Big Stories Today: Akhilesh Yadav not to contest Uttar Pradesh polls, Covaxin gets Australia okay, NEET results out, SC sets aside Calcutta HC order banning crackers
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Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone asks parties in Jammu and Kashmir to create enabling environment for Centre to deliver
Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone on Monday asked parties in Jammu and Kashmir to create enabling environment for Centre to deliver.He denounces those keen to start a new round of confrontation at the cost of Kashmir’s people.
NTA announces NEET results, sending scorecards via emails
The National Testing Agency has started distributing the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination (NEET) 2021, the entrance test for undergraduate medical courses via email.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is sending NEET-UG scorecards to the registered Email ID of the students and the mail sent to candidates also assures that the result will be declared on the official website shortly.
Flight passengers need to be fully vaccinated or furnish RT-PCR negative report at Kolkata airport
As per guidelines of the West Bengal government, all inbound flight passengers to the state shall have to be either fully (doubly) vaccinated or furnish an RT-PCR negative report for a test conducted within 72 hrs of such flight departure the Kolkata airport
Coal minister Pralhad Joshi calls upon Coal India limited to ensure 18-day coal stock by November end
Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday called upon Coal India limited to ensure 18-day coal-stock with power plants by November end.
CIL had earlier said it is marshalling all its efforts to bridge the demand-supply gap to the extent possible.
Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output.
10 Zika virus cases confirmed in Kanpur
The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday said that ten cases of Zika virus have been confirmed in Kanpur as it stepped up surveillance to check its spread, officials said.
Since the confirmation of the state’s first case of Zika virus in October, the Uttar Pradesh government is carrying out testing of samples on a large scale, an official statement said.
Nawab Malik targets Fadnavis over drug cartel amid Aryan Khan row
Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik has made a series of exposes on Twitter over the past week targeted at NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. Malik had alleged Wankhede was involved in extortion and had forged a caste certificate to clear the civil services examination.
If AAP comes to power in Goa, Arvind Kejriwal proposes to send every community to its Ram Mandir
Ahead of Goa Polls, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said that if AAP forms government in Goa, we will arrange free pilgrimage to Ayodhya for Hindus and to Velankanni for Christians. For Muslims, he said, will provide a free trip to Ajmer Sharif and to Shirdi temple for those who revere Sai Baba
Power rates slashed by Rs 3 for domestic consumers in Punjab from today, says Punjab CM Charanjit Channi
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi on Monday announced that the power rates slashed by Rs 3 for domestic consumers in Punjab from today.
Channi said that Rs 3 per unit reduction in power tariff for consumers have who sanctioned load of up to 7 kW. This, he said, would make power cheap for 95 per cent of the consumers. This reduction is estimated to cost the exchequer Rs 3,316 crore.
Mayawati reacts to Akhilesh’s Jinnah remark, alleges collusion between SP, BJP
In the midst of a war of words between the ruling BJP and Samajwadi Party over Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah in the poll-bound state of Uttar Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati hit out at them saying they were playing a fixed match on caste and communal issues.
4 get death penalty in 2013 Patna Gandhi Maidan serial blasts case
The National Investigation Agency special court in Patna on Monday pronounces quantum of punishment for 9 convicts in the 2013 Patna Gandhi Maidan serial blasts case. 4 get capital punishment, 2 get life imprisonment, 2 get 10-year imprisonment and one gets 7-year imprisonment.
UP government to light 12 lakh earthen lamps, bettering previous Diwali record
The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday informed that it will light in Ayodhya 12 lakh earthen lamps, nine lakh of which will be lit on the banks of Saryu, bettering the previous Diwali record.
Last year, over six lakh earthen lamps were lit during the Deepotsav to celebrate the festival, creating a world record.
Supreme Court sets aside Calcutta HC order putting blanket ban on cracker bursting in West Bengal
The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the Calcutta High Court order putting a blanket ban on cracker bursting in West Bengal.
The top court said that it had allowed the use of green crackers if ambient air quality is moderate.
SC said: “The order of the SC will be applicable to all states uniformly and WB cannot be an exception.”
Ministry of Minority Affairs releases new guidelines for Haj 2022
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi released an online application form and new guidelines for the upcoming Haj on Monday. He previously stated that the entire Haj process in India in 2022 would be entirely digital. Starting today, the application process will begin.
