India records 6,155 new Covid cases

The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report against Meta India following directions from the National Human Rights Commission. The legal action addresses the availability of child sexual exploitative and abuse material on Meta-owned platforms, including Instagram. Investigations revealed that platforms allegedly hosted paid advertisements using objectionable keywords, redirecting users to external messaging channels where illegal abuse material was commercialised. The commission scrutinised Meta as an active publisher of paid content rather than a passive intermediary, highlighting potential violations under the POCSO Act. Officials reiterated that platforms operating in India must strictly adhere to Indian regulations to safeguard children online.

A political face-off has intensified between the Congress and the BJP after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate. Gandhi called for a public discussion covering the India-US deal, the Adani issue, and alleged foreign connections, suggesting the media and youth be present and that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat could act as judge. He also initiated a social media poll among young citizens. In response, Union ministers and the BJP asserted that Parliament, rather than social media or public roads, is the constitutional venue for debates between the Leader of Opposition and the Prime Minister, noting government readiness to discuss issues such as SIR and EVMs.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh defended the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, backing the deletion of deceased and ineligible voters. The organisation warned against forces attempting to cause social unrest, incite youth, and engineer regime change outside democratic norms, citing possible involvement of disruptive foreign elements. While the Congress and opposition parties demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged disenfranchisement, the RSS urged that political opposition should be based on facts and called on the government to address genuine concerns of young people.

Air quality across Delhi and the National Capital Region continues to deteriorate, with the average Air Quality Index touching 399, just a notch below the hazardous category. Key locations including India Gate, ITO, and Kartavya Path recorded poor visibility and severe pollution levels as a thick blanket of toxic smog covered the city. Despite the enforcement of GRAP 2 measures and the winter action plan, meteorological conditions and local pollutants have kept skies heavily congested. The worsening environmental conditions have triggered a fierce political exchange between authorities in Delhi and Punjab over stubble burning. While allegations were raised regarding farm fires in Punjab impacting the national capital, counterclaims dismissed these charges as an attempt to defame local farmers, noting that harvesting had not commenced in certain regions. Ground reports from Punjab revealed sporadic stubble fires even as authorities cited reduced counts compared to previous seasons.