The Times of India

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Pakistan's threat to strike Kolkata. She criticized the PM for targeting Bengal during rallies but not addressing the specific threat, demanding his resignation. Banerjee asserted that threats to the state would not be tolerated.

Congress is campaigning for Puducherry assembly elections with a strong focus on jobs and social security. The party promises Rs 2,000 monthly for unemployed youth and 30,000 new jobs. Free bus travel for women and Rs 20 lakh health insurance are also pledged. Full statehood for Puducherry remains a key promise.

Rahul Gandhi pledged full statehood for Puducherry if Congress forms the government, accusing the current administration of being remotely controlled by Delhi. He also outlined promises including monthly support for unemployed youth, job creation, free bus travel for women, relaxed government job age limits, and Rs 20 lakh healthcare insurance for every family.

Congress leader Pawan Khera has accused Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife of holding multiple foreign passports and having undisclosed overseas properties and shell companies. Sarma has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as politically motivated lies and announcing defamation lawsuits against Khera, vowing to hold him accountable.

The Congress has strongly criticized the Modi government's delimitation proposal, alleging it unfairly benefits larger, populous states and diminishes the political influence of southern and northeastern regions. Leaders claim the plan to increase Lok Sabha seats will widen existing disparities, calling it a Weapon of Mass Distraction amidst national crises.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has brought beef consumption into his election campaign, targeting Congress ally AJP's candidate Kunki Chowdhury. He accused her parents of eating beef and vowed action under the Cattle Prevention Act post-election. Sarma challenged Chowdhury to disown her parents' actions, emphasizing the religious sentiments of 'Sanatani' people and the sanctity of religious sites.

Election Commission teams have seized over Rs 650 crore in potential voter inducements across five poll-bound states, with West Bengal leading seizures at Rs 319 crore. Freebies, drugs, and cash formed the bulk of the confiscated items. This figure is on track to surpass last year's record of Rs 1,000 crore in seizures.

Odisha has banned the open sale of LPG cylinders to combat black marketing. Only customers who have completed e-KYC can now purchase them from authorized dealers. The government assures sufficient supply, with delivery timelines of 25 days for urban and 45 days for rural consumers. This move follows recent seizures of cylinders for illegal resale.

North-west India will experience two western disturbances this week. Peak activity is expected on April 7-8. This will bring below normal to near normal day temperatures and a wet spell to the region. Other parts of the country will also see wet spells with thunderstorms and lightning until April 9.

Prime Minister Modi criticized Bengal's law and order, citing the confinement of judicial officers in Malda as evidence of jungle raj. He linked electoral roll revision to identifying illegal settlers and accused the TMC of protecting infiltrators, while also questioning their manifesto's name and warning of accountability after the elections.

A 19-year-old married woman in Bhopal has been granted legal permission to live independently with a man of her choice. She testified to the Madhya Pradesh High Court that her much older husband mistreated her and she did not wish to return to her parents. The court placed her under the Shourya Didi framework for six months.

A nine-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising judges from diverse faiths and a woman, will hear crucial cases on women's rights versus religious practices starting April 7. This bench aims to settle long-standing disputes, including women's entry into temples, mosques, and Parsi fire temples, and the practice of FGM. The court's 2018 Sabarimala judgment sparked these broader legal challenges.

Estranged AAP MP Raghav Chadha strongly refuted allegations from the party's Punjab unit that he failed to raise state issues in Parliament. He asserted his commitment to Punjab, highlighting numerous issues he has addressed, including pending funds, agricultural distress, and the drug menace. Chadha dismissed the claims as baseless and motivated, vowing that truth and facts would prevail.

Transgender rights activists have filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026. The amendments remove self-perceived identity as the basis for TG certificates and introduce a medical board, moving away from the NALSA judgment's affirmation of personal dignity and choice.

Kashmir's prized saffron is under siege from an unexpected foe: the Indian crested porcupine. These nocturnal rodents are burrowing underground, destroying saffron corms and decimating harvests. Production has plummeted, threatening the livelihoods and identity tied to Pampore's ed gold. Authorities are assessing damage and proposing deterrents, but farmers fear the crisis will worsen without significant state intervention.

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk urged the Centre to restore democratic rights in Ladakh, advocating for a win-win approach in talks for statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Following his release from NSA detention, Wangchuk emphasized constructive dialogue, noting previous inconclusive discussions. He aims for a resolution to allow focus on nation-building.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi amid escalating Middle East tensions. The call, confirmed by the Iran Embassy in India, covered bilateral relations and regional developments. This follows Jaishankar's recent discussions with UAE and Qatar leaders, as Iran faces a US deadline over the Strait of Hormuz.

