VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html In 2021, scientists threw 1,500 Christmas trees into a lake; three years later, they had completely transformed the ecosystem In 2010, a rubber hose persuaded a retired athlete to found a footwear firm; 16 years on, it’s a multi-billion-dollar company that Kylian Mbappé signed with J&K deputy CM comments came a day after BJP MLAs, led by Sham Lal Sharma, demanded the immediate dismissal of the National Conference-led government. NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary hit out at the BJP over its demand for the dismissal of the Omar Abdullah-led government, saying any attempt to interfere with an elected government would amount to an assault on democracy and the Constitution.Choudhary made the remarks after reviewing the progress of ongoing work at the new legislative assembly complex in Jammu. His comments came a day after BJP MLAs, led by Sham Lal Sharma, demanded the immediate dismissal of the National Conference-led government. Watch Omar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarQuestioning the BJP’s demand, Choudhary said the government had been elected by the people and asked what right the BJP had to seek its removal.”If anyone can dissolve us, it is only those who elected us,” Choudhary told reporters.He was responding to the BJP’s criticism of the government after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution in the assembly demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.BJP accuses government of overstepping constitutional domainSharma had accused the National Conference government of attempting to revive an earlier political arrangement and challenge the constitutional framework.He alleged that the assembly resolution on statehood and related issues sought to revive matters linked to autonomy and the pre-1953 constitutional arrangement.Reacting to the demand for the government’s dismissal, Choudhary said, “…this means you want to resort to hooliganism and use force and coercion. That is exactly what we have been saying — that the BJP resorts to such tactics.”He added that any attempt by the BJP to interfere with the functioning of the Jammu and Kashmir government or “block our freedom would amount to an assault on democracy and the Constitution”.Choudhary also accused the BJP of being “anti-democracy, anti-constitutional and anti-public”, alleging that its actions and statements were against the interests of the people.”When you oppose a government elected by the people, you are going against those who voted for it,” he said, adding that such conduct amounted to “treason”.Deputy CM attacks BJP over assembly proceedingsChoudhary also criticised the BJP’s conduct during the ongoing autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.He said the government wanted to focus on its work, while accusing the opposition party of prioritising political confrontation.”They kept saying, we will corner them. But what did they actually corner? Instead, they themselves ended up in trouble after coming to the assembly,” he said.Choudhary challenged the BJP to explain what it had done during the first three days of the session for the people.”If the BJP is honest, let it tell us what work it has done in the last three days of the assembly session in the interest of the people,” he said, accusing the party of carrying “bundles of lies”.He alleged that the BJP had attempted to corner the government on social media but had failed to do so on the floor of the House, where issues could be debated through the constitutional process.Statehood restoration remains key issueOn the demand for restoration of statehood, Choudhary said the absence of statehood had weakened the ability of ordinary people to have their grievances addressed.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe also accused the BJP of using police action against sections of society, including poor people, shopkeepers and journalists. He alleged that shops had been demolished and journalists who sought to publish reports critical of the government had faced pressure.”If statehood is restored, I can say with confidence that these things will not continue,” he said.Choudhary further alleged that journalists, employees, farmers and students were being prevented from speaking freely.”If it were up to the BJP, they would impose Army rule across the entire country,” he said, while alleging that the party’s approach amounted to “hooliganism”.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVijaya SrivastavaVijaya Srivastava is a journalist and feature writer whose expertise lies in covering human-centred developments. Her stories explore how policy, technology, economic shifts and social change influence people’s everyday lives. Her work also focuses on bringing depth, context and a human perspective to complex issues. Her reports primarily cover society, healthcare, safety, public policy and emerging trends, alongside other political developments.