PM Modi's 76th Birthday: Month-Long Seva Abhiyan, SemiCon India Launch & Mega Events

A political confrontation has escalated between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress party over the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for high-value Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. The BJP accused the Congress of hypocrisy, stating that Congress members on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, including former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Manish Tewari, did not record dissent when tiered MDR implementation was recommended. The Congress had previously termed the proposed charge a 'Modi Tax', alleging government pressure. Meanwhile, experts and stakeholders discussed transaction thresholds, merchant cost bearing, and the long-term sustainability of the digital payments ecosystem.

An internal political dispute has erupted within the Congress party regarding the choice of the prime ministerial face for the opposition in 2029. Tension escalated between party leaders over leadership consensus and alliance coordination involving regional political dynamics in Tamil Nadu. While discussions continue regarding ties with the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam, leaders within the state unit exchanged sharp remarks over candidate acceptability, national leadership credentials, and alliance management. The disagreement highlights ongoing internal debate over whether regional allies fully endorse the national leadership for the top post, exposing differing views within the organization about upcoming coalition strategies and leadership negotiations.

Tensions arose in Bhatkal in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district after unidentified individuals allegedly pelted stones at the Ismail Sunni Jamia Mosque and the Tajus Sunnah Arabic Madarsa during a Ganesh idol immersion procession. The incident occurred while the procession, originating from Talen, was traversing the railway station road after crossing the Gulmi railway bridge. The stone-pelting caused damage to the window panes of both the mosque and the madarsa. Following the incident, a complaint was registered at the Bhatkal Town police station by 67-year-old Abdul Alim. Local community members held a protest outside the police station, dispersing after the Superintendent of Police assured them that necessary action would be taken and that an investigation is underway to identify the culprits.

A shocking incident unfolded in Bengaluru after a young woman from Rajasthan was allegedly kidnapped by her family members from Agrahara Dasarahalli. The woman had married a young man against her parents' wishes and was residing in a rented house for around 15 days. Her family members arrived in a car and forcibly took her away. While attempting to flee towards Vijayanagar and Hosahalli, the vehicle rammed into multiple vehicles and pedestrians, injuring nearly six people, including two children aged nine and 12 years. Furious locals chased the vehicle and managed to halt it near Hosahalli by pelting stones. The woman was rescued and handed over to the police. Authorities identified four individuals in connection with the incident, arresting three suspects while the driver remains absconding.