In this episode of 'Elections On My Plate', we delve into the political climate of Bihar, a region known for its significant influence on Indian politics. The Modi-led alliance previously secured 39 of the 40 seats in Bihar in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, recent political turbulence has prompted fresh questions about Modi's appeal and whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is an asset or a liability for the ruling alliance.
So, is the Modi appeal still intact in Bihar? Is Chief Minister Nitish Kumar an asset or a liability now for the ruling alliance? And what about the rising Tejashwi Yadav's appeal amongst the younger voters? Watch India Today's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai's ground report from Patna and Hajipur to find out what people have to say.
During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Donald Trump held a meeting and joint press conference with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on the sidelines of the summit. The interaction between the president and the mayor, whom Trump had previously referred to as a communist lunatic, prompted widespread reactions and discussions across social media platform X as users reacted to their unexpected rapport.
Islamabad is preparing for major street protests amid ongoing legal and human rights concerns surrounding the detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. International bodies, including the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Amnesty International, have raised issues regarding fair trial standards and prison conditions. Ahead of planned demonstrations, nearly 1,000 commercial shipping containers have reportedly been seized by authorities, drawing allegations from transporters and drivers regarding confiscated vehicles, cargo safety, and missing documents. The situation reflects escalating tensions within Pakistan's political landscape, marked by systematic crackdowns on political leaders, past security actions at D-Chowk, and heightened friction between political factions and the military establishment.
Tensions escalated at IIT Bombay following the death by suicide of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode, leading to campus protests and counter-protests. Sahil's parents, accompanied by their legal counsel, demanded the immediate arrest of invigilator Professor Surya Narayan Dula, alleging caste-based discrimination and harassment. Mumbai Police registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Meanwhile, IIT Bombay faculty members, backed by faculty forums from IIT Delhi and IIT Madras, defended Professor Dula, stating that established protocol was followed after detecting exam malpractices, with faculty forum head Professor Rajkumar Pant stating the invigilator was executing his academic duties. A panel debate featuring Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar and IIT Kharagpur alumnus Rajat Sethi examined caste discrimination, academic stress, and institutional support systems. Additionally, the bulletin covers a police encounter in Jamui, Bihar involving molestation accused, alongside legal arguments by Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Harish Salve regarding Tata Sons board powers, shareholder rights, and affirmative trust voting.
