Actor Raghav Tiwari, recognised for his performance in ‘Crime Patrol’, was recently assaulted by a biker following a road collision in Mumbai on December 30, specifically in the Versova area.

Tiwari stated that he exited his friend’s vehicle and began to cross the road when he inadvertently struck the accused biker. Despite promptly apologising, the biker responded with aggression, leading to a confrontation. “I asked him why he was abusing me, and in his anger, he dismounted his bike and stabbed me twice. He then kicked me in the stomach, causing me to fall,” Tiwari recounted.

The assailant further slapped the actor. In an effort to defend himself, Tiwari picked up a piece of wood and struck the biker’s hand, which resulted in the attacker dropping a liquor bottle. This incited further violence, as the biker retaliated by striking Tiwari’s head with an iron rod twice before fleeing the scene.

Tiwari’s friends promptly transported him to a nearby hospital for medical care. He described the assailant as resembling a “professional knife attacker”.

Following the incident, Tiwari approached the police to file a complaint, his head bandaged from the injury. Reports indicate that the accused is named Mohammad Zaid, and a case has been lodged against him under sections 118 (1) and 352 of the Indian Penal Code.

Tiwari alleged that the police dismissively handled his situation, failing to register the case properly in accordance with the evidence provided. He expressed frustration that, despite reviewing CCTV footage, no action was taken against the accused, who remains at large.

Additionally, he claimed that the accused was Zaid, allegedly the son of director Parvez Shaikh. Tiwari has an extensive career, having appeared in numerous Bollywood films, web series, and television shows.

Ramesh Bidhuri, the BJP candidate for Delhi’s Kalkaji constituency, stirred controversy on Sunday by stating that he would smooth the “roads of the constituency as smooth as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s cheeks” if he wins the upcoming Assembly elections.

Congress responded by denouncing Bidhuri’s comments as “shameful,” labeling the BJP as an “anti-woman party,” and asserting that his remarks reflected a deeply troubling mindset.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate urged the BJP’s leadership to seek forgiveness from Priyanka Gandhi.

Bidhuri reportedly said that RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s past assertion that he would make Bihar’s roads as smooth as the cheeks of actress Hema Malini. In defense of his remarks, Bidhuri emphasised, “Isn’t Hema Malini a woman? Hema Malini is far superior to Priyanka Gandhi when it comes to achievements in life.”

Continuing her attack, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asserted that Bidhuri’s comments illustrated both his mentality and the character of the BJP.

Additionally, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh criticized Bidhuri, questioning the BJP’s respect for women. He commented, “This is BJP’s candidate, listen to his language, this is BJP’s respect for women. Is the respect of Delhi’s women safe in the hands of such leaders?”

Speaking to ANI, Singh deemed Bidhuri’s comments about a senior Congress leader as “very unfortunate,” highlighting that the women of Delhi must recognise the kind of security they could expect under BJP leadership.

This incident is not an isolated one for Bidhuri, who has faced backlash for controversial statements before.

In 2023, he made communal remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha, which were widely criticized as inappropriate for a parliamentarian. Following that incident, he expressed “regret” over his comments.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also slammed BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks, describing his mentality and the values of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as troubling. He shared a viral video of Bidhuri on X, highlighting the issue.

Shrinate also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his comments about “mangalsutra” made in the context of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate questioned whether BJP women leaders, including Women Development Minister, party president JP Nadda, or the Prime Minister, would address this inappropriate language and mindset. She referred to Modi as the originator of this “anti-women language,” pointing out his usage of terms like “mangalsutra” and “mujra,” suggesting that such language influences the attitudes of those within his party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended birthday wishes to Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, as she celebrated her 70th birthday.

The Prime Minister posted on his X account, “On her birthday, I convey my greetings to West Bengal CM Mamata Didi. Praying for her long and healthy life.”

Similarly, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge wished her in Bengali, recognizing it as her mother tongue, stating, “Warm birthday wishes to the founding chairperson TMC, Mamata didi. Wishing you a long and healthy life.”

“Warm birthday wishes to the founding chairperson of TMC, Mamata Didi. Wishing you a long and healthy life,” Mr Kharge’s post read.

In recent years, Prime Minister Modi has consistently taken the opportunity to send birthday greetings to Mamata Banerjee every January 5. Official documents indicate that she was born on January 5, 1955; however, this date is said not to be her actual birth date. In her memoir ‘Ekante’, published in 1995, Banerjee noted that her birth occurred during Durga Puja, which typically falls at the end of September or the beginning of October according to the Hindu calendar.

Mamata Banerjee has been serving as the Chief Minister of West Bengal since 2011, marking the end of a 34-year Left Front rule. Her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), achieved victories in two consecutive state Assembly elections in 2016 and 2021.

Notably, she is the first woman to hold the Chief Minister position in West Bengal. Prior to her tenure as Chief Minister, Banerjee, as opposition leader, led several protests against the Left Front government.

Initially affiliated with Congress, she later founded the Trinamool Congress. During the 2009 Lok Sabha and 2011 state Assembly elections, her party allied with Congress, but by the 2016 West Bengal Assembly elections, Congress had shifted its alliance to the Left Front, continuing until the general elections in 2024.