DMK Protests Over CM Vijay's Assembly Speech, Hand Gesture Row

A key meeting of the TVK and its alliance partners, including the Congress, VCK, and AIUML, is underway in Tamil Nadu to finalise the official name of the coalition and formulate strategy for upcoming by-polls in Madurantakam and Dharapuri. The coalition name is expected to reflect principles of secularism and social justice. The meeting takes place amid internal friction after alliance partner VCK raised objections regarding an assembly gesture, despite clarifications that the action carried no intent to disrespect anyone. Deliberations continue on selecting candidates for the vacant assembly seats ahead of a joint press briefing.

Following the building collapse at a paying guest accommodation in Delhi's Satya Niketan, police have arrested five persons, including the building owner Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila Gupta, their son Mahesh Gupta, PG operator Sudhanshu, and labour contractor Sanju. A search is underway for another operator on the run. The building collapsed due to basement work carried out without safety measures. Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Police launched demolition drives against illegal and unauthorised structures across areas including Uttam Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, and Geeta Colony following directions against dangerous and unapproved constructions.

A ground report from Satya Niketan highlights the ongoing plight of college students facing severe distress in paying guest accommodations. Faculty and student volunteers from Maitri College have mobilised relief efforts, conducting donation drives to distribute essential supplies and providing temporary shelter along with meals in the college hostel. Representatives on the ground state that several PG owners have restricted outside communication, locked premises, and instructed residents not to alert authorities or media due to fears of eviction following compliance checks. Caretakers and owners in multiple facilities have reportedly abandoned the premises without providing regular meals or refunding security deposits. While basic amenities like clothes and drinking water have seen partial restoration, stranded students continue to face acute food shortages and difficulty vacating their accommodations amidst the crisis.

Following the building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan that killed seven Delhi University students, police have arrested five people, including building owner Hariram Gupta, his family members, a PG operator, and a labour contractor. Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials have faced suspensions, and civic authorities have initiated a phased demolition of the adjacent dilapidated Kanak Lata PG building. Dilapidated structures in Laxmi Nagar and Pandav Nagar are also facing scrutiny. Additionally, the government has announced curbs on paying guest accommodations, mandating registration, rent caps, CCTV cameras, night guards, and limiting security deposits to three months.