Farm protests: Protesters propose December 29 for next round of talks with Govt

Political confrontation over the Special Intensive Revision has intensified with the BJP and the INDIA bloc taking their battle to the streets. The ruling party launched a counteroffensive led by a foot march in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, while key leaders accused the opposition of spreading anarchy. Meanwhile, the opposition has announced plans to conduct a public impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner at Mallikarjun Kharge's residence following venue denials, leading up to a massive rally at Ramlila Maidan on 1 November. However, local trader associations have raised concerns regarding severe market disruptions and sought talks with Rahul Gandhi to prevent business losses.

The Congress responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's taunt regarding the party failing to win any seats in the recent MLC elections conducted via ballot voting. Reacting to the remarks, the Congress challenged the Prime Minister to prove through action rather than rhetoric that electronic voting machines do not impact election outcomes. The party demanded a commitment to conduct all future Lok Sabha and state assembly elections exclusively using ballot paper. Additionally, the Congress called for the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision process, the termination of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the repeal of legislation granting him lifelong legal immunity.

Cyclone Arnab has caused widespread damage in coastal Andhra Pradesh, with the death toll rising to six. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu confirmed the casualties and announced an ex gratia compensation of five lakh rupees for the families of the deceased. Financial assistance of ten thousand rupees for partially damaged houses and twenty-five thousand rupees for destroyed shops has also been announced, along with relief for farmers facing extensive crop destruction. Strong gale winds flattened rice, banana, and coconut plantations across districts including Kakinada, Uppada, and Konaseema. The Andhra Pradesh government has reached out to the central government, requesting an assessment team to secure additional financial assistance.

The Madras High Court has ruled that non-Hindus cannot enter temples in Tamil Nadu without affirming reverence for the presiding deity and agreeing to follow temple customs and practices. The court highlighted the example set during a visit to the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, where the Chief Minister, a Christian by faith, signed the mandatory undertaking declaring reverence for Goddess Meenakshi. Pulling up other political figures over incidents of non-Hindus entering shrines, including an episode at a temple in Tiruvannamalai, the High Court observed that affirming reverence rather than undergoing conversion represents an inclusive approach to maintaining temple traditions.