IndiGo Aircraft Hits Pole During Parking At Srinagar Airport; All Passengers And Crew Safe

A major controversy erupted in Kerala following remarks by Islamic scholar and Samastha leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar regarding the role of women in society. Musliyar issued a clarification after facing severe criticism, stating that his organisation never advocated confining women or treating them as second-class citizens, noting that institutions under their management offer education to women. Earlier, Musliyar had asserted that women should primarily stay at home to preserve their dignity, as according to him, it was prescribed in the Holy Quran. Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan strongly countered this perspective, asserting that women must participate across all spheres of life and citing Islamic history where women led armies, ruled kingdoms, and managed major businesses. The political controversy follows a Samastha circular urging curbs on women participating publicly in festival celebrations, triggering widespread debate on constitutional democracy, gender equality, and progressive values in the state.

A senior priest of the Mar Thoma Church in Kerala has drawn criticism after suggesting that pre-marriage HIV tests should be made mandatory before wedding ceremonies conducted by the church. The priest cited recent campus testing initiatives undertaken by the Karnataka government following an increase in cases. Additional remarks advising parents regarding their daughters before marriage sparked widespread debate on social media. While some viewed premarital screening as a preventive health measure if applied equally to both brides and grooms, questions were raised concerning the specific focus on women.

Politics has intensified in Chennai over the ongoing sanitation workers' protest regarding demands for salary hikes and job regularisation. While the opposition has criticised the administration for failing to address the workers' demands and fulfil promises of wage increases, a team comprising leaders including Vasi Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Nirmal Kumar, and Rajmohan is scheduled to hold talks with the protesting corporation workers at Chennai's Ripon Building. Authorities noted that while administrative processes are ready, financial challenges and multiple worker associations are being addressed to reach an early resolution.

Tensions have surfaced within the Telangana Congress following the removal of former Backward Classes Minister Konda Surekha from the state cabinet. Addressing the media, the former minister alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy forced and blackmailed her into handing over her resignation to save face, warning fellow cabinet ministers that they could face similar treatment in the future. The episode has drawn sharp reactions from the opposition, with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Etala Rajender criticising the Congress administration, citing internal cracks, leadership failures, and the declining representation of women ministers across Congress-governed state governments.