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On May 1, Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) hosted the grand inauguration of the WAVES Summit 2025, a four-day global event launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the summit aims to cement India’s role as a powerhouse in media, entertainment, and digital innovation, uniting creators, tech pioneers, industry titans, and policymakers from around the world.

The opening ceremony drew a dazzling array of Indian cinema luminaries, including Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Hema Malini, Ranbir Kapoor, Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Anil Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, and filmmaker SS Rajamouli.

Mohanlal kicked off the event with a captivating audio-visual showcase, while Rajinikanth delivered a poignant address, referencing the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Praising Modi as a “resilient leader,” he affirmed, “Despite calls to delay this event, I knew it would go on. My heartfelt support to the government and media industry.”

Shah Rukh Khan highlighted the summit’s global impact, stating, “Our stories are not just art but assets of immense value. Under PM Modi’s vision, WAVES is a transformative platform for creators and innovators worldwide.” Rajamouli echoed this, emphasizing India’s storytelling heritage: “Our narrative tradition spans millennia, yet we lag behind global peers like the US or Korea. WAVES can bridge that gap, uniting our efforts.” Ranbir Kapoor added, “This summit merges films, music, and cutting-edge tech. I’m honored to serve on its board.”

Kartik Aaryan, visibly moved, introduced Rajinikanth as “the nation’s superstar,” while Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani performed a stirring inaugural anthem with a 30-member orchestra. Anil Kapoor unveiled Sankalp, a performance by Sharad Kelkar celebrating India’s cultural diversity. Nagarjuna announced commemorative stamps honoring cinema legends Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, Salil Chowdhury, Raj Khosla, and P Bhanumati, building on tributes from the 55th IFFI.

With stars like Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and AR Rahman also attending, WAVES underscores India’s growing influence in global entertainment, driven by its vibrant film industry and digital innovation.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sharply criticized yoga practitioner and entrepreneur Ramdev, declaring him “uncontrollable” and living “in his own world” after finding him in prima facie contempt of its earlier order.

The court’s ire stemmed from Ramdev’s controversial “sharbat jihad” remarks targeting Hamdard’s Rooh Afza, despite a prior directive on April 22 prohibiting him from making statements or sharing videos about Hamdard’s products.

Justice Amit Bansal, addressing the issue, stated, “His affidavit and the video clearly violate our order. This is prima facie contempt, and I will issue a notice summoning him.” The court was informed that Ramdev had posted a video with objectionable content, flouting its instructions. When Ramdev’s counsel requested a delay due to the unavailability of their lead lawyer, the court postponed the hearing briefly.

The case originates from a plea by Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev and Patanjali Foods Ltd., challenging his inflammatory remarks. On the previous hearing, the court had condemned Ramdev’s “sharbat jihad” comment as “indefensible” and conscience-shocking, prompting him to promise the immediate removal of related videos and social media posts.

Hamdard’s counsel alleged that while promoting Patanjali’s “gulab sharbat,” Ramdev claimed profits from Rooh Afza were funneled into constructing madrasas and mosques, a statement deemed derogatory and misleading.

The court’s strong remarks underscore its frustration with Ramdev’s defiance, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle as it seeks to enforce compliance and address the fallout from his provocative statements.

The Congress sharply criticized the government on Thursday, May 1, following its announcement to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making grand promises without clear timelines.

Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh, speaking at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi, questioned the government’s sincerity and demanded an immediate roadmap for the census, emphasizing the need for transparency and urgency.

Ramesh took a dig at Modi, calling him a “master of crafting headlines without deadlines.” He reiterated the Congress’s long-standing demand for a constitutional amendment to lift the 50% reservation cap, arguing that a caste census would only be meaningful if this barrier is removed.

“What’s stopping the Modi government from abolishing the cap?” he asked, challenging the administration’s commitment to social justice.

Highlighting past delays, Ramesh recalled a December 2019 Cabinet press release approving the 2021 census with a budget of ₹8,254 crore, which made no mention of caste enumeration. “Six years later, the census remains undone.

The government now makes this sudden announcement, but what’s the plan?” he questioned. He pointed out the meager ₹575 crore allocated to the census commissioner’s office in the 2025-26 Budget, casting doubt on the feasibility of conducting a comprehensive census. “Is this just another headline, or is there a genuine intent? The public deserves answers,” he said.

Ramesh dismissed the government’s COVID-19 excuse for delaying the census, noting that over 50 countries conducted theirs during the pandemic. “There was no pandemic in 2023 or 2024, yet the census wasn’t held,” he said.

He also referenced Modi’s 2024 remarks labeling caste census advocates as “urban naxals,” sarcastically asking, “Since when did the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah become urban naxals?”

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi welcomed the government’s “abrupt” decision to include caste enumeration, a first since Independence, but demanded a specific timeline, suspecting delays akin to the women’s reservation bill.

Gandhi credited the Congress’s persistent campaign for pressuring the government, saying, “Our push for a caste census has clearly worked.”

The announcement, made by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after a Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs meeting, acknowledged state-led caste surveys in Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka but criticized their lack of transparency.

The opposition, particularly the Congress, has made the caste census a key electoral issue, arguing it’s essential for equitable policy-making.