India Open to Trade Deals, 'Tariff Has Become Weaponised': Nirmala Sitharaman

The Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of petitions seeking the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar alongside challenges to decisions taken by the poll panel without the approval of fellow election commissioners. The development comes as Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted the primacy of voting rights in democracy, stating that no authority or court is above the Constitution. He stated that the wholesale disenfranchisement of citizens violates Articles 14 and 326, warning that citizens cannot be reduced to second-class status. Welcoming the remarks, the Congress party stated that the observations expose the actions of the Election Commission.

Hindu seer Mahant Sitaram Das strongly condemned Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, calling his remarks baseless and indecent. He criticised senior Congress leadership for repeatedly targeting Sanatan culture and highlighted that the party had rejected the invitation to the Ram temple while engaging 28 lawyers to oppose its construction. Addressing allegations concerning funds and the offices of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party, he questioned the evidence behind such claims. He warned that Congress leaders will face intense opposition, be shown black flags, and will not be permitted to offer prayers or worship in Ayodhya.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has triggered a row with remarks targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishva Hindu Parishad over Hindutva. He asserted that the word Hindu does not appear in the Vedas or Upanishads, stating that Hindutva creates rifts between communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians, while reiterating that India belongs to all. Singh also alleged the embezzlement of Ram Mandir donations, claiming offerings were diverted into BJP election funds and utilised for party and RSS buildings. Targeting Champat Rai as an RSS agent, he announced plans for a foot march from Ujjain to Ayodhya starting 20th of October to seek accountability over temple donations.

High drama unfolded at Jantar Mantar and outside Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi as police detained protesting journalists and YouTubers staging a sit-in. The demonstrators demanded the registration of an FIR regarding the alleged sexual harassment and physical misconduct against three female journalists by police officers during an October 3 stir against the Chief Election Commissioner. Protesters alleged they were physically manhandled and forcefully detained into a bus after sitting through the night demanding immediate legal action. Delhi Police stated that the complaint has been transferred to the Crime Branch to probe the matter before deciding on registering an FIR. Protesters argued that an FIR should be registered immediately without preliminary delay, while authorities maintained security deployment and barricading across key entry points leading to Jantar Mantar.