UPDATED: Oct 16, 2026 21:35 IST
Actor and activist Prakash Raj addressed the escalating nationwide protests demanding accountability from the Election Commission of India and the central government. Defending the movement against accusations of inciting anarchy, he asserted, "We will do it democratically, regime change." Raj argued that the agitations, which expanded from initial student demonstrations over exam irregularities to broader questions regarding electoral integrity and Special Intensive Revision, now represent a collective citizen movement backed by civil society and farmer organisations like the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. Responding directly to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's public remarks, he maintained that seeking answers through democratic means, constitutional rights, and peaceful protest is the duty of citizens. Furthermore, Raj challenged the ruling government to address public allegations openly rather than suppressing dissenting voices, demanding immediate transparency regarding the electoral machinery.
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Prakash Raj: 'What Happened To Your Har Ghar Tiranga Nara?'
In an interview with India Today, actor and activist Prakash Raj strongly criticized the detention of protesters and the ban on the Tiranga march by the Delhi police. Questioning the central government, he asked, "What happened to your Har Ghar Tiranga Nara?" Prakash Raj asserted that the youth marching peacefully with the national flag are exercising their democratic rights and stated, "We are armed with the Constitution. We are armed with the right to protest." He condemned the use of police force, detentions, and prohibitory rules to prevent demonstrations, alleging that the administration is deploying technicalities to suppress dissent. Addressing claims regarding public inconvenience and traffic disruptions, he dismissed the arguments by pointing out official election rallies and road closures, insisting that streets belong equally to citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
Delhi Protests Intensify Over SIR Exercise as Opposition Clashes with BJP
The national capital is witnessing intense confrontations as protests over the Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar escalate between political factions and law enforcement. Police disrupted a planned Tiranga rally by the Cockroach Janata Party at Connaught Place's Central Park, taking founder Abhijit Dipke and student leader Neha Bora into preventive custody. Heavy police deployment barred demonstrators from accessing the venue after official permissions were denied. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh accused the opposition of attempting to incite anarchy and seize power under the pretext of election reforms. In response, the Congress maintained that it seeks a democratic regime change through elections, drawing historical parallels to past political movements. Amid ongoing political confrontation, Delhi trader associations approached the Supreme Court citing business losses due to continued street demonstrations, shifting the battle across the streets, courts, and Parliament.
Reliance Gears Up For Record Jio IPO, Targets 4.2 Lakh Staff & ₹30,200 Cr
Reliance Industries is preparing for what could become India's largest initial public offering as Jio Platforms looks to raise up to thirty thousand two hundred and thirteen crore rupees. The group has reached out across its nearly 4.2 lakh strong workforce to encourage investment, reportedly releasing October salaries fifteen days early and assessing if staff and their families hold Demat and trading accounts. Eligible Jio employees receive a reserved quota with a five per cent discount, while Reliance shareholders have a separate reservation. Priced between one thousand sixty-five and one thousand one hundred and nineteen rupees per share, the offering could value Jio Platforms at over ten lakh crore rupees. With anchor bids opening on October nineteenth and public subscriptions on October twenty-first, the debut also marks a pivotal leadership milestone for next-generation leaders Akash Ambani and Isha Ambani as the group seeks to become India's largest conglomerate by listed market capitalisation.
India First: Brijesh Kalappa, Tuhin Sinha & Dr. Vikram Singh Debate Protests
On India First, anchor Gaurav leads a fiery debate on the massive trade disruptions and economic fallout caused by protests in Delhi's Connaught Place during the festival season. Atul Bhargav, President of the New Delhi Traders Association, highlights daily business losses exceeding hundreds of crores. Brijesh Kalappa, Congress national spokesperson and senior advocate, defends the fundamental right to protest under Article 19 alongside Article 21, asserting: 'Protesters are also going likely to be customers... the government wants to stifle all protest. And in that process, they're also killing businesses.' In response, BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha accuses the opposition of pushing an 'obsessive compulsive protesting' and creating a reckless 'protest economy' aimed at browbeating judicial institutions. Former Uttar Pradesh DGP Dr. Vikram Singh criticizes agitators for targeting restricted zones and weaponizing public roads, questioning the credibility and motives behind the escalating demonstrations.