Karni Sena activists descended on the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra on Wednesday, unleashing chaos to protest his controversial remarks about Rajput warrior Rana Sanga. The demonstration erupted into violence as the mob pelted stones, shattered windows, and wrecked vehicles outside the MP’s home. Police moved in swiftly, deploying minimal force to quell the unrest, but not before skirmishes broke out between officers and the furious protesters.

The uproar stems from a March 21 Rajya Sabha speech where Suman branded Rana Sanga, the revered Mewar ruler, a “traitor” for allegedly inviting Mughal emperor Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. “If Muslims are Babur’s descendants, then Hindus descend from the traitor Rana Sanga,” he declared, rejecting the ‘Babur ki aulad’ jibe aimed at Indian Muslims, whom he said revere Prophet Mohammed and Sufi traditions instead. The statement has enraged the Karni Sena, a right-wing group fiercely protective of Rajput heritage.

“This was a small taste,” said Karni Sena leader Mahipal Makrana. “We smashed a few chairs outside Suman’s house—nothing major yet. But this is just the beginning. We’ve been patient, but insulting our icons like Rana Sanga crosses the line. If our members face any backlash, we’ll paralyze the country with protests.” The group’s anger wasn’t limited to Agra.

On Sunday, they rallied outside the SP’s Bhopal office in Tulsi Nagar, torching an effigy of Suman. The outfit’s Madhya Pradesh wing even dangled a Rs 5 lakh reward for anyone who’d smear Suman’s face with ink and slap him with footwear.

SP leaders cried foul, alleging the Bhopal protesters trashed their banners and posters. “It happened at 7:15 pm, orchestrated by the BJP to expose the state’s collapse,” claimed SP spokesperson Yash Bharatiya, pointing to a video of a banner being yanked down.

However, TT Nagar police chief Sudhir Arjaria dismissed the damage claims, noting the brief demonstration warranted no arrests. With police on-site before the Bhopal crowd arrived, Bharatiya accused authorities of complicity, demanding Assembly debate. The Karni Sena’s wrath shows no sign of fading.

The central government is expected to soon consider the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, which could significantly revise salaries, pensions, and benefits for around 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. If implemented, experts suggest monthly salaries could rise by up to Rs 19,000, depending on the government’s final budget allocation and fitment factor.

What is a Pay Commission?

A Pay Commission is a government-appointed body that recommends changes in pay structures for central government employees and pensioners. Constituted approximately every 10 years, the panel reviews salaries based on inflation, economic conditions, and the cost of living.

The 7th Pay Commission, implemented in 2016, increased the minimum basic salary from ₹7,000 to Rs 18,000 and used a fitment factor of 2.57, which determines the scale of salary hikes. The revision came at a cost of Rs 1.02 lakh crore to the government.

What kind of salary hike is expected?

Although the 8th Pay Commission is yet to be formally announced, financial projections indicate a notable hike in monthly salaries:

With Rs 1.75 lakh crore allocation: Salary could rise from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1,14,600/month

With Rs 2 lakh crore allocation: Salary could go up to Rs 1,16,700/month

With Rs 2.25 lakh crore allocation: Salary might increase to Rs 1,18,800/month

These are pre-tax salary estimates for mid-level employees, and actual increases will depend on the fitment factor and final government decision.

When could it be implemented?

Although there’s no official timeline, experts anticipate that the 8th Pay Commission may be constituted in April 2025, with its recommendations likely implemented by 2026 or 2027.

Once formed, the commission will consult with employee unions and other stakeholders to finalize the pay structure. While unions are likely to demand a fitment factor of 2.57 or higher, former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has suggested a more conservative estimate of around 1.92, calling higher expectations “unrealistic” under current economic conditions.

Comedian Kunal Kamra shared a newly reposted video on social media Wednesday, featuring a parody song directed at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This move follows significant backlash from a previous parody in which he referred to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor) during a performance in Mumbai.

In the recently reposted video, Kamra performs a reimagined version of the song “Hawa Hawai,” originally from the 1987 film Mr. India, starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. In his comedic take, he highlights the struggles faced by everyday citizens under corporate pressures and a burdensome tax system. His performance critiques not only flawed infrastructure, such as poor roads, but also the perceived lack of urgency from the government in fostering development.

Amidst this controversy, Kamra is facing legal repercussions for his remarks about Shinde. This has led to incidents of vandalism at the venue by Shiv Sena supporters. The Mumbai police have summoned him to answer for his statements, but he has requested additional time to comply through his attorney.

Furthermore, Kamra has not shied away from addressing the ongoing backlash. He recently posted another parody aimed at the Shiv Sena and their protests against him. This latest video features his adapted version of the anthem “Hum honge Kamyaab,” blending political commentary with humor. The visuals accompanying this parody include scenes of Shiv Sena activists demolishing the venue and setting his effigy ablaze, all while his parody “Hum honge kangaal” plays in the background.

The response to Kamra’s work has been mixed; while the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra has publicly criticized his jibe at Shinde, he has received support from various opposition groups.

Kunal Kamra’s recent social media activity and parody performances underscore his engagement with political discourse, revealing public sentiments while attracting noteworthy media attention and creating a divisive reaction among political communities.