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | WatchTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 26, 2026, 14:23 IST Why FIIs may not return to Indian stocks even after AI boom fades Motivational quote of the day by Harrison Ford: ‘What I think is important for a young person is to figure out how to be useful and not be so concentrated on themselves,’ a powerful life lesson on teamwork and finding your own path Egg Carton Crafts: DIY: Don’t throw away old egg cartons turn them into cute mini witch hats for your fall table décor Meet Sophie Kim, the California teen who turned an online climate-anxiety group into a youth nonprofit with 700+ members in 30+ countries and won a $10,000 national young hero prize CNN barred from Trump’s Air Force One trip to Tennessee despite court order restoring White House access | World News Mamata’s TMC rollercoaster: 3 days, 3 setbacks, then a breather NEW DELHI: Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that she was being prevented from reaching the venue of her rally in Serampore, Hooghly district.She also claimed that leaders of her faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had been placed under house arrest to prevent them from attending the rally. Watch ‘I Can’t Contest’…Mamata Banerjee’s TMC Faces Bypoll Setback As Two Candidates Withdraw | Watch“We have been kept under house arrest. I am not allowed to go to the venue of the rally. But I will go and address the rally. Stop me if you can,” PTI quoted Mamata Banerjee as saying.She alleged that “BJP goons” had taken control of the route to the rally venue and that there was no police presence.However, the former chief minister asserted that the programme would go ahead as it had been permitted by a court.“The rally is being held with the permission of the court. It is the duty of the police and the administration to ensure its smooth functioning. But the police have turned a blind eye,” she added.Mamata Banerjee also accused the ruling BJP of “unleashing terror” on the streets of West Bengal.“Such atrocities are seen in African countries. Such atrocities are not even happening in UP and Bihar, which are also BJP-ruled. Then why has the ruling BJP unleashed so much terror on the streets?” she askedJoin conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHer remarks came after the TMC’s Mamata faction alleged that its leaders and workers were targeted while travelling to the Serampore rally.According to party sources, a group carrying black flags surrounded MLA Kunal Ghosh’s car in Uttarpara, Hooghly district, as he travelled to the venue. The group allegedly raised slogans and hurled eggs and stones at the vehicle.Also Read | Watch: Eggs hurled, car window smashed as Kunal Ghosh heads to Mamata rallySince the TMC was voted out in the April assembly elections, ending its 15-year rule in West Bengal and paving the way for the BJP to form its first government in the state, several leaders of Mamata Banerjee’s faction have faced attacks.It has repeatedly accused BJP supporters of being behind such incidents, while the saffron party has rejected the accusations.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSkyStriker, HIMARS, Apache: India, US Showcase Firepower At Yudh Abhyas 2026 | WatchTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 26, 2026, 15:36 IST ‘Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha’: Vanar spotted wearing spectacles in viral poster, leaving netizens amused and asking ‘Treta yug me bhi chashma lagate the?’ His grandfather was a Chambal ‘baaghi’: Meet Dev Prabhakar Singh Tomar who left a high-paying job in the Netherlands and secured UPSC Rank 629 ‘Mobilizing myth’: Why is Russia sending dead princes, saints into Ukraine battle Updated: Sep 26, 2026, 15:44 IST ‘Nobody can ever be a homebreaker in an already broken house’: Did Komal Rani Swarnkar drop a cryptic dig at Govinda’s wife Ssunita Ahuja amid her ‘ghar toot raha hai’ remark? 5 simple ways to create a peaceful energy at home ‘No longer trust Washington’: Iran draws red line on peace talks with US Samples have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination NEW DELHI: At least 19 people have died in Nagaland after allegedly consuming spurious liquor, prompting police to launch an investigation into the suspected supply of adulterated alcohol in the state, where prohibition has been in force since 1990.Police said eight deaths were reported in Mokokchung district and 11 in Tuensang over the past two days. An SIT headed by Additional Superintendent of Police I Bunglang Chang has been formed to investigate the deaths and trace the source and supply chain of the suspected illicit liquor, Senior Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said on Saturday.Samples have been sent to Guwahati for forensic examination to determine the cause of the deaths. Police have also conducted several raids, arrested 19 people and seized nearly 3,000 bottles of liquor.Authorities urged people to avoid unidentified or unlabelled alcohol and seek immediate medical attention if they experience dizziness, blurred vision, breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness after drinking.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Updated: Sep 26, 2026, 15:31 IST ‘The Paradise’ box office collection day 3 [LIVE]: Nani’s film shows steady growth on Saturday, nears Rs 80 crore India gross Watch: Indian diplomat’s reaction to Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech goes viral INDIA bloc parties likely to meet over EC row (PTI) NEW DELHI: Opposition INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns over the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, besides other issues, sources said.The proposed meeting comes amid increased coordination among opposition parties over the Election Commission following reports of differences within the poll panel over aspects of the SIR exercise.The parties have been in touch with each other on the issue and are discussing a joint response, sources added.The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and an immediate halt to the SIR, while the Congress has also stepped up its attack on Kumar.The Congress Working Committee is scheduled to meet on September 29 to discuss its strategy on the issue.The developments have also brought West Bengal’s bitter political rivals, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and the CPI(M), on the same page on the Election Commission issue.CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby wrote to the INDIA bloc and other opposition leaders seeking a meeting over the developments, and subsequently spoke to Banerjee, who agreed the situation warranted coordinated action.Opposition parties are working on a fresh removal notice against CEC Kumar, which is likely to be submitted in both Houses of Parliament after being vetted by legal experts. It would be the third such attempt by the opposition.The opposition’s latest mobilisation follows an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections on several occasions over decisions and orders regarding the SIR.