Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 44 development projects worth over ₹3,880 crore in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. During the visit, he took a sharp dig at opposition parties, accusing them of prioritizing family interests over national progress, while reaffirming his government’s commitment to inclusive development under the mantra “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.

Addressing the gathering, Modi emphasized his government’s focus on uplifting every citizen, contrasting it with what he described as the opposition’s power-hungry mindset. “Those obsessed with grabbing power play political games day and night, driven by ‘parivar ka saath, parivar ka vikas’ (family support, family development). In contrast, our guiding principle is the betterment of all,” he said.

He highlighted Varanasi’s transformation, noting, “Earlier, Purvanchal lacked health facilities, but today Kashi is emerging as a health capital. India is advancing with both development and heritage, and Kashi is its finest example.”

Among the key initiatives, Modi handed over Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens above 70, marking their first-time inclusion in the healthcare scheme. He also expressed ambition for India to host the 2036 Olympics, underscoring his vision for the nation’s global stature.

The projects unveiled include significant upgrades to Varanasi’s infrastructure. Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for road projects worth over ₹980 crore, including a road bridge connecting Varanasi Ring Road to Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings, and a highway underpass tunnel on NH-31 near Varanasi International Airport. These initiatives aim to enhance connectivity and ease traffic in the region.

In the power sector, he launched two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations, along with associated lines in Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts, valued at over ₹1,045 crore. Additionally, he laid the foundation for a 220 KV substation at Chaukaghat, a 132 KV substation in Ghazipur, and upgrades to Varanasi’s electricity distribution system, costing over ₹775 crore.

Modi also inaugurated a Transit Hostel at the Police Line and barracks at the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Ramnagar Campus to improve facilities for security personnel. He laid the foundation for new administrative buildings at various police stations and a residential hostel in Police Line, reinforcing law enforcement infrastructure.

On the civic front, he inaugurated the redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat along the Ganga River, alongside 130 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission worth over ₹345 crore. Other projects include enhancements to six municipal wards and landscaping with sculpture installations across Varanasi, reflecting a blend of modernity and cultural preservation.

Upon arriving in Varanasi, Modi received a detailed briefing from the police commissioner, divisional commissioner, and district magistrate about the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman in the constituency.

The case, involving 23 accused who reportedly drugged and assaulted the victim across multiple hotels over six days, has drawn widespread outrage. As of Monday, April 7, six suspects were in custody. A Uttar Pradesh government statement said, “The Prime Minister instructed officials to take the strictest action against the culprits and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”

A couple sitting on a scooter outside a park in Bengaluru was harassed and assaulted by a group of five men, sparking outrage and reigniting concerns over moral policing in Karnataka. The incident, which took place earlier this week, was caught on camera and shows the couple being questioned and abused by the group.

In the now-viral video, the man, dressed in an orange t-shirt, and the woman, wearing a burqa, are seen in a heated exchange with several men. One of the individuals is seen filming the woman on his phone. The group reportedly questioned the woman’s whereabouts and whether her family was aware of her actions, before turning their attention to the man and questioning why he was with a woman of a different faith.

In the footage, the men can be heard making demeaning remarks and asking the woman, “Do you have any shame?” They also accused the couple of behaving inappropriately in public.

Following the woman’s formal complaint, the Bengaluru police registered a case and arrested five individuals, including a juvenile. Deputy Commissioner of Police Girish confirmed the arrests, stating that further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the incident.

“The couple was sitting on a scooter when five people questioned them. We have arrested four adults and one juvenile,” said DCP Girish. “The accused mainly questioned the woman’s presence there. We will find out more during the investigation.”

While police initially maintained that the incident was non-violent, another clip surfaced showing the man being physically assaulted with what appeared to be a wooden stick.

Karnataka minister condemns incident

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge strongly condemned the act of moral policing and assured that the government would take strict action. “This is not Bihar or Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka is a progressive state,” he said, asserting that such behaviour would not be tolerated.

The incident has triggered a wider debate over individual freedoms and the rise in incidents of vigilante moral policing, especially in urban public spaces.

England’s newly appointed white-ball captain Harry Brook has finally spoken out about his two-year ban from the Indian Premier League (IPL), calling his international commitments a greater priority than franchise cricket. The batter was acquired by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 6.2 crore but pulled out days before the season began — a decision that led to his suspension from IPL auctions until 2027.

In an interview with The Mirror, Brook stated that he was at peace with his choice and would continue to prioritise representing England across formats.“This is my priority. England is the way forward for me and franchise cricket can almost take a step back for little while,” said the 26-year-old. “At the end of the day, I enjoy playing cricket for England more than anything else. To lose a little bit of money here and there, I’d take that any day to play for England.”

Brook added that he would not participate in any franchise tournaments in the near future, focusing instead on England’s packed international calendar leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.

IPL ban not officially communicated, says Brook

Interestingly, Brook claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had not formally informed him of the two-year IPL ban. “They haven’t told me,” he said, while acknowledging that the decision aligns with the tournament’s rules. “If I do get banned, fair play. That’s the rules they put in place, but I’m completely committed to playing cricket for England,” he added.

The decision comes in the wake of growing club-versus-country debates, especially with star players like Brook having to manage workloads across formats and continents.

Brook was recently named England’s new white-ball captain following Jos Buttler’s departure, with a clear mandate to revitalise the team’s fortunes in both ODI and T20 formats after a string of underwhelming performances at global tournaments.

The young skipper is also a key figure in England’s red-ball setup. With 11 Tests scheduled until the end of the upcoming Ashes in January, and over two dozen white-ball fixtures before the 2026 T20 World Cup, Brook will play a central role in balancing leadership, form, and fitness.