According to a statement, the Haj 2022 process is being planned after discussions between the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Haj Committee of India, Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and India’s Consul General in Jeddah, as well as other agencies, taking into account all aspects of the pandemic’s challenges.
Sachin Vaze sent to Mumbai Police custody till Nov 6
Former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze was sent to Mumbai Police custody till November 6, after being produced before Killa court on Monday. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has sought 10-day custody for interrogation in connection with an extortion case.
Earlier, Mumbai Police approached the court to seek Sachin Vaze’s custody to investigate the extortion case registered against him and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh at Goregaon police station by businessman Bimal Agarwal.
Income Tax raids on major road contractors in Bihar and Jharkhand, seizes Rs 5.71 cr cash
The Income Tax Department has carried out search and seizure operations on prominent road construction contractors in Bihar and Jharkhand. The search action was initiated on October 27 at various premises located in Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, the Ministry of Finance informed. Ministry of Finance: The search resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs 5.71 crore. Ten bank lockers were placed under restraint. The investment made in fixed deposits of about Rs 60 cr is under verification. It also led to the detection of unaccounted income of about Rs 100 crore.
Former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze produced before Mumbai court, Crime Branch seeks 10-day custody
Former Mumbai Police officer Sachin Vaze was produced before Killa court on Monday. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has sought 10-day custody for interrogation in connection with an extortion case.
Earlier, Mumbai Police approached the court to seek Sachin Vaze’s custody to investigate the extortion case registered against him and former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh at Goregaon police station by businessman Bimal Agarwal.
Bhima Koregaon Commission suspends all future hearings citing lack of suitable accommodation
The Bhima Koregaon Commission of Inquiry has suspended all its future hearings in Mumbai till the Maharashtra government provides them a suitable location to conduct the hearings. A hearing at Mumbai was proposed from 8th November to 12th November. The two-member commission headed by retired Justice J N Patel was formed by the government for probing into the cause of Bhima Koregaon violence of January 1, 2018, in which one person was killed and several others were injured.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chairs review meeting on dengue in Delhi
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday chaired a review meeting over the alarming surge in dengue cases in Delhi. During the meeting, the health minister discussed ways on how the Centre can assist the Delhi government led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in curbing the surge in cases.
Akhilesh Yadav not to contest next UP assembly elections
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said that he would not be contesting the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections early next year. He also said an alliance between his party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) for the polls had been finalised.
Delhi cinema halls, theatres reopen with full capacity
Cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes reopen with full seating capacity from today, also increasing the number of people allowed to attend weddings, funerals from 100 to 200. The DDMA order said that it will be the responsibility of the owners of cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes for strict adherence to standard operating protocol (SOP) and official guidelines as well as Covid-appropriate behaviour at the premises.
Delhi schools reopen for all classes with strict Covid-19 guidelines
After remaining closed for 19 months Delhi schools reopened for all classes with strict Covid-19 guidelines in place. Students were seen streaming into Delhi schools early this morning, but not before they were thermally screened and their hands spritzed with sanitisers.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has determined that India’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, manufactured by Bharat Biotech and BBIBP-CorV, manufactured by Sinopharm, China vaccines would be recognised for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status.
This recognition is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay travels to New Delhi for first official meeting with PM Narendra Modi
Newly sworn-in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay embarked on his first official visit to New Delhi to hold a high-level meeting with PM Narendra Modi, focusing on economic aid, fertilizer supply, and water rights disputes.
Marking his maiden official visit to the national capital since assuming office, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to deliberate on a wide range of state-specific matters. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief, who led his fledgling party to a historic victory in the recent assembly elections, took the oath of office on May 10. While the Prime Minister had previously extended his congratulations via social media, this marks the first formal in-person meeting between the two leaders.
According to official sources, the Chief Minister departed from Chennai on a chartered flight at 10:00 AM. The high-profile meeting with the Prime Minister is slated for 4:30 PM, where Vijay is expected to submit a comprehensive memorandum outlining Tamil Nadu’s long-pending welfare and developmental demands.
Key state matters on the table
The core of the discussions is expected to center around financial assistance and clearances for major infrastructure projects in the state. Media reports indicate that the Chief Minister will heavily push for additional funds to bankroll ongoing developmental initiatives.
