Punjab Politics: Congress Targets AAP Over Gulzar Singh Case and Demands Minister Resignation

The death of a man in Sangrur has triggered a political dispute in Punjab over the state's drug crisis. The deceased allegedly died by suicide after questioning the state finance minister over drug supply in his village and facing pressure to apologise. While opposition leaders demanded the minister's resignation, an impartial investigation, and accused the administration of harassment, the family stated they reached an understanding involving compensation and a government job with no pressure from authorities. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused opposition parties of exploiting the tragedy for political gain while defending his government.

A television debate examined the political dispute surrounding the rendition of the national song Vande Mataram following parliamentary amendments regarding its protection. Discussions focused on the differing approaches taken by political allies, with the National Conference choosing to stand for the full six stanzas citing constitutional obligations, while the Congress maintained its traditional adherence to the two-stanza version formulated in nineteen thirty-seven. Representatives debated whether the requirement to sing the complete version constitutes an enforced loyalty test or a legitimate constitutional duty passed by Parliament. The panel also addressed ideological consistency, historical resolutions from the pre-independence era, and broader differences within political alliances over national symbols and legislative compliance.

A political controversy has emerged over the rendition of the national song, Vande Mataram, creating differences within the opposition alliance. While National Conference leaders in Jammu and Kashmir stood in attention for the full six stanzas of the song at an event in Srinagar, the Congress party reaffirmed its position of endorsing only the first two stanzas to preserve inclusive ethos. The National Conference maintained that the law passed regarding the song must be respected. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party targeted Congress over its stance, criticising the party and highlighting growing internal divisions between the alliance partners.

As America marks 25 years since the September 11 terror attacks, New York City has settled two lawsuits with 9/11 Health Watch, ending a multi-year legal battle to release files concerning air quality and health concerns. Meanwhile, Donald Trump honoured first responders at the White House but sparked controversy over his personal account of 9/11. Trump claimed firefighters carried him away near One Liberty Plaza during the aftermath, an account challenged by critics who noted he was not at the site at the time. Surfacing archival footage, photographs, and past contradictory statements have fuelled online debate, prompting social media scrutiny and memes.