Tuesday, March 10
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed alarm to the Election Commission over two "disturbing" developments concerning the state's election machinery. She questioned the outsourcing of data entry work by the Chief Electoral Officer and the proposal to set up polling booths in private housing complexes, citing concerns about fairness and potential political influence.
The BJP has criticized Rahul Gandhi for his absence at the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the new Chief Justice of India. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged Gandhi's boycott showed disrespect to B.R. Ambedkar and the Constitution, suggesting a preference for 'parivaar tantra' over constitutional norms. The event saw the presence of top government dignitaries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu mourned the passing of veteran actor Dharmendra, hailing his "end of an era" contribution to Indian cinema. The 89-year-old actor, known as the 'He-Man of Bollywood', leaves behind a legacy of over 300 films and memorable performances.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) described the Tejas aircraft crash in Dubai, which resulted in the death of IAF pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal, as an "isolated occurrence caused by exceptional circumstances." The company assured that the incident has no impact on its business operations or future deliveries, while its shares experienced a significant drop before partially recovering.
Anti-pollution protests at India Gate turned chaotic with demonstrators using chilli spray on police and displaying pro-Maoist posters. Over 22 arrests were made. The BJP labelled the protesters 'urban Naxals' and 'professional agitators', while the AAP criticized the Delhi government's inaction on the severe air quality crisis.
India's coastal defence has been significantly bolstered with the commissioning of INS Mahe, the first of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, this indigenous vessel is designed for high-tempo ASW missions and coastal patrol in shallow waters, enhancing India's maritime security capabilities.
