Ratan Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, on Monday clarified that the reports of him being hospitalized after a drop in blood pressure are unfounded. He said that he is aware of the recent rumours regarding his health and want to assure everyone that the claims are unfounded.

The 86-year-old said that he is currently undergoing medical check-ups due to his age and related medical conditions. He added that there is no cause for concern, and that he remains in good spirits. He requested the public and media to refrain from spreading misinformation. His statement followed a media report claiming that Ratan Tata was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital early Monday morning.

Recently, Ratan Tata was in the news when he sold 5% of his stake in Mumbai-based stock broking startup Upstox, which delivered him an impressive 23,000 per cent return on his initial investment. 

Ratan Tata is the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata, who founded a small business which is now one of the world’s largest corporations, with interests across the automotive, aerospace and defence, information technology, steel, real estate, financial services and investments, and aviation, e-commerce, and tourism sectors.

Ratan Tata was twice the Chairperson of the Tata Group conglomerate, from 1991 to 2012 and from 2016 to 2017. Though he has long since stepped back from the company’s day-to-day running, he continues to head its charitable trusts. He received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second- highest civilian honour in 2008. He also received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest, in 2000.

Since his retirement in 2017, Ratan Tata has become a popular figure on social media, with heartfelt posts about animal rights and appeals to Indian citizens. With more than 13 million followers on X and nearly 10 million on Instagram, he is the ‘most followed entrepreneur in India, as per the 360 ONE Wealth Hurun India Rich List 2023.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday expressed his frustration on being denied permission to sit on a fast demanding Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh at the Jantar Mantar in the national capital, and sought an alternative.

Sharing a copy of the letter sent by Delhi Police rejecting his request for sitting on a fast at the Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk, in a post on X, said, “Another rejection, another frustration. Finally this morning we got this rejection letter for the officially designated place for protests.”

“If Jantar Mantar is not allowed, please tell us which place is allowed. We want to abide by all laws and still express our grievance in a peaceful way. Why is it so difficult to follow the path of Gandhi in his own country? There must be a way.”

In the letter, Delhi Police said the request was received at a “very short notice”, and no specific time frame was mentioned about the gathering.

As per guidelines, applications for holding any demonstration at the Jantar Mantar must be sent at least 10 days prior to the planned event to be held strictly between 10 am and 5 pm, police said.

Jigmat Paljor, coordinator of the Leh Apex Body representing the protesters, told PTI that they are looking for alternative venues for which discussions are going on with the police and the government.

In a video message shared on X on Saturday night, Wangchuk claimed when they broke their fast at Rajghat, they were assured of an appointment with the top leadership within two days, but they were forced to announce the indefinite fast after being denied the same.

The protesters were also told that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which prohibits unauthorised gatherings is permanently enforced in New Delhi, the climate activist added.

Taking a cue from poet Mirza Ghalib, Wanghchuk said, “Anshan karne de Jantar Mantar pe baith kar, ya wo jagah bata jaha dafa na ho (let us sit on fast at Jantar Mantar, or tell us a place where there is no section imposed).”

“There should be a discussion as to why there is no such place in a democracy where people can sit peacefully and share their pain,” Wangchuk said in the message.

The climate activist led the ‘Delhi Chalo Padayatra’, which began from Leh a month ago.

The march was organised by Leh Apex Body, which along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, has been spearheading an agitation for the last four years seeking statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a public service commission for Ladakh, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

On Saturday, majority of the protesters returned to Ladakh while the remaining stayed back to join Wangchuk for the fast.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused BJP of stocking communal tensions in Goa, adding its attempts will not go unchallenged and the people of the state and the whole of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united.

“Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations calling for an economic boycott of Muslims” he said.

“Goa’s appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people,” the Congress leader said in a post on X.

He said across India, similar actions by the Sangh Parivar continue with impunity, backed by support from the highest levels.

“In Goa, the BJP’s strategy is clear: divide the people while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and bypassing environmental regulations—an assault on Goa’s natural and social heritage,” the Rae Bareli MP said.

The former Congress chief said, “BJP’s attempts will not go unchallenged. The people of Goa and the whole of India see through this divisive agenda and are standing united.”

Earlier, the former Goa unit chief of RSS, Subhash Velingkar, advocated for a DNA test of the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, who is revered as the patron saint of Goa. This led to protests across the state. The Goa police have reported that Velingkar is currently “absconding,” and efforts are underway to locate him.

Following numerous complaints against Velingkar in various parts of Goa for allegedly offending religious sentiments and disrupting communal harmony, an FIR was filed against him on Friday night at North Goa’s Bicholim police station under section 299 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. This action was taken based on a complaint by AAP MLA Cruz Silva.

“The accused with malicious intentions gave maligning speech against St Francis Xavier outraging the religious feelings and insulting religious beliefs of complainant, entire class of his religion and others,” as per the FIR.