Far from being a PM Modi vs Rahul showdown, the 2026 elections are a test of regional resilience. Despite the visibility of the two national leaders on the campaign trail, neither is the decisive factor in these contests. Instead, the real battles are being fought by state satraps defending their turf or reclaiming relevance and the results will hinge on regional leadership, local alliances and governance records.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of bringing in paid supporters and hooliganism to influence elections, while also warning her party workers about potential EVM tampering. Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to cast ballots without fear, as Prime Minister Modi criticized the state's law and order.

On most days, India's economic heartbeat is invisible. It does not pulse through stock exchanges or policy corridors but across vast, restless waters where ships move quietly between continents. Yet, when conflict erupts in narrow choke points like the Strait of Hormuz, that invisible system becomes the countrys most visible vulnerability. The ongoing tensions have done exactly that, forcing India to confront a reality it has long managed but rarely foregrounded.

Tensions surge as Donald Trump issues a fierce warning to Iran amidst escalating regional strikes. Meanwhile, Assam's CM faces legal threats over passport allegations, and a suspected ISIS terror module is busted across multiple states. PM Modi champions women's reservation in Bengal, while Iran declares a 'bitter defeat' for the US after a rescue mission.

Authorities have busted a terror network allegedly linked to ISIS and foreign handlers, accused of radicalizing Indian youth online. Teams across multiple states apprehended suspects involved in spreading jihadi propaganda, including videos of extremist figures. The group reportedly aimed to establish an Islamic State in India, with links traced to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Bangladesh.

Congress leader P. Chidambaram criticized the Centre's decision to convene Parliament from April 16-18, just days before assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Rahul Gandhi attacked Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, labeling him the 'most corrupt and hate-spreading CM' and vowing to jail him. Gandhi also promised SC/ST status for six communities, higher tea worker wages, and monthly cash transfers for women if Congress forms the government in Assam.

Grieving families of the Air India flight crash victims have appealed to Prime Minister Modi for the release of black box data. Ten months after the tragedy that claimed 260 lives, they seek answers regarding the cause of the disaster. The families are demanding transparency, requesting either public disclosure or private sharing of the crucial cockpit and flight recorder information.

A parliamentary panel urged the government to ensure Census 2027 accurately counts all 21 disability categories, a significant upgrade from the 2011 census. This move aims to create a robust database for better policy formulation and welfare scheme targeting for persons with disabilities, moving beyond the current 1.35 crore UDID cards issued.

New research reveals men's heart disease risk escalates significantly by their mid-thirties, years before symptoms manifest. This divergence from women's risk patterns, even after accounting for lifestyle factors, highlights a critical need for earlier screening.

Three engineering students offered help to a drunk driver, but their gesture turned deadly. They allegedly killed the man to steal his car and phones, dumping his body to hinder identification. Police quickly apprehended the trio, who confessed to the crime.

Prime Minister Modi announced the women's reservation law will be implemented from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, urging women to pressure the opposition for unopposed passage. He refuted claims that southern states would lose seats due to population control, stating the government will increase Lok Sabha constituencies to accommodate the 33% quota for women.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced free LPG cylinders for Bihu and Durga Puja during a poll rally, promising one cylinder for each festival if the BJP returns to power. The announcement came amidst reports of long queues at gas distributors. The Congress criticized the move as a violation of the model code of conduct.

A drone appeared near West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's helicopter in Malda, prompting police to detain three individuals. Banerjee herself spotted the unauthorized drone, expressing concern over the potential crash risk. Authorities are investigating the incident, as no permission was granted for drone operation near the CM's movement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured southern states that their Lok Sabha seats would be protected, even as the total number of seats might increase nationally. He also criticized Kerala's LDF and UDF for alleged fake hostility and targeting the Sabarimala temple, promising action if NDA forms the government.

The government will increase gas supply to urea plants to approximately 90% of their average consumption from Monday, boosting productivity for upcoming crop seasons. This move, considering available inventory and scheduled LNG arrivals, will also enhance gas supply to other industrial and commercial sectors by 10%.

MLAs in the J&K Assembly demanded the handover of Rashid Ahmad Mughal's body for a dignified burial, disputing the Army's account of the Ganderbal encounter. They asserted the family's constitutional right to perform last rites, even as a magisterial inquiry is underway. Legislators also called for a judicial probe and a government statement on the incident.

Jammu and Kashmir's assembly has greenlit a bill to establish private universities, a move hailed as historic. Education Minister Sakeena Itoo stated this will significantly enhance higher education access for local students and bolster the region's economy by retaining talent. The legislation also aims to ensure quality and student protection within these new institutions.