VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html EC imposes ban on exit polls for assembly polls in five states till April 29 ‘Fake AI campaign’ Sparks Allegations as Himanta Biswa Sarma Takes On Congress in Assam | India News Delhi government invites scholarship applications for SC, ST, OBC students for 2025-26, apply by April 30 ‘Moondram Pirai’ to ’96’: Tamil romantic movies that define generations Jasprit Bumrah: IPL 2026: From being unable to afford milk to becoming a cricket hero: The quiet rise of Jasprit Bumrah Fired Oracle employee turns Uber driver, says ‘no panic’ thanks to savings NEW DELHI: A technical committee of Bureau of Indian Standards has recommended the cabinet secretariat’s deregulation cell to reconsider its “suggestion” to drop fire and life safety from the main National Building Code and move it to a “handbook”, arguing fire safety is a critical issue and buildings that are not planned or maintained well can turn into death traps.The deregulation cell, which is looking to ease life for individuals and businesses, has proposed a revamp of the National Building Code (NBC), with sections dealing with prerequisites for applying provisions of the code, administration and development control and promotion norms along with general building requirements be deleted. The cell’s suggestions were based on inputs from stakeholders.The cell had also proposed that fire and life safety, construction management, landscape development, approach to sustainability asset and facility management be part of separate “handbooks”, which work as references for best practices. The idea is to leave it to state govts and municipal authorities to decide norms.This is the second instance of the cell suggesting BIS change the norms. Last one was the withdrawal of notification related to revised seismic code.The BIS committee has accepted several suggestions of the deregulation cell, including the provision of dividing a city into fire zones, removing height restriction and relaxing the requirement of sprinkler system for all low-hazard and small-scale industries. “The committee has agreed to modify provisions where suggestions have merit. But any dilution of fire safety norms must be avoided for public safety,” said a panel member.Some committee members said that when draft NBC-2025 was ready for publication after over two years of work by experts, the cell in a letter to states said NBC is not mandatory for them to follow. The June 25 last year letter stated, “NBC is not legally binding. It’s a voluntary code for reference. It is not a ‘code’ in a legally binding sense…The subject of land and buildings is listed in List-II (State List) in the Constitution.” “Hence buildings and matters like norms for FAR/FSI, set back, ground coverage, parking, green area, fire regulation, etc as well as other aspects covered in NBC are within the exclusive legislative and executive jurisdiction of states,” it said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata ThreatAhead Of Vikram Misri’s US Visit, Sergio Gor’s High Level Meetings Set Stage For Key Strategic TalksAfter US Rescue Ops Inside Iran, Question Emerges, Could India Have Attempted Such Mission In 2019?’India’s Global Rise Needs Military Edge’: Michael Rubin Urges Delhi To Match Power With CapabilityGovt Boosts 5-Kg LPG Allocation For Migrants As Supply Pressure GrowsPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: Report123PhotostoriesSummer fridge warning: These small mistakes can overheat your compressor and cause a blastDelhi Pragati Maidan underpass-5 back on track after Railway NOC work is scheduled to finish by Dec 2026Things you can do if you wake up between 3 AM and 5 AMThe biggest sign you are with the right partnerAlia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s airport look screams Monaco millionaire energy – let’s decode their quiet luxury momentCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman10 ancient ways people preserved food before refrigerators existed123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionStrait of HormuzIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date ‘We’re losing in key moments’: Klaasen reveals what’s hurting SRH in IPL 2026 Gold price prediction today: Will gold prices see limited upside for now amid US-Iran war? Check outlook for April 7, 2026 ICAI reschedules CA Intermediate May 2026 exams, new dates announced ‘Dhurandhar’ is the beginning of the end’: ‘Rana Naidu’ writer BVS Ravi on how Ranveer Singh’s film will reshape Telugu films Dior, Louis Vuitton decline sale to Russian Olympian at Milan airport: Here’s what happened SpaceX launches Falcon 9 visible across San Diego skies deploying 25 Starlink satellites to orbit 5 common shaving mistakes damaging your skin: Real truth about hair removal and skincare Image posted by Navjot Kaur Sidhu on X NEW DELHI: Former Punjab MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Tuesday launched her own political outfit, Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party, two months after she was expelled from the Congress.Kaur, wife of former cricketer and ex-Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, made the announcement on X late Monday night, calling it a “much awaited announcement.”“The much-awaited announcement: We have been working on a new alternative at a national level after carefully monitoring and reviewing the current standards of performance of political leaders,” her post read.