proved accurate, bringing much-needed relief from severe air pollution while also intensifying the winter chill across the region. Early Friday morning, several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region experienced rainfall along with gusty winds, signalling a fresh dip in temperatures. After an unusually warm spell earlier in the week, the mercury is expected to fall again, making the cold more pronounced in North India. Western Disturbance Behind the Weather Shift According to the IMD, the sudden change in weather is due to an active Western Disturbance aff...

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s upcoming visit to India in February, ahead of the BRICS Summit later this year, is far from routine. With India set to host and chair the BRICS Summit, Lula’s early arrival underscores the growing strategic convergence between India and Brazil, particularly on leadership of the Global South amid rising global uncertainty. President Lula is scheduled to visit India from February 19 to 21 and is likely to participate in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in New Delhi, which will also see the presence of several global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. However, diplomats and strategic experts note that Lula’s visit carries significance well beyond the AI summit, positioning India and Brazil as key partners shaping the ...

As global attention turns to fresh efforts to stabilise West Asia, India faces a complex diplomatic choice after being invited to join US President Donald Trump’s newly launched “Board of Peace” (BoP)—an initiative aimed at reinforcing a ceasefire in Gaza and overseeing a temporary governance framework in Palestinian territories. The United States has extended invitations to nearly 60 countries, including India, to be part of the three-year body. However, New Delhi has not yet indicated whether it will accept the proposal. Notably, several major powers such as France, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Sweden and Norway stayed away from the signing ceremony, while countries including Russia, Italy, Türkiye, Ukraine and Paraguay have refrained from making any formal commitment. What ...