Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar's spiritual visits have triggered criticism within Congress, leading to internal tensions. Shivakumar has reacted strongly to criticism over his "spiritual" pursuits from a section of the party and has said: "I am a born Hindu and I will die as a Hindu but I love and respect all religions."
Terrorists attacked a patrol vehicle of 9 J&K Rifles near Phul village in Rajouri district, Jammu. No casualties have been reported. Security forces, including the Army, police, and CRPF, are conducting search operations in the area to locate the terrorists. Recent security incidents in the Jammu region include an IED blast and ceasefire violations by Pakistani soldiers.
The first cases of avian influenza virus (H5N1) in domestic cats in India have been reported in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara. This raises concerns about the virus's potential to mutate and infect humans. Scientists identified a specific strain and noted 27 mutations in the infected cats. This occurrence calls for enhanced surveillance in poultry, wild birds, mammals, and humans, due to potential human-to-human transmission.
Goa has become the first state in India to issue QR codes for tourists with vehicles to streamline document checks and enhance their travel experience. Implemented through the Quick Pass mobile app, this initiative aims to reduce harassment and improve traffic compliance efficiency. The QR codes are valid for 12 hours.
In the aftermath of a language row in Belagavi, a girl retracted her sexual harassment complaint against a bus conductor under the Pocso Act. The incident sparked tensions between Kannada and Marathi speakers, leading to bus services suspension. Authorities are considering police deployment on buses to ensure safety and resume services.
The government aims to construct 10,000 km of national highways in 2025-26, marking the lowest target in seven years. This effort includes constructing 5,800 km of high-speed corridors. The plan also involves raising significant funds from highway project monetization and private investment while focusing on road safety and removing hazardous locations.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Halal Trust refuted the Centre's claim that it collects "lakhs of crores" through halal certification. The trust clarified that it never certified cement or iron bars and stated that their annual collection is around Rs 2.1 crore. Halal certification ensures products are free from animal components.
Prayagraj is hosting the Maha kumbh 2025, the largest human gathering event, with significant efforts on cleanliness and water quality improvement. Authorities have installed extensive sanitation facilities and launched public awareness campaigns. Key initiatives include sewage treatment, constructing new ghats, and monitoring sanitation through volunteers and mobile apps.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, received the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his contributions to UK-India business relations. The honor was presented at a ceremony in New Delhi by the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron.
Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Khanna presented an Rs 8.08 lakh crore revenue surplus budget, emphasizing infrastructure with proposed new expressways to enhance connectivity. Major allocations included Rs 1.06 lakh crore for education and Rs 61,070 crore for energy, aiming to boost development per the vision of PM Narendra Modi.
Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasizes India's firm communication to Pakistan since 2014 and highlights the nation's clear stance on J&K being an integral part of India post Article 370. He also expresses concern over a Pak Army-ISI delegation's visit to areas in Bangladesh near the Siliguri Corridor.
Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner, succeeding Rajiv Kumar. The decision was made by a panel including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent ministers. The appointment faced objections from the Congress party, demanding the meeting should have been deferred till the Supreme Court's final verdict on the selection panel.
Earlier in the day, Indian Railways gave an ex-gratia of rupees 10 lakh to the kin of all the 18 deceased. An amount of rupees 2.5 lakh to grievously injured passengers and a compensation of rupees 1 lakh for passengers with minor injury were distributed to the 15 injured during the day.
Girls from Haryana have excelled at the 38th National Rowing Championship in Tehri, Uttarakhand, winning multiple gold and silver medals. Despite practicing in suboptimal conditions, they have demonstrated remarkable ability. Kiran and Suman urge the Haryana government to arrange for water stoppage in their canal to facilitate further training.
PM Modi and President Trump reaffirmed the India-US partnership's importance in the Indo-Pacific region. They committed to tackling illegal immigration, organized crime, and cross-border terrorism. Discussions included market access issues, addressing Chinese industrial overcapacity, and strengthening strategic technology collaboration through initiatives like TRUST. They denounced terrorism and agreed on greater cooperation in West Asia and the Indian Ocean.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla formed a 31-member committee led by BJP's Baijayant Panda to review the Income Tax Bill. The panel includes Nishikant Dubey, Anil Baluni, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Supriya Sule. The committee will report by the next session, likely in July. The bill aims to simplify tax language and concepts.
Two soldiers, Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas, were killed in an IED blast while on patrol near the LoC. Both were set to marry in April, leaving their families mourning their tragic loss. The articles detail their planned celebrations turned into sorrowful events.
Tensions erupted in Hyderabad’s old city when meat was found inside the Lord Shiva Temple within the Hanuman Temple complex. Protests ensued, leading authorities to investigate. CCTV footage later revealed that a cat had brought the meat, quelling potential unrest after police clarified the situation.
About 220km from Kolkata, Ed Sheeran enjoyed a smooth scooter and boat ride in Murshidabad's Jiaganj with his friend Arijit Singh. They toured the area and spent five hours together. Despite limited security, their visit went off without a hitch. Sheeran is set to perform in Shillong on Feb 12, while Singh regularly stays in Jiaganj with his family.
India has strongly supported the Chabahar port project in Iran amid the Trump administration's threats to revoke sanctions waivers. The port is seen as crucial for regional connectivity, providing a trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, and has facilitated humanitarian efforts during the Covid pandemic.
Rajya Sabha saw a confrontation between Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge when a starred question about non-payment of dues by builders in Noida was withdrawn. BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpayee had asked for details about developers who owed dues and the measures taken against them.
Four girls at a government hostel in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad could face suspension for ordering pizza. The hostel, managed by the social justice department, issued a warning notice after discovering a pizza box. Authorities emphasized the rule against outside food to prevent poisoning incidents.
The US dispatched a C-17 military aircraft to India, carrying illegal Indian migrants for deportation. This rare move involved dozens of deportees, though their exact number remains unconfirmed. The flight arrives amidst PM Modi's upcoming US visit. India is set to accept and verify these Indian nationals. Military aircraft for deportation is significant given past practices.
The Rajasthan assembly witnessed chaos on Monday when parliamentary affairs minister Jogaram Patel used "unparliamentary" language during a discussion on crop damage. This led to a heated exchange with the opposition. After being called out by Congress leaders, Patel apologized, clarifying there was no intention to disrespect anyone. Speaker Vasudev Devnani urged members to maintain decorum, and the session continued with a debate on the governor’s address.
A miscreant, Ganisetti Gangadhar, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, trespassed into the house of former minister Mudragada Padmanabham with a tractor, causing damage and threatening him. The incident took place in Kakinada district. Police arrested the accused, and YSRCP leaders demanded Janasena chief's response, as the accused claimed Janasena membership.
Eight Maoists were killed in a confrontation with security forces in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Several weapons, including an Insas rifle and BGL, were recovered from the site. The operation involved multiple security units and was based on intelligence regarding Maoist presence in the area.