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and asserted that its orders have full legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.Earlier, 23 political parties and an Independent MP jointly approached the Chief Justice of India over the SIR process and other election-related issues, underlining the broader opposition coordination on the issue.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court ‘Panchayat’ Season 5: Anurag Saikia hints at what’s next for Jitendra Kumar’s Phulera journey, says makers are exploring ‘new sounds while keeping the show’s soul intact’ He left studies after Class 12, suffered 1992 stock market scam; now Dinesh Thakkar owns an entire ₹711 crore Juhu tower in Mumbai Bigg Boss 20: Manoj Tiwari’s daughter Rhiti breaks down recalling parents’ divorce, custody battle: ‘Dad Ko bahot time tak umeed thi…’ | Eggs thrown at TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh’s car in Hooghly NEW DELHI: TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh’s car was pelted with eggs on Saturday while he was travelling to Serampore in Hooghly to attend a political rally addressed by former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.The incident took place in the Uttarpara area, where a group of people carrying black flags surrounded Ghosh’s vehicle and shouted the slogan “go black”, a party leader said.The group pelted the TMC legislator’s car with eggs and stones, breaking its rear windshield.Reacting to the incident, Ghosh said, “This is jungle raj. They attacked my car with stones and eggs and blocked the road. No police personnel were present there. I am now returning to Kolkata and will go straight to Lal Bazaar or Bhawani Bhawan to lodge a complaint.”TMC leaders alleged that the incident was the “handiwork of the BJP”.Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to address the public meeting later on Saturday.The rally at Serampore Court grounds had earlier faced legal hurdles before the Calcutta high court allowed the meeting, subject to conditions including a cap on attendance and police security arrangements.The incident comes amid a political standoff between the Trinamool Congress and police in Serampore ahead of the meeting. Police arrested two Trinamool volunteers, Sudip Acharya and Nur Islam, on Thursday in connection with extortion cases.A day before the rally, the TMC claimed that police had rounded up more than 150 party workers, including women, across the district. Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee condemned the action. “Police have started a massive action against our workers and have rounded up more than 150 of them, including women. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDespite this, a large number of people remain interested in attending Didi’s meeting,” he said.Following a meeting with local police officials on Friday, Asit Mazumdar, convener of Serampore district TMC, accused the police of disrupting party operations. “We submitted all required documents to comply with the HC order, but police started massive arrests, forcing most of our workers to flee,” Mazumdar said, questioning the justification behind targeting the event’s volunteers.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAadrita HalderWrites on social matters, geopolitics, and trending issues for the Times of India.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Ram Charan’s wrist cast and rods removed after ‘Peddi’ injury, actor to undergo 8 to 10 weeks of intensive physiotherapy Exclusive – Rise and Fall 2: Swara Bhasker makes bold statement on body-shaming by wearing a saree with a ‘moti’ text: ‘Motherhood changes…’ | NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday took a jibe at Mamata Banerjee’s reported outreach to the CPM amid the ongoing row over the Election Commission, saying the former chief minister was trying to find a role in the opposition INDIA bloc after losing power in the state.Speaking to reporters, West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh said CPM leaders had earlier tried to reach out to Mamata, but she had never spoken to them. He said the political equations had now changed.”Earlier, when they would call Mamata Banerjee, she never spoke to them. Now the situation is reversed. She seems to be approaching them or expecting a call from them,” the West Bengal minister said.”As she has no role here, she is trying to play a role somewhere else,” he added.The ongoing row over the Election Commission has brought West Bengal’s bitter political rivals, the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and the CPM, on the same page.CPM general secretary M A Baby spoke to Mamata, who agreed that the situation warranted coordinated action.Meanwhile, INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns over the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, besides other issues, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.The proposed meeting comes amid increased coordination among opposition parties over the Election Commission, following reports of differences within the poll panel over aspects of the SIR exercise.Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal notice against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, which is likely to be submitted in both Houses of Parliament after being vetted by legal experts. It would be the third such attempt by the opposition.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe latest mobilisation follows an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on several occasions over decisions and orders related to the SIR.The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations and asserted that its orders have full legal sanction and follow statutory procedures.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 26, 2026, 14:30 IST ‘It’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India’: Virat Kohli vows to give everything ‘One time watch’: Anjali Anand reveals what her mom really thought of ‘Dhamaal 4’, her verdict on daughter’s performance leaves Farah Khan in splits Bengaluru Work Culture: ‘I miss Bangalore’: Woman’s Bengaluru vs Gurgaon work culture comparison sparks debate online India takes next step to develop the next generation of space age rail guns Nagarjuna is India’s second richest actor with Rs 5,000 crore wealth, while Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh and Ram Charan also feature in top 10 Scientists excluded elephants from East African savanna plots for 15 years; dung beetle numbers fell 67%, biomass dropped 51% and species richness declined 23%, revealing how elephants sustain an insect network Nag Ashwin breaks silence on ‘Kalki 2’ timeline starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan as regular filming begins in October: ‘Hopefully, we will wrap the entire shoot by mid-next year’ Turn empty wine bottles into elegant lamps for your living room Russia to launch drone strike on Europe? CIA warns of ‘potential’ threat “Just get up and walk out”: Elon Musk’s unusual meeting rule for Tesla employees and why he called staying when you add no value ‘rude’ Kumaraswamy said there was a need to distinguish between reports appearing in the media and the actual situation inside the EC NEW DELHI: Union minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday called on the Election Commission EC to clarify amid the continuing row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Kumaraswamy said the responsibility for addressing reports of internal differences lay with the Election Commission itself and that the country needed to know what was actually happening within the constitutional body.“It is not the question of demands by any party or any leader. The responsibility of the Election Commission, that is important. What is the ground reality? What is going on inside the Election Commission?” Kumaraswamy said.His remarks came a day after three NDA allies Chirag Paswan’s LJP(RV), Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM and Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP separately urged the Election Commission to address concerns surrounding the SIR exercise and reports of differences within the poll panel.Kumaraswamy said there was a need to distinguish between reports appearing in the media and the actual situation inside the ECI.“The difference between what we are watching in the media and what is the real fact has to come out by these members. Because this is an important organisation, an autonomous body; why has it happened? That reality they must tell the media and the country. Their responsibility is greater. It is not an easy thing. Those three Election Commission members, including the chairman, what is the problem between them? What is the fault in that? Anything is there, they have to spell it,” he said.The issue gained traction after The Indian Express reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded 14 written dissents or objections over a 10-month period. The reports have prompted opposition demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and calls to halt the SIR process.The ECI has maintained that differing views, internal notes and queries are part of its institutional functioning and said its final decisions on the SIR were unanimous. What NDA allies saidLJP(RV) chief and Union minister Chirag Paswan on Friday said he did not intend to “defend what is a constitutional body” but argued that the Election Commission should address public concerns directly.“If questions are being raised about its conduct, it is the responsibility of EC, especially the chief election commissioner (Gyanesh Kumar), to present its side firmly,” Paswan said.He added: “If people start losing trust in the electoral system, that will not augur well for democracy and, therefore, I think the EC must come out with its clarification more forcefully. It need not respond to what Rahul Gandhi and his associates are saying. But it must dispel misgivings in the minds of the people.”RLM president Upendra Kushwaha also called for an immediate clarification, writing on social media, “There is considerable confusion among the public regarding the controversy surrounding SIR. This issue needs to be addressed. The EC should immediately clarify the situation to dispel this confusion.”The TDP too sought greater transparency. TDP parliamentary party neta Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said, “The EC is a constitutional institution entrusted with a crucial responsibility in our democracy. Therefore, whenever questions are raised by anyone, providing appropriate clarification and maintaining transparency will only help strengthen public confidence in the institution.”Opposition raises allegationsMeanwhile, Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari criticised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise and alleged that names had been removed from electoral rolls.Speaking to ANI, Ansari alleged that the ECI had acted in a manner that benefited the BJP and questioned whether the poll panel would work according to the directions of a political party. The allegations were not independently established in his remarks.