Rahul Gandhi slams BJP-LDF; calls them ‘CJP’

Kozhikode, March 25, 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday intensified his criticism of both the BJP and the ruling LDF in Kerala, alleging a tacit understanding between the two formations ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections.

He also unveiled a set of welfare guarantees for women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

Addressing a large rally in Kozhikode via video link, Rahul cancelled his scheduled physical appearance following the hospitalisation of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, on Tuesday night.

Despite his absence, the Congress MP adopted a combative tone, accusing the BJP and the Left of coordinating their operations in the state.

In a pointed remark, Rahul referred to the alleged alliance as the “CJP”, Communist Janata Party, and claimed that PM Modi had “spared” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from central agency scrutiny, while opposition leaders elsewhere faced sustained action.

The comment is expected to sharpen the campaign narrative in Kerala, where the Congress-led UDF has been positioning the contest as one against both the BJP and the CPI(M)-led LDF.

Alongside his political critique, Rahul presented five key guarantees that the Congress pledges to implement if elected to power.

These include free bus travel for all women in KSRTC buses, Rs 1,000 monthly financial assistance for college-going girl students, and an increase in welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 per month.

He also promised comprehensive health insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh per household under a scheme proposed to be named after former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, as well as interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for youth to promote entrepreneurship.

With the campaign entering a decisive phase, Rahul’s twin approach of political messaging and welfare assurances reflects the Congress’s strategy to consolidate support across key voter segments while challenging the LDF’s decade-long governance record.(Agency)

CJI Surya Kant rebukes litigant’s father for contacting his family; warns of contempt action

New Delhi, March 25, 2026

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took serious exception to an alleged attempt to influence judicial proceedings, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant warning of criminal contempt action after a litigant’s relative purportedly contacted his family member over an order passed by the apex court.

During the hearing of a medical admission-related matter, the CJI Kant expressed strong displeasure over the incident and questioned the conduct of the petitioner’s father.

“Why should there not be contempt proceedings against him? He dares to call my brother and ask how the CJI has passed the order? Will he dictate terms to me?” the CJI remarked orally.

Directing the counsel appearing in the case to verify the facts, CJI Kant said: “You must verify this — and as a counsel, you should first withdraw if the client is misconducting.” “Even if he hides outside India, I know how to deal with such people. Never ever attempt this again. I have dealt with such elements for the last 23 years,” the CJI added.

Expressing lack of knowledge about the alleged conduct, the counsel tendered an apology before the apex court.

The development came in a case involving a plea by two candidates from Haryana seeking admission to a postgraduate medical course under the Buddhist minority quota in a private medical college in Uttar Pradesh.

The petitioners claimed eligibility under the Buddhist minority quota on the basis of conversion supported by certificates issued by a Sub-Divisional Officer in Haryana.

In an earlier hearing, the Bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, had expressed serious doubts over the bona fides of the claimed conversion.

Questioning the timing and intent, the apex court had observed that the petitioners had appeared in NEET-PG as General Category candidates and had declared that they did not belong to the Economically Weaker Sections. “This is a new kind of fraud. Don’t make us say more,” it had remarked, cautioning against attempts to misuse minority status to secure admissions.

The Supreme Court further noted that the petitioners belonged to the “Punia” community and questioned how candidates from a traditionally non-minority background could claim such benefits after multiple attempts as general category applicants.

Taking note of the larger implications, the apex court had directed the Chief Secretary of Haryana to furnish guidelines governing the issuance of minority certificates and to clarify whether candidates who had earlier declared themselves as General Category — and were above the EWS threshold — could subsequently claim minority status.

It directed the Chief Secretary of Haryana to clarify the policy framework and the basis on which such certificates were granted.

Separately, in a related development concerning the legal consequences of religious conversion, the Supreme Court on Tuesday held that a person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism cannot claim Scheduled Caste status.

A Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N. V. Anjaria upheld an Andhra Pradesh High Court ruling, holding that conversion to Christianity results in the “immediate and complete loss” of Scheduled Caste status under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.

“The bar is absolute and admits no exception,” the court observed, adding that a person cannot simultaneously profess another religion and claim benefits meant for Scheduled Castes.(Agency)

Andhra Pradesh bus accident: PM Modi condoles loss of lives, announces Rs 2 lakh aid

New Delhi, March 26, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in the Andhra Pradesh bus accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for the grieving families.