Furthermore, the interstate Mekedatu water dispute remains a high-priority issue. Chief Minister Vijay has already written to the Prime Minister, urging him to instruct the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to reject the Detailed Project Report submitted by Karnataka for a reservoir at Mekedatu.
Other critical administrative concerns to be raised include ensuring an uninterrupted supply of fertilizers for the upcoming Kharif farming season and the removal of the 11 percent import duty on cotton to protect the raw material supply chain for the state’s textile industry.
A packed diplomatic itinerary
Accompanied by a team of senior officials and select cabinet colleagues, the Chief Minister’s itinerary extends beyond the Prime Minister’s Office. Vijay is likely to sit down with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to directly advocate for financial backings for key state portfolios.
The new administration has also drawn national interest for its structural innovations, including retaining critical departments under the Chief Minister—such as Home, Police, and Women Welfare—and carving out a dedicated cabinet-level Artificial Intelligence department, making Tamil Nadu only the second state in the country to do so.
Navigating a complex political landscape, the TVK-led government, which holds 108 seats in the assembly and enjoys backing from coalition partners including the Congress, Left parties, VCK, and IUML, is also using this trip to engage with national opposition leaders. Chief Minister Vijay is scheduled to meet Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during his stay in the capital.
Before wrapping up his tour, the Chief Minister is slated to participate in a cultural event at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he will formally inaugurate a statue of the revered Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar installed by the Tamil Nadu government. Sources indicate that Vijay will conclude his official engagements and return to Chennai on Thursday.
Assam clears Uniform Civil Code bill, becomes third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat
Assam has officially become the third state in India to pass the Uniform Civil Code bill. The legislation was cleared by the state assembly on Wednesday despite strong objections raised by opposition lawmakers who claimed it impacts minority rights.
The Assam Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed ‘The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill’, making it the third state ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to adopt a uniform legal framework after Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
Opposition flags concerns over rights during house debate
The bill was taken up for final passage in the state assembly on Wednesday, sparking a heated discussion among lawmakers. During the legislative floor debate, opposition MLAs strongly voiced their concerns regarding the proposed law, stating that the legislation will hurt and compromise the fundamental rights of a certain section of society.
Despite objections from the opposition benches, the treasury benches cleared the passage of the bill, cementing Assam’s position as the latest state to move away from diverse personal laws in favor of a uniform code. Media reported that the legislative move follows extensive political discussions in the state surrounding civil regulations. With this enactment, Assam joins Uttarakhand and Gujarat, which have previously passed their respective uniform civil codes.
Case registered against Mamata Banerjee over controversial 2025 religion remark
A formal police case has been registered against Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in Siliguri, West Bengal. The complaint alleges that her 2025 “Ganda Dharm” remark targeted Hinduism and hurt the religious sentiments of the community.
A formal police complaint has been lodged against Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal’s Siliguri. The legal action stems from an alleged derogatory remark regarding Hinduism made during an Eid congregation in Kolkata in 2025.
The case was registered following a complaint filed by a local lawyer, Rinki Chatterjee, who alleged that the former Chief Minister’s comments deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus globally.
Legal charges and complaint details
The police have invoked multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Banerjee, including Section 351(1) for criminal intimidation, Section 352 for intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and Section 353 for promoting feelings of enmity, hatred, or ill will between different communities.
According to the complaint, the controversy traces back to an Eid event organized on Kolkata’s iconic Red Road in 2025. While delivering a speech targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee purportedly referred to the version of Hinduism championed by the political rival as “Ganda Dharm” (filthy religion).
Chatterjee stated in her complaint that labeling Sanatan Dharma in such a manner at a religious gathering was “absolutely unacceptable”. The complainant also pointed to other instances where senior TMC leaders allegedly targeted Hinduism, adding that Banerjee made indirect threats to the Hindu community during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign to influence voters through intimidation.
Political responses to the FIR
The reported statements had previously drawn sharp criticism from the state BJP leadership last year, including strong objections from current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. However, this FIR represents the first formal legal action taken regarding the speech.
When approached for a response, Atri Sharma, a lawyer and general secretary of the TMC’s Darjeeling unit, declined to comment officially as a party spokesperson. However, he noted that many within the party internal circles found the remarks inappropriate at the time they were spoken. Sharma acknowledged that holding a high public office required restraint and affirmed that every individual holds the moral right to pursue legal remedies.
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