Nivedita

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut retracted her recent comments advocating for the reinstatement of the three farm laws, clarifying that her views were personal and did not reflect the party's stance. In a video statement, she expressed regret for any disappointment her remarks caused, stating, "I must remember that now I am not only an artiste but also a member of the BJP." The Himachal Pradesh BJP distanced itself from her statements, while the Congress party alleged the ruling government was attempting to revive the laws ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. The BJP has since instructed Ranaut to align her statements with party policy in the future.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for severe thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Palghar, and Satara. Gusty winds of 40-50 km/h are expected, prompting safety warnings for residents. Flight operations at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have been disrupted, with multiple go-arounds and diversions reported. Additionally, heavy rain has caused significant delays on the suburban train network, leading to cancellations and overcrowding at stations. In response, all schools and colleges in Mumbai will remain closed on Thursday.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren sharply criticized the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a virtual rally, likening the RSS to "rats" and accusing both of undermining communal harmony for electoral gain. Soren alleged that the BJP was sowing discord between Hindu and Muslim communities, warning against provocations that could escalate tensions. He described the BJP as a party of "traders and industrialists," referring to recent defections and urging critics to examine demographic data from neighboring West Bengal instead of accepting the BJP's claims.

In a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena proposed linking vehicle insurance premiums to the number of traffic violations recorded against each vehicle. Highlighting alarming statistics from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which reported over 437,000 road accidents in 2022 and around 155,000 fatalities, Saxena emphasized the need for a tiered insurance system. He noted that vehicles with multiple violations have a 40% higher risk of fatal accidents and urged discussions with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India to implement this framework. Saxena argued that such a system would promote responsible driving, reduce road accidents, and better manage insurance claims.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, addressed the recent controversial comments made by Karnataka HC Judge V. Srishananda, who referred to a Bengaluru locality as "Pakistan." CJI Chandrachud emphasized that such remarks undermine the country's territorial integrity, stating, "We can't call any part of the territory of India as Pakistan."