Times of India

Muslim leaders urged the Muslim community to vote for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, sparking controversy and drawing criticism from Hindu religious leaders. Hindu seers are advocating for Hindu unity and support for the ruling BJP party, framing it as a matter of cultural preservation. The situation highlights the growing religious polarization in Indian politics.

During a press conference in Ranchi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that not implementing a caste census in 2011 was a mistake by the UPA government. He emphasized the necessity of a new caste census to guide equitable resource allocation and policy development, contrasting it with the current administration's focus on a select group of capitalists.

Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh was injured in a stone-throwing attack on his vehicle in Katol. The incident occurred while Deshmukh was returning from campaigning for his son, Salil, an NCP candidate in the assembly elections. Eyewitnesses reported attackers shouting political slogans.

Union minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in the Mahayuti alliance's victory in the upcoming Maharashtra elections. He highlighted the alliance's strong track record of delivering development and criticized the opposition's lack of ideological unity. Goyal emphasized the government's commitment to empowering women through initiatives like the Ladli Bahin allowance.

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed K Sanjay Murthy, the current higher education secretary, as the new Comptroller and Auditor General. Murthy, a 1989-batch IAS officer, will succeed G C Murmu, who is retiring. With extensive administrative experience, Murthy has held positions in various ministries, including Information and Broadcasting, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Commerce and Industry.

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi is set for a four-day visit to Nepal to bolster bilateral military ties. The visit comes amid Nepal's refusal to allow its youth into the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme and growing Chinese influence in the region.

The Supreme Court reprimanded the Karnataka government for challenging a high court decision that increased compensation for farmers whose land was acquired for an irrigation project. The court emphasized the plight of farmers in the state, where thousands die by suicide annually, and dismissed the government's appeal, stating that farmers deserve fair compensation for their acquired land.

The Supreme Court has formed a three-member SIT to investigate the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in Chennai. The SIT, comprising senior IPS officers, replaces the CBI probe ordered earlier by the Madras High Court. The court emphasized the need for a swift and transparent investigation, directing the SIT to report progress to the High Court weekly.

The Karnataka government's 2017 import of Malaysian sand to combat a shortage has backfired. Unsold stock at the Adani Group-owned Krishnapatnam Port has led to a compensation demand of Rs 76 crore. While the government obtained a stay order, it now plans to dispose of the sand through open bids.

Congress has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for neglecting Manipur for the past 18 months amidst escalating violence. The party demands that Modi visit the state before the Parliament's winter session or meet with a delegation from Manipur. They are also calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Manipur government has launched an inquiry and suspended an SSP following police firing in Jiribam. Internet bans have been extended, and a curfew remains in effect. COCOMI, a Meitei civil organization, protested despite the curfew, demanding justice for women and children found dead in Jiribam.

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh held a meeting with BJP MLAs and NDA allies to address the state's situation following NPP's withdrawal of support. NPF, with five legislators, pledged continued support to the BJP government, which maintains a majority with NPF, one JDU MLA, and three Independents.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Taman Singh Sonwani, former Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission chairman, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 45 lakh. The bribe was reportedly paid by Shravan Kumar Goyal, director of Bajrang Power & Ispat Ltd, to secure deputy collector positions for his son and daughter-in-law.

The government is preparing to introduce legislation during the winter session of Parliament to enable simultaneous elections for Parliament and state assemblies, aiming for implementation in 2029. This follows the recommendations of a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. While seeking consensus, the government plans to initiate parliamentary debate on the bills.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board passed a resolution mandating that all its non-Hindu employees either opt for voluntary retirement or seek a transfer to other government departments. The decision, supported by the TTD Act and Andhra Pradesh Endowments Act, could impact approximately 300 permanent employees out of 7,000.

Delhi's restaurants, hoping for a prosperous festive season, are facing a grim reality due to severe air pollution. Diners are avoiding outdoor seating, leading to cancellations, postponed launches, and concerns about financial losses. Restaurant staff and delivery riders are also experiencing health issues from the hazardous air quality.

Rahul Gandhi, during a press conference, accused the Modi government of favoring Gautam Adani by transferring Dharavi land worth Rs one lakh crore. Gandhi claimed that major projects have been shifted from Maharashtra to Gujarat, questioning the tendering process and highlighting the impact on the state's economy.

The merger of Viacom18, JioCinema, and Disney Star India, forming a joint venture valued at approximately $8.5 billion, has reached completion. Reliance Industries holds the controlling stake in the venture. Adding to this, the much-discussed domain name "JioHotstar" has been handed over to Reliance by the Dubai-based siblings who owned it, putting an end to the controversy surrounding its ownership.

Delhi experienced its worst air quality this season with a severe AQI of 494, causing respiratory problems for residents. The hazardous air, attributed to local pollution, stubble burning, and unfavorable weather, is expected to persist, prompting health warnings from experts.