India celebrates 74th Republic Day today

Under the Uttar Pradesh government's Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, financial assistance provided to girl children from birth through higher education has been increased from 15,000 rupees to 25,000 rupees starting financial year 2024-2025. The revised assistance is disbursed across six stages: 5,000 rupees at birth, 2,000 rupees upon completing full vaccination, 3,000 rupees each upon admission to class one and class six, 5,000 rupees on admission to class nine, and 7,000 rupees on admission to a diploma or graduation course after class 12. To qualify, families must reside in Uttar Pradesh with an annual income below three lakh rupees. The benefit covers up to two daughters per family, with an exception allowing a third daughter if twins are born in a second delivery.

Speaking at the India Today Health Wealth Summit, Union Health Minister JP Nadda strongly criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial remark regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda stated that he felt ashamed of the language used by the Congress chief and condemned the party for justifying it, calling the stance a reflection of mental bankruptcy. He asserted that the country is progressing under Prime Minister Modi's leadership and suggested the opposition take lessons from the BJP on functioning constructively. The political row erupted following Kharge's heated remarks at an event in Patna.

This edition of So South covers major political and crime developments across southern states. In Tamil Nadu, the Department of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption launched searches across 25 locations linked to former DMK minister KN Nehru regarding an alleged ₹635-crore cash-for-jobs scam in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Corporation. The DMK labelled the action political vendetta ahead of the Tiruchirappalli East by-election, while also highlighting worsening law and order with seven murders reported in Thoothukudi. In Karnataka, political friction surfaced within the Congress party after minister Satish Jarkiholi defended the Special Intensive Revision voter deletion of nearly one crore names as normal, contradicting the national stance of Rahul Gandhi and the AICC opposing the drive. In Kerala, the High Court granted protection from arrest to an additional district judge whose minor son was involved in a fatal luxury car crash in Kochi. Additionally, TVK functionary Christopher was arrested in Kanyakumari for allegedly harassing a college student.

Leaders from 21 opposition parties gathered at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence to formulate a strategy for holding a public impeachment proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The meeting included notable leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Derek O'Brien, and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, who is slated to preside over the proceedings. Mallikarjun Kharge will formally move the notice of impeachment, followed by speeches from various party representatives, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will deliver the concluding remarks. Parliamentarian John Brittas clarified that the event is designed as a representative impeachment rather than a mock parliament, prompted by the refusal of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker to accept their formal notice. The session will feature testimonies from civil society figures and individuals affected by the Special Intensive Revision process, culminating in a formal vote prior to the opposition's scheduled rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1st.