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Politics / The Times of India

Weakening democracy? MEA's cutting response: 'Pakistan and democracy don't go together'

India's MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that democracy and Pakistan don't go together while monitoring developments. He also highlighted strong India-US counter-terrorism cooperation, with both nations pushing for tougher UN actions against Pakistan-based terror groups like LeT and JeM.

8 Dec 2025 6:31 pm
'Assure Indians will not be selectively targeted': MEA's strong message to China; issues travel advice

India's Ministry of External Affairs has urged Chinese authorities to ensure fair treatment for Indian travelers transiting through their airports. This statement follows reports of alleged harassment of an Arunachal Pradesh woman, prompting an advisory for Indian nationals to exercise caution when traveling to or through China.

8 Dec 2025 5:54 pm
Evening news wrap: PM Modi's attack on Nehru over Vande Mataram; IndiGo crisis continues; and more

Political fireworks erupted over Vande Mataram as PM Modi and Congress leaders clashed, highlighting the centrality of historical narratives. Meanwhile, IndiGo's ongoing flight cancellations and substantial refunds continued to impact passengers and the aviation sector. Markets adopted a cautious stance amid global uncertainties, while cricketer Smriti Mandhana refocuses on her career after personal plans shifted.

8 Dec 2025 5:43 pm
Toll taking big toll: AAP MP Raghav Chadha calls it 'legalised loot'; makes key demands in Rajya Sabha

AAP MP Raghav Chadha has strongly criticized toll plazas in India. He highlighted that commuters face heavy taxes, bad roads, and long waits despite paying multiple charges. Chadha described this situation as 'legalised loot'. He urged the government to review toll norms and suggested free passage if waits exceed five minutes.

8 Dec 2025 4:17 pm
Rewriting history: Gaurav Gogoi hits out at PM Modi for giving political colour to Vande Mataram discussion; adds Congress upheld songs legacy

Congress criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly rewriting history and politicizing the Lok Sabha debate on 'Vande Mataram'. Deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi accused the PM of repeatedly mentioning Nehru and Congress to revise historical contributions. Gogoi asserted Congress's pivotal role in elevating 'Vande Mataram' to national song status, highlighting its adoption at party sessions.

8 Dec 2025 3:44 pm
'Very, very strict action': Aviation minister vows to 'set an example' after IndiGo fiasco; what he said in Rajya Sabha

Aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu has vowed very, very strict action against IndiGo for its recent flight disruptions, citing internal lapses in crew management and roster planning. He clarified the issue is unrelated to past system malfunctions, emphasizing that the airline's mismanagement caused the crisis. Naidu stressed that accountability is paramount, promising to set an industry example.

8 Dec 2025 3:30 pm
Ahmedabad Air India crash: Lawyer representing victims says 130 families signed on; probe ongoing

In the aftermath of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, families of the victims are actively seeking answers, with their legal team investigating potential electrical failures and the peculiar behavior of cockpit lights.

8 Dec 2025 3:02 pm
'Bowed to Muslim League': PM Modi's sharp attack on Nehru over Vande Mataram; takes 'MMC' dig at Congress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi fiercely attacked the Congress in Lok Sabha, accusing the party of compromising on the national song 'Vande Mataram' from the freedom movement to post-Independence. He criticized Jawaharlal Nehru's handling of opposition to the song, stating the Congress fragmented it and owed to the Muslim League, ultimately leading to the country's partition.

8 Dec 2025 2:41 pm
'Ab party ki kamaan sambhale Nishant': Nitish Kumars son stepping in? Posters spark speculation

Posters advocating for Nishant Kumar, son of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, to take party leadership have surfaced outside the JD(U) office. This follows the NDA's significant victory in the recent assembly elections. While Nishant has remained largely out of the public eye, unlike political scions Tejashwi Yadav and Chirag Paswan, his father secured a tenth term as Chief Minister.

8 Dec 2025 1:30 pm
'This is a disaster': Mamata Banerjee targets BJP over IndiGo fiasco; cites passenger agony

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has slammed the Centre over IndiGo's ongoing flight crisis, calling it a disaster that has left thousands of passengers stranded. With hundreds of flights cancelled daily, the airline faces scrutiny from regulators and the judiciary. The Delhi High Court is set to hear a plea regarding the inhumane airport situation.

8 Dec 2025 1:12 pm
'Vande Matram resisted push to impose British anthem': PM Modi hails Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Lok Sabha - top quotes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated a special 10-hour debate in the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The song, adopted as India's National Song, is being discussed in both Houses this week. Modi highlighted historical parallels, linking the song's milestones to national challenges like British rule and the Emergency.

