The Bihar Legislative Council descended into chaos on Friday as Opposition members, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), unleashed a fierce protest over a viral video allegedly showing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar speaking during the national anthem at a public event in Patna the previous day. The uproar, which forced the Speaker to adjourn the session until 2 pm, has ignited a political firestorm, with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accusing Kumar of tarnishing Bihar’s pride and prompting calls for his resignation.

The drama unfolded as soon as the House convened, with Tejashwi Yadav raising the issue of Kumar’s purported disrespect toward the national anthem. Despite the Speaker’s plea to defer the matter to Zero Hour, Opposition lawmakers erupted in dissent, drowning out proceedings with slogans and demands for accountability.

State Minister Vijay Chaudhary attempted to clarify the government’s position, but the relentless clamour from RJD benches rendered the session unmanageable, leading to its abrupt suspension.

Outside the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav delivered a blistering critique of the Chief Minister. “Nitish Kumar ji is a senior leader I respect, but his actions yesterday have shamed every Bihari,” he told reporters, referencing the March 20 incident.

“For a sitting Chief Minister to disrespect the national anthem—perhaps a first in India’s history—is unacceptable. He’s made us all hang our heads in shame.” The former Deputy CM’s remarks struck a nerve, amplifying the Opposition’s narrative of Kumar’s faltering leadership.

The outrage extended beyond Tejashwi, with former Chief Minister Rabri Devi joining the fray. “If Nitish Kumar has lost his senses, he should vacate the CM’s chair—maybe hand it to his son,” she quipped sharply to the press.

Leading a vociferous demonstration at the Legislative Council’s portico, Rabri Devi and RJD MLCs demanded a public apology, chanting slogans like “Puppet CM, resign!” and “India won’t forgive this insult to the national anthem.” The protest underscored the deepening rift between the ruling Janata Dal (United) and its RJD rivals.

Adding fuel to the fire, RJD MP Misa Bharti questioned Kumar’s fitness to govern, pointing to both his physical demeanour and recent controversies. “Watching him during the anthem, he didn’t seem mentally or physically sound,” she told ANI.

“I ask PM Modi and Amit Shah: Are you comfortable leaving Bihar in such hands? He insults women and children daily—this isn’t leadership.” Bharti’s comments hinted at broader political implications, suggesting the BJP-led central government might need to reassess its alliance with Kumar’s JDU.

The viral clip, widely circulated on social media, has thrust Kumar into an uncomfortable spotlight at a time when his government already faces criticism over governance and coalition tensions.

Earlier, Yadav, sharing the video of Kumar, said: “At least please do not insult the national anthem, Hon’ble Chief Minister. You insult youth, students, women and elderly people every day. Sometimes they clap on Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom day and mock his martyrdom, and sometimes they clap on the national anthem!”

A startling revelation about the alleged discovery of a substantial amount of cash at the residence of a sitting Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma sparked intense debate in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, responding to concerns raised by Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, assured the House that he would devise a framework for a structured discussion on the matter during the ongoing session.

The incident has reignited calls for greater judicial accountability, with lawmakers also revisiting a separate impeachment motion against an Allahabad High Court judge.

During the morning session, Jairam Ramesh drew attention to the unfolding scandal, describing it as “shocking.” “Today, we woke up to reports of massive cash being uncovered at the home of a Delhi High Court judge,” he said, urging the Chairman to address the broader issue of oversight within the judiciary.

Ramesh also reminded the House of a pending notice, signed by 50 MPs, seeking the impeachment of an Allahabad High Court judge over controversial remarks made earlier. “You’ve spoken repeatedly about the need for judicial accountability,” he told Dhankhar, pressing for concrete government action to strengthen transparency in the judicial system.

Dhankhar, visibly troubled by the Delhi incident, noted a troubling disparity in public scrutiny. “What bothers me is that this happened, yet it didn’t come to light immediately. Had it involved a politician, bureaucrat, or industrialist, they’d have been targeted instantly,” he remarked. Promising a “transparent, accountable, and effective” response, the Chairman said he would consult the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition to facilitate a formal debate. “I’ll ensure we find a mechanism to discuss this constructively,” he added.

The controversy deepened as reports emerged that the judge in question, Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court, was absent from court proceedings on Friday. A senior lawyer, speaking before the High Court, expressed dismay over the allegations, calling them a painful blow to the judiciary’s reputation.

Reports indicate that the Supreme Court Collegium has moved swiftly, recommending Justice Varma’s transfer back to his parent court, the Allahabad High Court, in light of the cash recovery claims. While official confirmation is pending, the development underscores the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha also grappled with the impeachment motion against the Allahabad High Court judge. Dhankhar informed the House that he had received representation from 55 MPs but faced hurdles in verifying signatures. “Most members have responded positively, aiding my duty,” he said, though he noted one member’s signature appeared twice, with the individual later denying one instance.

Urging the remaining signatories to confirm their support via email, Dhankhar emphasized that if the tally exceeds 50 verified signatures, he would proceed without delay. “The process won’t stall on my end,” he assured.

In a bold move to reinvigorate its ranks after a bruising loss in last month’s Delhi Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday announced a sweeping organisational reshuffle. Former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has been named the new president of the party’s Delhi unit, replacing Gopal Rai, while senior leader Manish Sisodia takes on the pivotal role of in-charge for Punjab, AAP’s lone stronghold among India’s states.

The changes, finalized during a meeting of the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) at the residence of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, signal a strategic pivot as the party seeks to recover momentum and expand its national footprint.

Sandeep Pathak, AAP’s general secretary (organization) and a Rajya Sabha MP, briefed the media on the reshuffle, revealing additional appointments aimed at bolstering the party’s presence beyond its traditional bases. Gopal Rai, relieved of his Delhi responsibilities, has been tasked with leading AAP’s efforts in Gujarat—a state where the party has struggled to challenge the dominant BJP but sees potential for growth following its modest gains in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly polls.

Pathak himself will oversee the party’s operations in Chhattisgarh, a region where AAP aims to capitalize on local discontent with the BJP and Congress. Meanwhile, Pankaj Gupta has been appointed to head the Goa unit, and Mehraj Malik will steer AAP’s Jammu and Kashmir chapter, reflecting the party’s ambition to establish a broader regional presence.

The PAC meeting also served as a platform to critique the BJP’s governance in Delhi, with Pathak highlighting what he called “empty promises” from the ruling party. He pointed to unfulfilled pledges such as ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance for women and free LPG cylinders—commitments the BJP had touted during its campaign but failed to deliver post-election. “These are not just lapses; they’re betrayals of public trust,” Pathak said, framing AAP’s renewed focus on accountability as a cornerstone of its future strategy in the capital.

AAP’s electoral setback in Delhi, where it had governed since 2015, has prompted introspection within the party. Once hailed for its innovative policies like free electricity and water, AAP faced criticism in the recent campaign for alleged governance lapses and corruption charges against some of its leaders.

The appointment of Bharadwaj, a seasoned communicator and former health minister, is seen as an attempt to restore public confidence in Delhi, while Sisodia’s assignment to Punjab underscores his critical role in stabilizing AAP’s government there ahead of the 2027 state elections.