“Just wanting to dedicate our lives to our country, giving back to the people what they truly deserve and expect from us. A divine intervention, which just put together some like-minded individuals who just have the ability, confidence, courage, and determination to work on each state with the common goal to provide justice and peace, and through love, work with the energy of higher consciousness and deliver just what Waheguru Ji desires from us,” she wrote.Kaur added that she would lead Punjab to achieve its “long-lost glory” as a “Golden State,” rooted in “love, sharing, justice, liberty, and selfless service,” without outside interference.The Congress had suspended Kaur after her “Rs 500 crore for chief minister’s chair” remark sparked a political row. She had also targeted Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, accusing him of “damaging” the state unit and calling him “the most horrific, incapable, and corrupt president ever.”She was later expelled following repeated criticism of Rahul Gandhi and Warring.Kaur was elected MLA from Amritsar East in 2012 on a BJP ticket. She joined the Congress along with her husband ahead of the 2017 Punjab assembly polls, in which the party unseated the Shiromani Akali Dal–BJP alliance.(With PTI inputs)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: ReportJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody‘Jointness To Theatre Commands Is Not Simple’: Lt Gen PJS Pannu On India’s Military ReformsModi Vs Mamata, Himanta Vs Gogoi: Why Pakistan Features In Bengal, Assam Poll RhetoricKhalistan Call In Canada Falls Flat, Low Turnout Exposes Gap Between Online Noise And Ground Reality123PhotostoriesCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman8 famous foods that aren’t actually from the countries you thinkWhy rotis turn soggy in casserole & 5 tips to keep them moisture-free6 ultra-rare Bugatti models ever built7 painting styles that elevate your home décor with a luxurious touch4 Bhagavad Gita shlokas that help when life feels unfairNo symptoms but real risk: How prediabetes and prehypertension progress silently, and what you can do today to prevent future health issues123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionLindsey GrahamGigi HadidAngel ReeseIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date 12 million barrels of crude! India ramps up Venezuela oil imports to 6-year high amid US-Iran war, Hormuz crisis AIIMS NORCET 10 admit card 2026 to be released tomorrow for 2,551 Nursing Officer posts: Check how to download hall ticket Anne Hathaway’s first reaction to ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’: ‘Did Meryl Streep read it yet?’ The biggest sign you are with the right partner Why offering water to the Peepal tree is believed to ease Saturn’s effects Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jubail oil facility hit; key industrial hub accounting for 7% of GDP impacted Cambodia honours its most famous landmine-sniffing rat, Magawa, with a statue | World News Tamil Nadu elections: Leema Rose, ‘lottery king’s’ wife, richest in fray with Rs 1,000cr assets NEW DELHI: Leema Rose, wife of “Lottery King” Santiago Martin, filed her nomination from the Lalgudi constituency as an AIADMK candidate on Monday, ANI reported. With declared assets exceeding Rs 1,049 crore, she is the richest candidate in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.According to her election affidavit, Leema Rose reported an income of Rs 9.82 crore for 2024-25. Her husband Santiago Martin declared an income of Rs 11.39 crore, while their son Jose Daison Martin reported Rs 19.56 crore, ANI said.The affidavit shows that Leema Rose owns movable assets worth Rs 139.62 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 909.94 crore. Santiago Martin’s movable and immovable assets stand at Rs 3,262.01 crore and Rs 887.36 crore respectively, while Jose Daison Martin has movable assets of Rs 225.56 crore and immovable assets of Rs 439.21 crore, according to ANI.Leema Rose’s educational qualification is Class VI.Her nomination comes amid an intense political campaign in Tamil Nadu ahead of polling scheduled for April 23, with results set to be announced on May 4, ANI reported.The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which includes Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to make his electoral debut with TVK, potentially turning the election into a three-way contest, ANI added.On Sunday, union minister and BJP Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal expressed confidence that the NDA will form the next government in the state.”A superb campaign has started. Tomorrow, all our candidates will be filing nominations and there is a lot of enthusiasm on the ground,” Goyal said. “We will certainly defeat anti-Tamil Nadu, anti-India forces of DMK and Congress and NDA will emerge victorious, forming the next government in Tamil Nadu and serving the people with welfare and development.”About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata ThreatAhead Of Vikram Misri’s US Visit, Sergio Gor’s High Level Meetings Set Stage For Key Strategic TalksAfter US Rescue Ops Inside Iran, Question Emerges, Could India Have Attempted Such Mission In 2019?’India’s Global Rise Needs Military Edge’: Michael Rubin Urges Delhi To Match Power With CapabilityGovt Boosts 5-Kg LPG Allocation For Migrants As Supply Pressure GrowsPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: Report123PhotostoriesThings you can do if you wake up between 3 AM and 5 AMAlia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s airport look screams Monaco millionaire