At least 14 people were burnt alive, and 15 others were injured as a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district earlier in the day.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “The mishap in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh, is tragic. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.”

“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the statement further read.

The accident occurred near Rayavaram around 6.30 a.m. when the bus collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry. Both vehicles were completely gutted in the fire.

There were 35 passengers in the bus belonging to Harikrishna Travels at the time of the collision. Fifteen passengers were injured. They were shifted to the government hospital at Markapuram.

The death toll is likely to go up as the condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.

The deceased and injured include women and children. Ten passengers had managed to get off the bus immediately after the fire broke out.

The bus was coming to Pamuru in Prakasam district from Hyderabad. The victims were residents of Kanigiri and Pamuru. The tipper was heading to Markapuram from Chimakurthy with a concrete load.

On receipt of information, police and firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief. Three fire engines were pressed into service to douse the flames

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the bus accident. He spoke to officials and enquired about the mishap. He directed district authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct a thorough probe into the accident and submit a report.(Agency)

Pakistan govt’s tightening control pushes independent press to precipice of extinction: Report

Islamabad, March 25, 2026

The Pakistani government’s tightening control through media regulations and the selective weaponisation of information has pushed the country’s independent press to the precipice of extinction, a report has stated emphasising that the state’s information war has shifted from subtle manipulation to an overt, systematic campaign to sanitise the public narrative.

“The current crackdown is not merely an administrative nuisance. It represents a fundamental existential threat to the Pakistani public’s right to be informed. In a nation where political stability hangs by a thread, the flow of accurate data has become the government’s primary adversary,” Kenya-based Streamline Feed said in a report.

“By leveraging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to issue sweeping, restrictive directives, the establishment has effectively silenced critical discourse on sensitive security and political matters. The consequences are profound, leaving millions of citizens navigating a landscape where propaganda passes for policy and investigative reporting is branded as an affront to national security,” it added.

The censorship in Pakistan has evolved with alarming speed. In its recent directives, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has asked all television broadcasters to follow strictly curated list of permissible topics and banned live coverage of opposition rallies and critical political statements. These directives are not suggestions but they can lead to immediate suspension of license, creating an atmosphere where self-censorship is the only way to survive in Pakistan.

Media houses face immediate suspension of licenses if they do not display the national flag or show content what is termed “anti-state.” A time-delay mechanism has been implemented on all live broadcasts, providing censors a buffer to kill any segment that deviates from the official government narrative. Major media houses in Pakistan have weekly audits of news scripts.

“The government’s most potent weapon, however, is not the censor’s red pen, but the state’s advertising budget. By withholding lucrative government advertising contracts from outlets that dare to publish critical reports, the state has orchestrated a financial squeeze that is driving independent publications to the brink of bankruptcy. This is a deliberate act of economic warfare against the press,” the report in Streamline Feed stated.

In addition to this, people in Pakistan cannot access news sites or social media platforms when there is news of a controversial legislative bill or arrest of a high-profile politician. This digital blackout stops the rapid dissemination of unverified rumours and prevents the mobilisation of civil society groups. The dependence on Virtual Private Networks (VPN) has increased, however, the government has announced plans to criminalise the use of unauthorised encryption tools.

“The trajectory of Pakistan’s media crisis serves as a stark warning to the wider East African region and beyond. In nations where political polarization is high and the institutional safeguards of democracy are weak, the state’s urge to control the narrative is a constant, latent threat. When governments decide that national stability is synonymous with silence, the press is always the first casualty,” the report mentioned.(Agency)

RG Kar victim’s mother fielded from Panihati; BJP releases 3rd list for Bengal polls

Kolkata, March 25, 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced its third list of 19 candidates for the forthcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal next month, with the most prominent name being Ratna Debnath, fielded from the Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district.

Debnath is the mother of the junior doctor of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata who was raped and murdered within the hospital premises in August 2024.

She is also a voter from the same constituency.

From Panihati, the Trinamool Congress has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh, son of sitting MLA and the current Chief Whip of the Trinamool Congress legislative party in the West Bengal Assembly, Nirmal Ghosh, whose name had figured in controversy over alleged arrangements for a hurried cremation of the victim’s body.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist, on the other hand, has fielded its youth leader Kalatan Dasgupta, one of the prominent faces of the movement against the incident.

With the third list announced on Wednesday, the BJP has so far declared candidates for 174 of the total 294 Assembly constituencies in the state.

It may be recalled that on March 23, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, had informed media persons that the parents of the R.G. Kar victim had taken primary membership of the BJP.

