Karnataka SIR Stir: Congress Protests at EC Office Over Form 7, BJP Hits Back

A detailed investigation conducted by Paris authorities has cleared the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha in the controversy surrounding the Eiffel Tower visit. The probe concluded that there was no explicit request or written document from the religious organisation asking to exclude or remove female staff during the delegation's visit. Officials noted the incident resulted from a collective dysfunction and misinterpretation of an initial request. A visit by a hundred-member delegation had coincided with the opening of a temple on the outskirts of Paris, following which allegations surfaced that female employees were sidelined or replaced. According to sources cited during the broadcast, an incident involving a lift operator being asked to step aside due to space constraints had triggered the wider controversy. While the probe has officially cleared the organisation of any wrongdoing, authorities continue to look into how the misrepresentation occurred.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has expanded the free bus travel scheme for women across the state under the rebranded name Vetri Payanam. The expansion includes express buses, limited stop services, and deluxe buses operating across corporations, municipalities, town panchayats, and hill areas. Previously, the benefit was restricted solely to ordinary city buses. The scheme was originally introduced under the DMK regime as the Vidiyal Payanam scheme. The Chief Minister launched the extended services at Koyambedu and Ambattur bus depots in Chennai, where he boarded buses and interacted with women passengers. The initiative aims to provide daily financial relief to working-class women commuting across Tamil Nadu. The DMK has pointed out the rebranding of the existing programme, while discussions also surfaced regarding TVK's Annapoorani Super Six LPG cylinder initiative.

The Indian women's recurve archery team made history at the Asian Games 2026 by securing a gold medal after defeating powerhouse South Korea with a 5-3 victory in the final. The team, comprising Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mahod, and Kirti, delivered India's first-ever women's recurve team gold at the Asian Games. This achievement also marked India's 11th gold medal at the ongoing tournament. The triumph is notable given South Korea's long-standing dominance in the sport as ten-time Olympic champions. India held their nerve in a tightly fought contest after South Korea levelled the score in the opening sets, eventually sealing the historic win.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has closed entry and exit gates at 11 central Delhi stations until further notice amid heightened security arrangements. The affected stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Tirth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, and New Delhi. DMRC clarified that interchange facilities remain operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi, and Central Secretariat. The precautionary measures follow planned demonstrations called by the Cockroach Janata Party and opposition groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Authorities deployed heavy police and paramilitary forces across central Delhi, sealing routes leading to Jantar Mantar under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. While organisers announced that demonstrations would commence from Mumbai, law enforcement agencies in Delhi reinforced security cordons to prevent unauthorised gatherings.