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“I want to ask the citizens of the country, and I even want to ask the BJP voters: Names have been removed from the voter list; your name might have been removed too,” Ansari said.He also alleged that names of Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis had been deleted from voter lists and demanded that elections in Bihar be held again.“The Commission is an independent, neutral body. No political party should interfere with it,” he said, while alleging that Kumar had interfered and helped the BJP.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorVivek DubeyA digital news desk journalist at The Times of India with over two years of experience. Closely tracks foreign affairs and international politics. Fondness for precise language and clever headlines. When not editing news, he is usually refining a turn of phrase.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Chiranjeevi says Jason Sanjay ‘reminded me of his father Vijay during 1993-94’ at ‘Sigma’ event, backs his directorial debut and says ‘I wish Jason Sanjay also achieves his goals as a director’ World Tourism Day 2026: AI can plan your holiday, but can it understand the soul of a place? | Sean Connery’s former French Riviera ‘James Bond House’ was extensively renovated and once tried the market at €30 million; the six-level Nice villa’s asking price was cut to €18.5 million in May 2026 Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties of Rs 10 lakh NEW DELHI: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalties of Rs 10 lakh each on Amazon and Flipkart, and Rs 5 lakh on JioMart, for selling and advertising an unregistered agrochemical product, Cyclosinone Herbicide.Cyclosinone Herbicide is marketed as a granular weed-control product used to prevent and eliminate broadleaf and grassy weeds in lawns, gardens and agricultural fields.In separate orders issued recently, the consumer watchdog directed the e-commerce marketplaces to immediately discontinue the false and misleading advertisements and conduct a self-audit of their platforms to identify and remove products that violate the law or pose a risk to consumers’ life and safety.The CCPA initiated proceedings after the department of agriculture and farmers’ welfare forwarded a complaint it had received from the Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) regarding the sale and advertisement of the unregistered herbicide through e-commerce and digital media platforms.During the investigation, the agriculture department informed CCPA that the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of insecticides and pesticides are regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Insecticides Rules to safeguard human beings and animals from potential risks.The department told the authority that no chemical named Cyclosinone is included in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act. However, a product marketed as “Cyclosinone Herbicide” was being sold through online platforms without disclosing the chemical name of its active ingredient or its composition.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“It is currently being marketed illegally because it bypasses the mandatory safety, bio-efficacy, quality and legal checks required under the Insecticides Act,” the department said in its submission to CCPA.The authority rejected the e-commerce companies’ argument that they could not be held responsible for products listed by third-party sellers. The CCPA said online marketplaces cannot disown their statutory obligation to protect consumers and are required to exercise due diligence to prevent the sale of products that are illegal or hazardous.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTibet Govt-in-Exile Reprimands Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Calls Comparison ‘Misplaced and Inaccurate’India’s Savage ‘Osama’ Reply To Pak PM’s UN Bluster; ‘Repeating Lies Won’t Make It True’‘A Terrorist Country Asking Me That Question’: Jaishankar’s Sharp Reply To Pak Journalist At UN’SIR’ Under Fire? IIT-Bombay, Election Commission Face Accountability Questions | PrasangMassive Protest Erupts At Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Against Gyanesh Kumar Over EC-SIR RowUAPA ‘Missing’: What Allowed VanDyke, 6 Ukrainians To Leave India? The Legal Gap Explained‘Made In UP’ Missiles Giving Pakistan Sleepless Nights: Amit Shah On BrahMosOmar Abdullah Moves Full Statehood Resolution In J&K Assembly, BJP Protest Sparks House UproarThird Bihar Harassment Case In A Week: Minor Girl Targeted In Banka, Video Surfaces’You Cannot Keep Playing’: CJP’s Dipke Challenges Opposition Over Alleged Election Rigging123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysTN programmePunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 26, 2026, 13:35 IST ‘I’m not going to worry about expectations’: Virat Kohli reveals how he plans to bat in new ODI role After 11 years, Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg put their Illinois retreat up for sale at $2.8 million How to wear coloured gemstones with confidence