8 Dec 2025 12:21 pm
'Remain alert': UP CM Yogi Adityanath's warning to public against 'infiltrators'; asks people to 'verify identity'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has warned of strict action against Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators in the state. He urged residents to verify identities before employing individuals, as authorities launch an operation to identify and act against foreign nationals suspected of residing and working illegally using forged documents.

8 Dec 2025 8:04 am
Uttar Pradesh: FIR against SI, constable over cop's suicide

A constable's death in Aligarh has led to an abetment to suicide case against two officers. Her brother alleges sub-inspector Sandeep Kumar and constable Kulveer Balyan mentally tormented her. The deceased had previously discussed marriage with Kumar, and Balyan reportedly harassed her after learning of this past connection, pushing her to suicide.

8 Dec 2025 4:55 am
Dessert storm: Mithai marauders strike sweet shop 10 times in 9 years

A Nadiad confectionery has been repeatedly targeted by burglars, experiencing 10 break-ins in nine years. Thieves have stolen significant quantities of sweets, often in addition to cash. Despite owner Mukesh Pandit's efforts, including installing CCTVs, the burglaries continue, particularly during VVIP visits and festivals when police presence is reduced.

8 Dec 2025 4:20 am
Goa nightclub fire tragedy: NCR family vacay ends in grief; woman loses husband, 3 sisters

A family's Goan holiday turned tragic when a fire engulfed a nightclub, claiming four lives. Bhavana Joshi miraculously survived after her husband pushed her to safety before re-entering the inferno to save his sisters-in-law. The devastating incident left her the sole survivor, facing the grim task of informing their children of their parents' and aunts' untimely deaths.

8 Dec 2025 3:38 am
DTC driver beaten to death after jam due to wedding triggers spat

A DTC bus driver was beaten to death by wedding guests in Delhi after a road rage incident. The driver, Vikas, was allegedly assaulted when his bus got stuck behind a marriage procession. One suspect has been arrested, while three others remain at large.

8 Dec 2025 3:32 am
Goa inferno: 'Island' club with narrow path leading to it made firefighting a challenge

A devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, claimed 25 lives, exposing severe infrastructure flaws. Built on a salt pan with limited access and inadequate safety measures, the venue's design, including a poorly ventilated basement and a single operational exit on the first floor, hampered rescue efforts. Investigations are underway into the club's safety protocols.

8 Dec 2025 2:46 am
Goa tragedy: No fire clearance for club, violated building norms too

A devastating fire at The Birch by Romeo Lane was attributed to critical failures in fire prevention, regulatory compliance, and life safety preparedness by club owners. The establishment lacked a construction license and a fire department NOC, with zero fire safety measures in place. Obstructed exits and hazardous external firework activities exacerbated the tragedy, trapping victims.

8 Dec 2025 2:34 am
IIT-Bombay steps into future with its own AI firm

IIT Bombay has incorporated BharatGen Technology Foundation, a company dedicated to building a Large Language Model reflecting India's diversity. This national sovereign AI effort, backed by significant government funding, aims to develop AI that understands over 22 Indian languages and provides accessible models for developers and enterprises.

8 Dec 2025 2:24 am
Congress MP Manish Tewari brings bill in Lok Sabha seeking to let MPs take their own voting line

Congress MP Manish Tewari has introduced a private member's bill in Lok Sabha to amend the anti-defection law. The proposed changes aim to allow MPs to vote independently on most bills and motions, except those affecting government stability. This move seeks to free parliamentarians from party whips and promote better lawmaking.

8 Dec 2025 2:14 am
Ladakh to Arunachal, Rajnath Singh inaugurates 125 border projects

Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 125 border infrastructure projects, including the Shyok tunnel in Ladakh, at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore. These projects will enhance troop mobility, boost tourism and employment, and strengthen faith in democracy in remote regions. Singh highlighted their importance for security, economy, and disaster management, emphasizing connectivity as a backbone of national security.

8 Dec 2025 1:38 am
8 Dec 2025 1:26 am
'Vande Mataram' discussion in Parliament today, sparks set to fly

PM Modi to initiate debate in Lok Sabha, Amit Shah to be the main BJP speaker in Rajya Sabha

8 Dec 2025 12:47 am
Thermal maps for daily choices: SatLeo tests street-level heat intelligence in Karnataka

SatLeo Labs is developing thermal mapping technology using satellite and drone data to provide hyper-local temperature insights. This innovation aims to optimize urban planning, manage outdoor labor conditions, and detect environmental hazards like methane leaks, ultimately making cities cooler and safer for residents and workers.

