Air India has issued an important travel advisory for passengers commuting to and from Delhi between January 19 and 26, 2025, citing restrictions related to Republic Day celebrations in the national capital. The airline has urged travelers to allow extra time for their journey and to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport.

In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Air India said, “Passengers traveling to and from Delhi between 19 & 26 Jan 2025, are requested to allow themselves more time and check the status of their flights before heading to the airport, due to Republic Day restrictions.” The airline also directed passengers to its contact center for further assistance.

Adding to the challenges, dense fog and poor visibility continue to disrupt flight operations in Delhi. Earlier in the day, Air India issued another advisory warning of potential delays due to fog and congestion at Delhi and other airports.

The city has been grappling with cold waves, contributing to worsened air quality. On Wednesday morning, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi fell to the “very poor” category, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting an AQI of 344. Comparatively, the AQI was recorded at 252 on the previous day.

Notable AQI readings included Vivek Vihar at 414, Wazirpur at 408, and Rohini at 399, all indicating severe pollution levels. The air quality at multiple locations, including Nehru Nagar (394), Patparganj (390), and Okhla Phase-2 (380), reflected alarming conditions. An AQI of 401-500 signifies severe pollution, posing health risks for residents.

As Delhi prepares for Republic Day celebrations, passengers are advised to remain cautious, account for delays, and monitor updates from airlines to ensure a smoother travel experience.

With the Delhi Assembly election slated for February 5, cracks within the INDIA opposition bloc have surfaced as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) publicly supported the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urging Congress to step aside in favor of regional strength. This comes amidst growing tensions within the bloc, which previously showed promise during last year’s Lok Sabha polls but has since faced electoral setbacks and internal discord.

The AAP and Congress are contesting Delhi’s 70 Assembly seats independently, raising questions about the bloc’s survival and effectiveness. The rivalry escalated after Delhi Congress leader Ajay Maken’s harsh criticism of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. In response, AAP demanded Congress’ removal as bloc leader, adding to the rift.

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav stressed the need for unity, pointing out that the INDIA bloc’s founding principle was to support regional parties best positioned to defeat the BJP. “When the alliance was formed, it was agreed that where regional parties are strong, the bloc would strengthen them. AAP is strong in Delhi, and our aim is to defeat the BJP,” Yadav said, offering SP’s support to AAP.

Echoing this sentiment, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee referenced successful collaborations in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, where the Congress had taken a secondary role to regional parties like the DMK and JMM. “The INDIA bloc decided to let strong regional parties lead in their respective regions. In Delhi, AAP is the clear choice to take on the BJP,” Banerjee explained.

The INDIA bloc has faced similar challenges in other states. For instance, the Congress failed to strike a seat-sharing deal with AAP in Haryana, leading to a BJP victory. Allies like the SP and TMC have repeatedly highlighted these failures, urging Congress to prioritize unity over individual gains.

Despite the tensions, leaders like Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference have called for cohesion within the alliance. “The INDIA bloc is a permanent alliance, built for every day and every moment,” Abdullah said, emphasizing the need to overcome internal rivalries.

As the Delhi election approaches, the INDIA bloc’s ability to unite against the BJP remains in question. The Congress and AAP’s rivalry risks undermining the coalition’s collective strength, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance local ambitions with the alliance’s broader goals.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, calling his recent statement on India’s independence “treason.” Speaking at the inauguration of the Congress party’s new headquarters in Delhi, Gandhi accused Bhagwat of undermining the country’s struggle for independence and the sanctity of its Constitution.

Rahul Gandhi’s comments came in response to Bhagwat’s assertion that India attained “true independence” only after the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The RSS chief had made the remark while presenting the National Devi Ahilya Award in Indore, where he stated that August 15, 1947, marked only political independence, not the fulfillment of India’s cultural and spiritual aspirations.

“This is an insult to every Indian,” Gandhi said. “To claim that India did not achieve independence in 1947 is to dismiss the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters and the democratic foundation laid by the Constitution. Mohan Bhagwat has the audacity to say these things publicly. In any other country, he would be arrested and tried for treason.”

Criticizing the RSS chief further, Gandhi stated, “It’s time we stop tolerating this nonsense. The Constitution is not just a document; it’s the symbol of our freedom and the culmination of decades of struggle against colonial rule. Bhagwat’s remarks undermine all of that.”

During his speech in Indore, Bhagwat had elaborated on his view, describing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a representation of India’s cultural unity. He suggested that the nation’s “true independence” was established when the temple was consecrated, connecting it to the ethos of Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, who, he said, embody India’s identity.

The remarks have drawn widespread criticism from opposition leaders and historians, who argue that such statements distort the historical significance of India’s independence movement and the adoption of its Constitution in 1950.

Rahul Gandhi’s response highlights growing tensions between the Congress party and the RSS, with the opposition leader accusing the latter of undermining India’s secular values and rewriting its history to suit ideological agendas.