Rahul Gandhi Legitimising Anarchy, Attacking Indian Democracy: Press Conference
A political press conference criticised Rahul Gandhi and his ecosystem, stating that his objective is not democratic resistance but the appropriation and legitimisation of anarchy and a fight against the Indian state and democracy. The speaker asserted that people across India, from recent elections to student polls, have rejected this politics. Accusing the Congress and its associates of attempting to create mistrust in constitutional bodies, the briefing emphasised that bringing gatherings to Connaught Place does not represent the nation's will. It called upon citizens to reject anarchy, uphold the Constitution, and protect democratic institutions against attempts to destabilise them.
SC Hears SIR Roll Pleas: Opposition Demands CEC Removal, Jantar Mantar Ban Challenged
The Supreme Court has taken up petitions concerning the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission of India. A petition filed by Rahul Gandhi along with twelve INDIA bloc leaders, and another by AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, challenge decisions taken by the poll panel. The opposition is demanding full transparency regarding Election Commission records, disclosure of minutes of meetings and objections recorded by Election Commissioners, an interim suspension of the ongoing SIR exercise across states, an independent audit of digital portals ECINET and ERONET by a former Supreme Court judge, and the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Additionally, twenty-six other petitions have been filed addressing detentions, police conduct, road blockades, and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as an official protest site, which has also been contested in the Delhi High Court.
BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi Over AISA Chief Neha Bora's Remarks On Bangladesh Protests
A major political row has erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress following remarks made by All India Students' Association national president Neha Bora. In a video highlighted by the saffron party, Bora praised the Gen Z protesters in Bangladesh for demonstrating voter rights and democracy, describing their agitation as an inspiration. The BJP attacked Rahul Gandhi after Bora was seen alongside him and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during recent protest demonstrations, alleging that the opposition seeks to create a Bangladesh-like situation and bring anarchy into India. Meanwhile, in an interview excerpt with India Today, Bora responded to labels used by the ruling dispensation, stating that citizens are united because they have been branded as anti-nationals, Dimagi Naxals, and members of the Tukde Tukde gang. She asserted that the public represents the common people while the ruling party treats ordinary citizens as enemies.
SC Backs Madras HC Ruling, Rejects Plea on Quota for Hindu Converts to Islam
The Supreme Court has affirmed the Madras High Court judgment quashing a 2024 Tamil Nadu government order that extended backward class quota benefits to individuals converting from Hinduism to Islam. Rejecting the state government's appeal, the apex court observed that conversion to Islam does not by itself make an individual a member of any of the seven notified backward class Muslim communities in Tamil Nadu. The court held that pre-conversion social backwardness does not automatically translate into backward class status under a different religion without establishing necessary social and legal links. The 2024 state government notification had sought to allow members of backward classes, most backward classes, denotified castes, and Scheduled Castes who convert to Islam to claim quota benefits. While affirming the High Court's decision setting aside the order as unsustainable in law, the apex court's observations remain specific to the notified backward class Muslim communities of Tamil Nadu, with a detailed written judgment awaited.