Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sparked controversy during a state event on Saturday by asserting that women’s fashion in Bihar has notably improved since he took office two decades ago. This statement elicited a strong backlash from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who criticised Kumar, stating that he was not a “fashion designer” and that the comments revealed a “warped mentality.”

In a video shared by Yadav on X, Kumar can be heard commenting, “Girls have become so confident. They speak so well and dress up so well. Did we see them wearing such fine clothes earlier?” The remarks were made while he was in Begusarai district as part of his statewide ‘Pragati Yatra.’

In response, Yadav contended that the women of Bihar have always dressed with self-respect and self-reliance, emphasizing, “Don’t try to be a fashion designer for women. Your thinking is warped and your statement is a direct insult to half of the population.”

Yadav has been positioning himself to attract women voters ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, proposing a monthly stipend should his party gain power.

During Kumar’s remarks, both Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP and JD(U) Cabinet Minister Vijay Chaudhary appeared uneasy and urged him to change the subject.

Kumar’s comments are not unprecedented; he faced criticism in 2023 for remarks made about women’s education and its link to population control, which led to an apology the following day amid demands for his resignation from the opposition.

Additionally, during the last Lok Sabha election campaign, Kumar had criticized RJD chief Lalu Prasad, claiming he had failed to accomplish anything substantial during his tenure, suggesting that he “only produced children.”

Delhi Airport operator DIAL announced that flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will be suspended for arrivals and departures between 10:20 AM and 12:45 PM from January 19 to January 26, 2025, due to activities related to Republic Day celebrations. IGIA, the busiest airport in India, facilitates approximately 1,300 flight movements daily.

However, the exact effects of these operational restrictions on scheduled flights for different airlines remain unclear.

According to the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued for the week of Republic Day, no flights will operate from Delhi Airport during the specified times. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules.

Daily Flight Disruption Details:

• January 19 (Sunday): 85 departures and 85 arrivals impacted.
• January 20 (Monday): 85 departures and 84 arrivals affected.
• January 21 (Tuesday): 79 departures and 81 arrivals, marking the least disrupted day of the week.
• Remaining Days: Daily disruptions will vary from 81 to 84 departures and 82 to 87 arrivals.

Additionally, the airspace closures will disrupt international flights to major cities including Toronto, Washington, Tashkent, Kathmandu, and Colombo. These measures are crucial to ensure the safety and security of dignitaries and aircraft involved in the Republic Day flypast. Notably, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is confirmed to be the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

On Sunday, the Mumbai Police stated that the individual arrested for the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is suspected to be a Bangladeshi national, a conclusion drawn from evidence found among his possessions. In a media briefing, police confirmed that the attacker had taken on the name Vijay Das upon entering India.

DCP Zone 9, Dixit Gedam, identified the suspect as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a 30-year-old man who allegedly entered Saif Ali Khan’s residence with the intent to rob. Gedam indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the accused is of Bangladeshi descent, having entered India illegally and subsequently changed his name.

Reports indicate that he arrived in Mumbai approximately 5 to 6 months ago, initially residing in the city before moving to its outskirts. The suspect was employed by a housekeeping agency, according to police sources.

“On January 16, at around 2 am, an attack occurred at Saif Ali Khan’s residence. An FIR was filed, and the suspect was arrested soon after. His identity as Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, aged 30, has been confirmed. He broke into the home with robbery in mind. He will be presented in court, where a request for custody will be made, and further investigations will follow,” Gedam stated while raising concerns regarding the suspect’s Bangladeshi background.

He pointed out credible evidence for these suspicions, such as the lack of valid Indian documentation and items seized that suggest his nationality.

Previous reports indicated that the suspect had been using multiple aliases, including Vijay Das and Bijoy Das. The main suspect was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday in Thane West, Maharashtra.

Actor Saif Ali Khan was reportedly assaulted multiple times in his upscale apartment located in Mumbai’s Bandra area during a burglary attempt in the early hours of Thursday.

The actor resides on the 12th floor of the ‘Satguru Sharan’ building. At the time of the incident, Saif Ali Khan was at home with his wife, fellow actor Kareena Kapoor, and their two children, four-year-old Jeh and eight-year-old Taimur.