In a scathing attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that the Jharkhand  government had allowed infiltrators to grab land and abuse tribal women. He was addressing a public rally in election bound Jharkhand’s Deoghar.

While addressing people at Deoghar’s Sarath, the Prime Minister said that wherever he has travelled in Jharkhand, the biggest worry has been about infiltration. He pointed out that as per the data available, the tribal population in Santhal has reduced to half, adding that they have to protect the tribal families and every Jharkhandi from this.

PM Modi stated that there is a huge conspiracy being done to change the identity of Jharkhand. He alleged that under JMM-Congress, every wrong thing was done to make these infiltrators permanent residents in the state. He added that these infiltrators snatched residents’ jobs and roti. 

He further mentioned that the JMM government said in court that there has been infiltration in the state. Highlighting that the protection of daughters and land is the biggest issue in this election, PM Modi assured you that BJP will protect them.

Furthermore, he also claimed that the Congress leaders abuse women, underlining that the party made many objectionable words against Sita Soren. He added that the Congress knows nothing will happen to them as they have protection from the JMM govt. 

Echoing his claim that Congress was trying to divide people on the basis of caste, PM Modi said that when the BJP decided to make a tribal daughter the President of India, Congress tried its best to defeat her, and even today they insult her. He said that Congress has dangerous intentions. Apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi, he said that Congress ka shehzada has made it clear that they want to end reservation for SC/ST & OBC.

Meanwhile, voting for the Jharkhand assembly elections phase 1 is underway in 43 of the state’s 81 seats across 15 districts. The second phase of voting will take place on November 20, and the results will be declared on November 23.

In a harrowing incident, a Tamil Nadu government doctor was stabbed seven times at a Chennai hospital on Wednesday morning by a young man whose mother was being treated for cancer by the same doctor. The man was also a patient attender at that hospital.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the doctor, an oncologist, is also a heart patient and suffered injuries to his upper chest and head. The Minister added that the doctor is in the Intensive Care Unit, or the ICU, but is in stable condition. Reportedly, a senior doctor said that his colleague has a pacemaker and was cut on his forehead and back, as well as behind his ear, and was also hit on his stomach. 

The young man who stabbed him has been arrested. The gruesome attack took place in the OPD, or outpatient department, of the Kalaignar Centenary Hospital in the city’s Guindy neighbourhood. The young man reportedly suspected the doctor had prescribed incorrect medication to his mother, a cancer patient.

The 26 years old accused tried to escape after stabbing the doctor but was caught and handed over to the police. He used a small knife hidden on his person, but insisted there was no security lapse, the Health Minister said. 

Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered an inquiry and promised medical aid, as well as providing assurances such an attack won’t happen again. Taking to X, the Chief Minister said that the service of doctors is laudable and it is their responsibility to ensure their safety.

He added that the selfless work of our government doctors in providing treatment to patients regardless of the time is immeasurable. He further assured that the government will take measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

This incident once again questions the safety of healthcare workers at their workplace, an issue that shook the nation after the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital.

A thick blanket of smog enveloped Delhi and the surrounding regions of Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad on Wednesday morning, resulting in flight diversions.

Nearly 10 flights were diverted, including six to Jaipur and one to Lucknow, since 7 am. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that a Zero-metre visibility was recorded at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8.30 am with the Runway Visual Range varying between 125 and 500 metres at different locations.

In a social media post, Delhi International Airport Limited said that while landing and takeoffs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. It added that CAT III is a navigation system that enables aircraft to land even when visibility is low.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality index was in the Severe category breaching the 400 mark, while Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad were in the Poor category. Faridabad’s Air Quality Index stood at 188, in the Moderate category.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said that visibility was poor as the AQI entered the Severe category after remaining in the Very Poor category for two weeks in Delhi. It mentioned that two monitoring stations, including Anand Vihar and Aya Nagar, reported the air quality in the severe category.

Reportedly, very dense fog began forming at around 5.30 am, while the weather department has forecast shallow fog for the day, with the maximum temperature expected to settle at 32 degrees Celsius.

Notably, the second stage of Graded Response Action Plan remains in force in the national capital, which entails mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads, and implementation of dust control measures at construction and demolition sites.

An Air Quality Index between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plus.