PM Modi to hoist flag atop Ayodhya Temple; Rift over Karnataka CM post continues

Indian Youth Congress workers staged a protest march from Patel Chowk towards the Parliament Street Police Station in central Delhi, demanding the reclamation of Jantar Mantar as an official protest site following its denotification. Demonstrators carrying placards and flags began their march from their Raisina Road office before being halted by security forces. Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel, including the Rapid Action Force, established two layers of barricades along the route to prevent the protesting workers from advancing further towards the police station.

The Delhi Police has issued a notice to former Jawaharlal Nehru University professor and Congress Member of Parliament Bimol Akoijam, directing him to join an ongoing probe. Issued by the Vasant Kunj North Police Station under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the summons requires him to present his side before investigating officials. The police action follows the registration of a First Information Report based on complaints alleging sexual harassment, making sexually offensive remarks, and inappropriate conduct. Political friction has intensified surrounding the case, with Bharatiya Janata Party women parliamentarians having met President Droupadi Murmu to seek action against the Congress MP. Legal correspondent Arvind Ojha highlighted that following the formal notice, the accused must appear in person before the police to record his statement and address the allegations directly.

Politics is heating up ahead of next year's Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections as rival parties look for ways to outplay their competitors in the polls.

Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab unit chief Kewal Singh Dhillon attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over rampant narcotics trafficking and deteriorating law and order. Citing the killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Dhillon demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry and confirmed writing to the Punjab Governor. He alleged that the state government and police cannot be trusted, noting that a Punjab policeman deployed in VIP security was caught by the Border Security Force with 15 kilograms of heroin. Highlighting multiple killings in September and October 2026—including police personnel, a bank manager in Amritsar, an influencer, and previous attacks on politicians and police stations—Dhillon stated that Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, has no moral right to remain in power. He further claimed that fear and widespread drug sales have prompted residents in places like Faridkot to put up 'house for sale' signs.