However, Adhikari had then said that whether any of them would be fielded as a candidate from Panihati would be decided by the party’s central leadership. On Wednesday, the party announced the name of the victim’s mother as its candidate from the constituency.

It may be recalled that the body of the victim was recovered from within the R.G. Kar hospital premises on the morning of August 9, 2024. The Kolkata Police had initially investigated the case and arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, as the sole accused.

Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe following an order of the Calcutta High Court and also identified Roy as the sole accused in the rape and murder case.

A trial court in Kolkata later convicted Roy and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The CBI has challenged the order before the Calcutta High Court, seeking the death penalty.(Agency)

More Indian ships to sail through Strait of Hormuz: Govt

New Delhi, March 25, 2026

The Government on Wednesday assured the opposition parties that more ships are coming through the Strait of Hormuz and there is no cause for concern.

At an all-party meeting held here on the West Asia crisis, the Government told the opposition leaders that India is on top of geopolitics and there is enough energy security. The leaders were also told how the ongoing situation would affect the country and the measures that the government was taking to deal with the fallout of the Iran war.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government responded comprehensively to the queries and has answered all the questions asked by them.

The minister added that many members wanted to know the details of the gas and petroleum supply through the Strait of Hormuz, and they were all satisfied that India secured four ships already.

“All the opposition colleagues have said that in this hour of crisis, whatever decision the government takes, will be supported unitedly by everyone. I believe that whatever was demanded by the opposition on such information being given was provided adequately today.”

The meeting was attended by the Union ministers, who form part of the Cabinet Committee on Security, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Tariq Anwar and Mukul Wasnik of the Congress, Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Sasmit Patra of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) were among those who attended the meeting.

“I think the opposition party has displayed maturity in expressing at the end of the meeting, that in any challenging situation, they will stand with the steps taken by the government…The opposition members were satisfied with the effort made by the government,” Rijiju said.

However, senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said that an attempt was made to seek clarification from the government, but the meeting was unsatisfactory.

“It has been our longstanding demand that this issue be debated in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha under Rules 193 and 170. Only then will people feel satisfied. The reality is that a conflict is already underway. Pakistan, which is smaller than us and weaker in every respect, is today acting as a mediator and playing that role, while we remain silent spectators.”

CPI(M) MP John Brittas said that the government assured on measures it is taking, and it’s talking to all countries and wishes the war ends soon.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh said that they raised concerns about people standing in line for gas cylinders and fuel, which is creating confusion and panic among the people.

“The government’s stance was that we are producing 60 per cent of LPG domestically, and there will be no shortage of gas; we also have reserves of oil.”(Agency)

IAS reshuffle in Gujarat; Collectors changed in three districts

Gandhinagar, March 25, 2026

The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced a fresh round of transfers in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), appointing new district collectors in Jamnagar, Surendranagar and Gandhinagar as part of an administrative reshuffle.

According to an official notification issued on Wednesday, P.B. Pandya, currently District Development Officer in Amreli, has been appointed Collector of Jamnagar.

He will assume charge on March 31, succeeding K.B. Thakkar, who is set to retire the same day.

G.H. Solanki, serving as Municipal Commissioner of Nadiad, has been posted as Collector of Surendranagar.

He replaces K.S. Yagnik, who had been holding additional charge following the removal of the previous collector amid an ongoing corruption probe.

In another key posting, Ravindra Khatale, currently Municipal Commissioner of Mehsana, has been appointed Collector of Gandhinagar.

He takes over from J.N. Vaghela, who was also holding the post as an additional charge.

Notably, the Surendranagar collectorate has been under scrutiny in recent months after former collector Rajendra Patel was removed from the post following raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and a case registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

He was later arrested in January in connection with an alleged bribery-linked money laundering case involving land-use change permissions and subsequently placed under suspension by the state government.

A court earlier this month denied him bail, citing prima facie evidence in the case.

The allegations include the systematic collection of illegal gratification for clearing applications, with investigators pointing to a wider pattern of corruption within the collector’s office.

The latest transfers also follow earlier large-scale reshuffles in the state’s bureaucracy.

In June 2025, the state government transferred 13 IAS officers across departments and districts.

A subsequent reshuffle later in the year involved around 26 officers, along with other administrative changes linked to vacancies, promotions and disciplinary action.(Agency)

14 killed as bus catches fire after colliding with tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati, March 26, 2026

In a horrific accident, at least 14 people were burnt alive, and 15 others were injured as a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district on Thursday, police said.

