INDIA Bloc Meets In Delhi, Seeks CEC Resignation; BJP Slams Alliance As Sinking Ship

Security forces gunned down top Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Musa during an encounter in Gurweeth Kalan village of Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district. Joint forces initiated a cordon-and-search operation late at night based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement of a Lashkar group. The search team came under fire from two locations and retaliated, eliminating Musa in the initial exchange of fire. Musa headed the Musa Fauji group and was wanted for multiple guerrilla attacks on security forces and army convoys across Jammu and Kashmir, including an ambush in Gulmarg's Batapathri area that killed two army personnel. Combing operations continue in the area as forces suspect additional terrorists remain in hiding.

AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi addressed a range of political and socio-economic issues concerning minorities, electoral representation and governance at the India Today South Conclave. Owaisi argued that successive governments have treated religious minorities as a vote bank while failing to ensure proportional representation and independent political leadership. He also criticised both the BJP and parties that identify themselves as secular, questioning their record on political representation and justice. Owaisi raised concerns over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, describing it as a “backdoor NRC” that could lead to voter disenfranchisement. He also opposed the Uniform Civil Code, arguing that constitutional pluralism must accommodate India's diversity. On parliamentary delimitation based on population, he warned that it could deepen the political divide between northern and southern states and affect minority representation. Meanwhile, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa criticised the Election Commission's response to questions over SIR and changes to Form 6. He likened the poll body's concessions to “applying a Band-Aid to a fracture”, arguing that they did not address concerns over the fairness of the exercise. Lavasa and former CEC OP Rawat also questioned the procedure followed for issuing different versions of Form 6 and the absence of recorded minutes of constitutional decision-making.

Kolkata is making extensive preparations to host five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil for a historic friendly match against the Indian football team at Swami Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on 3 October. The stadium pitch and locker rooms have been prepared to welcome international stars including Vinicius Junior, Bruno Guimarães, and Raphinha. The All India Football Federation alongside the West Bengal government has implemented robust security and organizational measures to ensure smooth conduct following past event issues. The fixture marks a historic moment where the Blue Tigers face world-ranked fifth Brazil, followed by a match against Uruguay.

In an interview discussing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, former Supreme Court judge Justice AK Sikri shared critical views on its procedural execution. While agreeing that the exercise is constitutionally valid under the law and backed by judicial precedent, Justice Sikri voiced serious apprehension regarding implementation at the grassroots level. He noted that the procedure improperly places the burden of proof on legitimate voters already listed on the rolls. Sikri observed that exclusion notices often penalise vulnerable, illiterate, and rural citizens over minor clerical errors such as spelling mismatches. Emphasising constitutional mandates under Articles 324, 325, and 326, he warned, "The burden of proof has shifted on the electoral person who is already in the list." He insisted that the Election Commission of India must adhere strictly to statutory procedures and principles of natural justice so genuine citizens are not arbitrarily disenfranchised.