Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge faces criticism after controversial remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, says statement was misinterpreted

A political controversy erupted after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” during a public address, triggering sharp reactions from the ruling party.

Following the backlash, Kharge issued a clarification, stating that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he did not intend to label the Prime Minister as a terrorist. He instead accused Modi of using threatening language in political discourse.

The comment quickly drew strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with leaders calling the remark inappropriate and accusing the Congress of lowering political discourse. The exchange reflects heightened tensions between the ruling party and the opposition amid the ongoing election season.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also condemned the remark, describing it as “atrocious” and indicative of a new low in political rhetoric.

The incident has further intensified the war of words between the two parties, with both sides trading accusations as campaigning gains momentum.

Fresh violence broke out in Manipur’s Senapati district after an ambush on civilians triggered clashes between Naga and Kuki groups, escalating tensions in the hill regions.

According to media reports, the confrontation followed an ambush in which civilians were targeted, leading to anger among local groups and subsequent clashes.

Reports indicate that civilians were killed in the incident, which intensified distrust between communities. Following this, local organisations announced shutdowns and protests, disrupting normal life in several areas.

Security forces have been deployed, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely as tensions remain high.

Clashes were reported in areas near district borders, where both sides confronted each other during enforcement of shutdown calls. The situation escalated into violence, with reports of gunfire and physical altercations in certain pockets.

Authorities have been closely monitoring the situation, and security forces have been deployed to prevent further escalation. However, normal life in affected areas has been disrupted due to fear and uncertainty.

Manipur has witnessed a prolonged period of ethnic tension in recent years, particularly involving different communities in the hill districts. While earlier conflicts largely involved other groups, the latest clashes signal a widening of the unrest.

Experts note that such incidents, especially attacks on civilians, often act as flashpoints that quickly spiral into broader community confrontations.

Peace talks between the United States and Iran are being considered in Islamabad, with uncertainty over participation and format

Peace talks between the United States and Iran are being considered in Islamabad, according to media reports, with the possibility that former US President Donald Trump may participate either in person or virtually. However, no final decision on the venue, format or participation has been confirmed.

According to reports citing a Pakistani source, preparations for the talks are moving ahead as scheduled, and both sides are expected to engage in discussions aimed at resolving ongoing tensions.

The proposed talks come at a critical time, as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilise relations amid heightened geopolitical strain. Pakistan is expected to host or facilitate the discussions, hosting the discussions and coordinating with both Washington and Tehran to facilitate dialogue.

Officials familiar with the development indicated that Trump’s participation remains uncertain, with reports indicating he may attend either in person or virtually. His presence—either physically in Islamabad or through virtual means—would signal the importance of the outcome and potentially influence the direction of the talks.

Despite the progress in planning, uncertainty remains over the final composition of delegations and the level of participation from each side. Separate reports suggest that while preparations are underway, clarity over Iran’s attendance and broader engagement is still evolving.

The talks are expected to focus on easing tensions and exploring pathways toward a broader agreement, though key sticking points between the two sides remain unresolved.