The accident occurred near Rayavaram around 6.30 a.m. when the bus collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry. Both vehicles were completely gutted in the fire.

There were 35 passengers in the bus belonging to Harikrishna Travels at the time of the collision. Fifteen passengers were injured. They were shifted to the government hospital at Markapuram.

The death toll is likely to go up as the condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.

The deceased and injured include women and children. Ten passengers had managed to get off the bus immediately after the fire broke out.

The bus was coming to Pamuru in Prakasam district from Hyderabad. The victims were residents of Kanigiri and Pamuru. The tipper was heading to Markapuram from Chimakurthy with a concrete load.

On receipt of information, police and firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief. Three fire engines were pressed into service to douse the flames.

Markapuram MLA K. Narayana Reddy, along with senior officials, visited the spot and supervised relief operations.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the bus accident. He spoke to officials and enquired about the mishap. He directed district authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct a thorough probe into the accident and submit a report.

Transport Minister Manipalli Ramprasad Reddy also expressed grief over the mishap. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

The minister directed officials to ensure the best treatment of the injured.

Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh also expressed shock over the loss of lives in the bus disaster. He assured the families of the victims that the government will render all possible assistance.(Agency)

Boman Irani wears diplomatic hat, says he, Smriti, Aruna Irani are ready for peace talks with Trump

Mumbai, March 25, 2026

Actor-director Boman Irani has put on a diplomatic hat to resolve the ongoing war in west Asia. On Wednesday, the actor took to his Instagram, and shared a video of himself talking to the camera. Citing his Irani roots, the actor expressed his willingness to talk to the US President Donald Trump with regards to solving the conflict.

In the video, he said in jest, “So, as you may know, it’s going viral that Mr. Donald Trump wants to speak to the Iranis, and three people have been beckoned to speak, Smriti Irani, Aruna Irani, and me”.

He further mentioned, “So, I am ready. I am ready. We can do anything for peace. My only problem is that I won’t go to Washington. Let their delegation come here to the Dadar Parsi Colony. We will treat them with whatever they like, we’ll feed them dhansak and custard. We will bring a gas cylinder. I think it will make life very, very smooth for all of us”.

Meanwhile, the war in west Asia is about to enter its 26th day with both the USA and Israel jointly attacking Iran. Iran, on its part, has been attacking the US military bases of the allies in the middle-east with catastrophic bombings on Tel Aviv.

Earlier, Trump spoke about the 5 days of ceasefire to the war saying he negotiated peace with the leaders of Iran. Soon after Trump’s statement, Iran said that Trump is bluffing, and is cooking up a one-sided peace deal to manipulate financial markets linked to oil. Following this, the talks between Iran and the USA are reportedly underway while bombings continues over critical infrastructure of Iran and Israel.(Agency)

18 bodies retrieved after bus plunges into river in Bangladesh

Dhaka, March 26, 2026

At least eighteen bodies were retrieved after a bus carrying dozens of passengers plunged into the Padma River from a pontoon at a terminal in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district, some 125 km south of Dhaka.

The accident occurred at around 5:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday when the Dhaka-bound passenger bus lost control, overturned, and sank to an estimated depth of 80 feet, according to the Fire Service.

Sultana Akhtar, Rajbari’s deputy commissioner and district magistrate, told Xinhua that there were around 40 passengers on board the bus.

“So far, the bodies of eighteen people, including 10 women and 2 children, have been retrieved,” she said.

Officials said two bodies were initially recovered. Subsequently, they said the rescue vessel Hamza lifted the submerged bus at 11:50 p.m. local time on Wednesday, during which 16 more bodies were found, Xinhua news agency reported.

Officials feared the death toll might rise, as more bodies are likely to be retrieved with the search and rescue operation still underway.

Fire service and coastguard divers continued their search for the missing people with military and police assistance, according to Rana.

Officials said they estimated that the Dhaka-bound bus was carrying some 40 passengers including several children, and most were returning to the capital after ending their Eid holidays.

According to local media, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed deep concern over the accident and instructed authorities to make all possible rescue efforts, and ensure the injured get treatment.

Doctors at Dauladia health complex said two women were brought dead while another woman, herself a doctor, received treatment.

According to witnesses and officials, many of the passengers were members of the same family. While several of them survived as they stood outside, their relatives were in the bus as it drowned.(Agency)