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Rahul Gandhi Launches Nation-Wide Shut Down Against Rising Prices

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Rahul Gandhi Launches Nation-Wide Shut Down Against Rising Prices

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has led the kick start of the opposition sponsored “Bharat Bandh” at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial Rajghat in the capital on Monday to protest against the rise in fuel prices and depreciation of the rupee against US dollar.

At least 21 opposition parties are participating in the nationwide shutdown. Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had refused to join the bandh, also sent its leader Sanjay Singh.

Top opposition leaders present at Raghat were: Sonia Gandhi, former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, Sharad Pawar and MK Stalin. Left leaders have supported the day long shut down, while Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has decided to stay away. The effect of the bandh is expected to be strong in states like Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal.

Read More: Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi Government for trying to impose RSS ideology on the country

This is Rahul Gandhi’s first public appearance after he returned from Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Dr. Manmohan Singh, while participating in the protest said, “The (Narendra) Modi government has done a number of things that were not in the interest of the nation. The time to change this government will come soon.”

Rahul Gandhi Launches Nation-Wide Shut Down Against Rising Prices

Randeep Surjewala, the spokesperson of Congress party said, “We demand that petrol and diesel be brought under the ambit of the GST. High prices of petrol and diesel found no mention in the BJP’s national executive meeting because they are not bothered about the pain of public.”

Schools and colleges were closed in Bengaluru on Monday  after Karnataka’s ruling Janata Dal Secular, which is in alliance with the Congress, said it would support the day-long protest. Schools in Odisha too are closed, though Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s party has refused to back the shutdown.

In Karnataka, the drivers associated with Uber and Ola taxi services, Auto Drivers’ Association and other organizations such as Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Karnatak State Road Transport Corporation, Bangaluru Motor Transport Corporation  have also joined the day long shut down.

Read More: Rahul Gandhi Emerges Centre of Opposition Unity

Reports indicate that train and road traffic were affected in many parts of Bihar. Over a dozen long route trains had to stop  at Patna, Gaya, Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur railway stations.

Rahul Gandhi Launches Nation-Wide Shut Down Against Rising Prices

The Congress said it had urged party workers not to indulge in any violent protest. Ajay Maken, party’s Delhi unit president said, “I appeal to all Congress workers to make the bandh violence-free. We are Mahatma Gandhi’s party and we should not associate ourselves with any violence.”

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal has expressed support on the issues on which the shut down has been called, but said it was against any kind of strike in the state according to their stated policy.

In Tamil Nadu, DMK leader MK Stalin said the centre is not doing anything to halt the rupee’s slide against the dollar or to control the fuel prices.

On Sunday, the prices of Petrol and diesel set new records. Petrol price was raised by 12 paise a litre and diesel by Rs. 10 paise per litre.  Hours before the opposition-backed shutdown, the BJP government in Rajasthan announced tax cuts on petrol and diesel leading to prices falling by Rs. 2 per litre.

Heavy security arrangements were in place in Maharashtra, a BJP-ruled state, where the opposition Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) of Sharad Pawar are participating in the protest.

According to Indian Oil Corporation website, on Sunday, a litre of petrol costs was Rs. 80.38 in New Delhi, Rs. 83.27 in Kolkata, Rs. 87.77 in Mumbai, and Rs.83.56 in Chennai.

A litre of diesel was at Rs. 72.51 in New Delhi – the highest ever. In Kolkata, diesel was priced at Rs.75.36 a litre, in Mumbai Rs. 76.98 per litre, and in Chennai Rs. 76.66/ litre.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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