8 Dec 2025 12:35 am
Chinese national quizzed for visiting Kashmir without permission

A 29-year-old Chinese tourist faced questioning in Budgam, Kashmir, for unauthorized travel to J&K and Ladakh, violating his visa. He claimed to have visited Zanskar and expressed interest in books about Kashmir. The man, who arrived in Delhi on November 19, flew to Leh without registering, potentially facing deportation.

8 Dec 2025 12:25 am
New rules to make drunk-driving checks more reliable from April

Starting April, breath analysers will adhere to new consumer affairs department norms, mandating enhanced accuracy and a built-in printer. These updated devices will display only the final BAC result, ensuring verifiable records and reducing misinterpretation. The measures aim to boost public trust in enforcement and improve the efficiency of drunk driving checks.

8 Dec 2025 12:14 am
Indigo cancellations: Airline to conduct 'root cause analysyis'; official says disruptions stemmed from multiple factors

IndiGo is investigating the underlying issues behind recent flight delays and has determined that various factors are at play, excluding pilot shortages. While they're working towards stabilising their operations, they anticipate a return to full operational capacity by December 10.

7 Dec 2025 9:05 pm
'Rushed out to see entire structure in flames': Eyewitnesses recall Goa night club inferno horror what they said

A devastating fire at a North Goa nightclub claimed at least 25 lives shortly after midnight Sunday. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with flames erupting rapidly and a stampede-like situation. The temporary structure, reportedly made of palm leaves, fueled the blaze. Investigations are underway, with arrests made and owners sought.

7 Dec 2025 9:00 pm
Who is Saurabh Luthra? Award-winning restaurateur; main accused in Goa nightclub fire

A tragic inferno engulfed a nightclub in North Goa, resulting in 25 fatalities and injuring six individuals. This calamity has ignited public outrage, as suspicions of safety violations and unauthorized operations come to light. Witnesses suggest the fire may have been sparked by celebratory fireworks, leading to the arrest of the club's owners, management, and local authorities.

7 Dec 2025 7:33 pm
Undoing Macaulay? Inside Indias decolonisation push towards Bharat

India is actively pursuing a decolonisation agenda, moving beyond English's historical dominance. This initiative, championed by PM Modi, aims to revive indigenous knowledge systems and promote regional languages in education and governance. While fostering national pride, concerns remain about potential Hindi imposition over linguistic diversity, sparking a crucial national dialogue.

7 Dec 2025 4:57 pm
'27-year backlog': CM Rekha Gupta blames past govts for Delhi pollution; slams protestors

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta stated that tackling the city's pollution crisis will require 27 months, blaming previous governments for inaction. Her comments followed protests demanding urgent measures against an air emergency.

7 Dec 2025 4:42 pm
Arvind Kejriwal to embark on three-day visit to Gujarat today

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal will embark on a three-day visit to Gujarat today, where he is scheduled to participate in multiple programs across the state.

7 Dec 2025 4:40 pm
IndiGo turmoil: Centre slams Rahul Gandhi's 'monopoly model' remark; claims govt promotes competition

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu countered Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the IndiGo crisis, asserting the government champions aviation competition to welcome new airlines and expand fleets. He highlighted recent legislation to reduce aircraft leasing costs, emphasizing the issue's public, not political, nature. Gandhi had blamed the government's 'monopoly model' for passenger woes.

7 Dec 2025 1:02 pm
India records highest ever non fossil capacity addition in current financial year

In a remarkable stride towards sustainability, India has unveiled a staggering 31.25 GW of non-fossil energy capacity this fiscal year, with solar energy spearheading the revolution. Over the past eleven years, the solar sector has experienced an unprecedented surge of 4,500%, positioning India as a crucial contender in the global clean energy landscape.

7 Dec 2025 11:06 am
Revival of abandoned coal mines begins

India is launching an ambitious revival plan for 28 deserted coal mines, successfully reopening two of them already. Paired with the auction of 133 additional mines, these efforts are set to dramatically enhance coal output, crucial for meeting increased energy needs.

7 Dec 2025 10:56 am
Matchless contribution: Nitish Kumar enters World Book of Records - here is why

Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, has received a prestigious accolade from the World Book of Records, London, acknowledging his exemplary political service and dedication to democracy. This achievement marks his historic tenth oath-taking as Chief Minister, a milestone that underscores both his resilience in governance and the confidence bestowed upon him by the citizens of Bihar.

7 Dec 2025 10:51 am
Goa nightclub fire: Four tourists among 25 killed; were trapped along with staff in kitchen

A devastating fire at a North Goa nightclub has claimed 25 lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members. Six others were injured and are receiving medical attention. Initial investigations suggest the venue may have violated fire safety regulations. Authorities are conducting a thorough inquiry to determine the exact cause and ensure strict legal action against those responsible for this tragic incident.

7 Dec 2025 10:23 am