Over 3-year-gap the longest BMC has gone without elected body

Mumbai's municipal corporation is set for elections after three years under state-appointed administration, a period marked by significant infrastructure projects like road repairs costing ₹12,000 crore and rising liabilities. Former corporators lament the lack of accountability and neglect of local issues, while preparations for the upcoming polls are underway, with parties aiming to increase their representation and address citizen grievances.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the disruption of a peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan in New Zealand, calling it a threat to religious freedom and universal brotherhood. He praised the Sikh community for maintaining restraint despite provocation and urged external affairs minister S Jaishankar to raise the issue with the New Zealand government, as police intervened to ensure the procession could continue safely.

BJP Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui condemned the lynching of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, blaming rising radicalisation and alleging growing attacks on minorities. He criticised the Bangladeshi government’s response, and said India was closely monitoring the situation. Siddiqui also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of encouraging radicalisation for political gain, claiming the state risked following a similar path.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking in Kolkata, voiced concerns about live-in relationships, deeming them an unwillingness to accept responsibility. He suggested renunciation for those avoiding marriage. Bhagwat also shared insights from experts, recommending early marriage (19-25) and three children for health and ego management, while acknowledging his personal lack of experience in these matters.

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the MGNREGA. The new law guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households volunteering for unskilled manual work, aligning with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Opposition parties have criticized the move, citing concerns over undermining Mahatma Gandhi's legacy.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that understanding the Sangh through the BJP lens is a “huge mistake” and stressed that the organisation has no political agenda. Addressing programmes in Kolkata, he said the RSS should not be compared to political or service organisations and works for the betterment and protection of Hindu society, calling for opinions about the Sangh to be based on facts rather than narratives.

India has dismissed Bangladeshi media reports as "misleading propaganda" regarding a protest outside its High Commission in New Delhi. The demonstration, involving a small group, protested the killing of a minority member in Mymensingh. India is monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and has conveyed strong concerns over minority atrocities, urging justice for the victim.

India's ancient Aravalli Range faces a new definition crisis after a Supreme Court ruling.The court accepted a 100-meter elevation threshold for identifying the hills, sparking concerns among environmentalists. Critics argue this narrow view ignores the range's vital ecological functions, potentially opening it to unchecked mining and real estate development, threatening water security and climate stability.