Shivneri Fort Dargah Row: BJP Alleges Land Jihad at Shivaji Maharaj Birthplace, Warns of Agitation

Indian equity markets opened lower with the Nifty breaching the crucial 23,500 support mark amid rising crude oil prices nearing 100 dollars a barrel. The domestic currency opened at 94.87 against the US dollar, registering a five paise downtick. Major IT stocks including Infosys, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, and TCS emerged as top laggards, pulling the IT index down significantly. Meanwhile, Adani Airport Holdings announced plans to raise 9,825 crore rupees by selling a 5.5 per cent stake to global investors including BlackRock, Temasek, and Premji Invest, valuing the airport business at 1.78 lakh crore rupees. In the auto sector, JSW Group signed a non-binding pact with Skoda Auto Volkswagen Group for a proposed 51-49 joint venture. Additionally, the primary market witnessed a historic rush with six initial public offerings opening on a single day to raise around 4,300 crore rupees.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi authorities have initiated the manual demolition of a tilted residential building in Indira Vihar, Mukherjee Nagar. The action comes after cracks emerged between structures, posing collapse risks in the area populated by students. Although civic notices were pasted earlier identifying the structure as dangerous, formal demolition commenced following ground reports on the site. Ground visuals showed first and second floors undergoing demolition alongside disconnection of power supplies by the electricity department. Local residents reported that the building had remained tilted for several years without prior intervention despite repeated representations to municipal representatives. Furthermore, neighbouring property owners highlighted land subsidence and structural damage linked to continuous water pipe leakage and sewer line issues, alleging that multiple complaints submitted to the Delhi Jal Board regarding water supply seepages and sludge accumulation had remained unaddressed.

A political dispute has emerged over the singing of the national song, Vande Mataram, following an event at the International Film Festival in Srinagar where all six verses were played. The dispute intensified after calls were made for allies to adhere to singing only the first two stanzas, in line with the 1937 position adopted during the freedom movement. The stance maintains that the two-stanza version protects the secular, pluralist, and inclusive ethos of the country, citing historical counsel. In contrast, criticism was levelled against this position, arguing that opposing the full version demonstrates a communal outlook and disrespects the national song despite legislative support for the complete six verses at public events. The disagreement highlights differing views over whether the full rendition or the selected stanzas best reflect national unity and diversity.

Following the building collapse in Satya Niketan, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has initiated a major demolition drive targeting illegal constructions and structural violations across the national capital. Authorities have already demolished 24 properties, sealed seven buildings, and surveyed over a thousand paying guest accommodations across student hubs such as Satya Niketan, Laxmi Nagar, and Mukherjee Nagar. Inspections revealed multiple buildings constructed with unauthorised fifth floors on foundations built only for two or three storeys, leading to visible cracks. Due to structural instability and the risk posed to adjacent buildings, manual and phased demolitions are being conducted under expert supervision. Meanwhile, students from Bhagat Singh College vacated cracked accommodations, with the college setting up temporary shelter in its conference hall. Data highlights rapid urban expansion in Delhi, where building numbers increased by 18 percent between 2016 and 2023, while 38 percent of 1,717 analysed structures in Satya Niketan recorded an increase in height.