energy – let’s decode their quiet luxury momentCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman10 ancient ways people preserved food before refrigerators existed8 famous foods that aren’t actually from the countries you thinkWhy rotis turn soggy in casserole & 5 tips to keep them moisture-free6 ultra-rare Bugatti models ever built123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionStrait of HormuzIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date ‘Dhoni’s absence doesn’t make much difference’: SRH star’s candid take on CSK ‘To the winner belong the spoils’: Trump eyes Iranian oil, says ‘I am a businessman first’ NIOS admit card 2026 released for Theory exams at nios.ac.in: Direct link to download hall tickets here Salman Khan reacts to Rajpal Yadav’s ‘dollar’ remark as he comes out in his support: ‘Aapko isi rate pe milega’ She cheered without hesitation: The parenting truth about raising children who feel deeply and fearlessly | Chennai company gifts 12 Audi cars to employees! Check details SIR row: Mamata Banerjee claims names of people belonging to ‘specific communities’ deleted from voter rolls Saudi Arabia expands Saudization, mandates 100% employment of KSA nationals in 69 private sector jobs | World News NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Puducherry CM, calling him a “puppet”, claiming that real authority in the union territory is in the hands of the lieutenant governor.Addressing an election rally, MK Stalin accused the Centre of undermining democratic governance in Puducherry by allowing the lieutenant governor to exercise “excessive and overriding powers,” leaving the elected government sidelined. He argued that, despite having an assembly and an elected chief minister, key administrative decisions are effectively controlled by the Centre’s representative.”The chief minister is unable to exercise the powers entrusted to him by the people. Instead, the lieutenant governor has become ‘all in all,” Stalin said, alleging that this imbalance has weakened governance and accountability.The DMK president further brought up the long-pending demand of full statehood for Puducherry. He asserts that such a status will redirect the authority to the elected government and prevent it from what he describes as “backseat governance” by the centrally appointed official.He also criticised the BJP-led Centre, under PM Narendra Modi, for failing to address the demand despite repeated resolutions passed by the Puducherry assembly. According to Stalin, the current arrangement has led to administrative inefficiencies and policy paralysis.Framing the upcoming elections as a referendum on governance, Stalin urged voters to reject what he called a “power imbalance” and support a change that would ensure the chief minister is no longer “reduced to a symbolic role.”About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAfter US Rescue Ops Inside Iran, Question Emerges, Could India Have Attempted Such Mission In 2019?’India’s Global Rise Needs Military Edge’: Michael Rubin Urges Delhi To Match Power With CapabilityGovt Boosts 5-Kg LPG Allocation For Migrants As Supply Pressure GrowsPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: ReportJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody123PhotostoriesAlia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s airport look screams Monaco millionaire energy – let’s decode their quiet luxury momentCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman10 ancient ways people preserved food before refrigerators existed8 famous foods that aren’t actually from the countries you thinkWhy rotis turn soggy in casserole & 5 tips to keep them moisture-free6 ultra-rare Bugatti models ever built7 painting styles that elevate your home décor with a luxurious touch123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionStrait of HormuzIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Apr 07, 2026, 13:39 IST M Chinnaswamy set for massive revamp! KSCA plans 20,000-seat expansion DDA JSA final result 2026 released at dda.gov.in: Direct link to download scorecards here ‘Matka King’ trailer: Vijay Varma, Kritika Kamra and Sai Tamhankar’s series explores 1960s Mumbai gambling world Move over brides: This Indian mom’s glow-up on her daughter’s wedding day is breaking the internet | Things you can do if you wake up between 3 AM and 5 AM ‘Friendly ties with them do not land you up as part of Akhand Bharat’: Pak Senator questions India-UAE ties F-15E Rescue Mission: Did US use F-15E rescue op as cover to seize uranium? Iran claims ‘deception mission’ NEW DELHI: Assam Police on Tuesday searched the Delhi residence of Congress leader Pawan Khera following an FIR lodged by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, amid an ongoing political controversy over allegations related to the latter holding multiple passports.The development comes after Khera, who heads the Congress media department, alleged that Sarma’s wife held three passports, of UAE, Egypt and India , claims that have been strongly denied by the ruling BJP leadership in the state.Reacting to the Assam cops search Sarma said ,”I don’t know why Assam Police went to Delhi. As far as I know, Pawan Khera has already fled to Hyderabad,” as quoted by PTI.Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, the chief minister said he would act against the Congress leader. “I will take stringest action against Congress leader Pawan Khera, just wait for some days. We will win at least 100 seats in the elections,” Sarma said.Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, speaking to ANI, confirmed filing the FIR and said the allegations could not be treated lightly. She accused the opposition of acting out of frustration and attempting to “set up a playbook,” adding that “let justice prevail”.Sarma also rejected claims linking his family to properties in Dubai, alleging that documents cited by Congress were sourced from the document-sharing platform Scribd without authorisation. He further escalated the attack by alleging “Pakistani links” in the controversy involving Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera.“Why did you take help from a Pakistani social media group? So whatever has been said about us, we will go to court, everything, but my allegation is why is Pakistan helping Gaurav Gogoi,” he said.The chief minister also asserted that the Congress was “finished” in Assam, citing what he described as improving electoral prospects for the NDA.The row comes just ahead of the Assam assembly elections scheduled for April 9, with campaigning set to end on Tuesday evening. Vote counting will take place on May 4.(With inputs from ANI)About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAfter US Rescue Ops Inside Iran, Question Emerges, Could India Have Attempted Such Mission In 2019?’India’s Global Rise Needs Military Edge’: Michael Rubin Urges Delhi To Match Power With CapabilityGovt Boosts 5-Kg LPG Allocation For Migrants As Supply Pressure GrowsPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: ReportJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody123PhotostoriesCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman10 ancient ways people preserved food before refrigerators existed8 famous foods that aren’t actually from the countries you thinkWhy rotis turn soggy in casserole & 5 tips to keep them moisture-free6 ultra-rare Bugatti models ever built7 painting styles that elevate your home décor with a luxurious touch4 Bhagavad Gita shlokas that help when life feels unfair123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionStrait of HormuzIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date IPL 2026: After KKR-PBKS washout, will rain hit RR vs MI in Guwahati too? | Cricket News NEST registration window deadline 2026 extended: Direct link to apply here ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection day 20 [LIVE]: Ranveer Singh film surges past Rs 1,025 crore milestone on third Tuesday Kalashtami April 2026: Date, time, puja rituals and significance of worshipping Lord Bhairav Artemis II astronauts observe Moon during flyby; NASA shares image India’s nuclear push gets boost as fast-breeder reactor reaches criticality; why it matters ‘Bleeding profusely, hiding in crevice’: Trump discloses details of daring rescue of downed US pilot in Iran | World News NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday criticised Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif over his recent warning targeting Kolkata, calling the remarks provocative and cautioning Islamabad against repeating past mistakes.”Pakistan’s Defence Minister should not have given such a provocative statement. 55 years ago, they suffered the consequences when Pakistan was divided into two parts. If they try to cast an eye on Bengal, only God knows how many parts Pakistan will be divided into this time,” Singh said.The response comes after Asif warned that Pakistan could strike Kolkata in the event of any “future misadventure” by India. Speaking in Sialkot, Asif had said, “If India attempts another false-flag operation, then, God willing, we will take it to Kolkata.”Also read – ‘We will take it to Kolkata’: Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif warns India of strikes in ‘future misadventures’He also alleged that New Delhi could be planning a “false-flag operation” to blame Islamabad, though he did not provide any evidence.Tensions between India and Pakistan have remained high since the April 22 Pahalgam attack last year, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The attack led to a brief but intense military confrontation between May 7 and 10.Hostilities eased after Pakistan sought a ceasefire, which India accepted, while maintaining that its military response under Operation Sindoor had only been paused. New Delhi has also asserted that it will not distinguish between terrorist groups and Pakistan’s military leadership in its response.Earlier, Asif had described Pakistan’s response to any Indian action as “swift, calibrated and decisive,” reacting to Singh’s warning that any future “misadventure” would invite “unprecedented and decisive” retaliation.The latest remarks also follow comments by former Pakistani high commissioner to India Abdul Basit, who suggested that Islamabad could target major Indian cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi if its nuclear arsenal were threatened, arguing that India would become the “next best option.”“If someone casts an evil eye on us, we will strike Mumbai and New Delhi without hesitation,” Basit added.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India’s Global Rise Needs Military Edge’: Michael Rubin Urges Delhi To Match Power With CapabilityGovt Boosts 5-Kg LPG Allocation For Migrants As Supply Pressure GrowsPakistan’s Kolkata Threat Row: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Slams PM Modi, Shah With Fiery Response“Mad Dog Has Bitten Them”: Assam CM’s Wife Launches Fiery Attack On CongressPM Modi Hails Nuclear Milestone, India’s Fast Breeder Reactor At Kalpakkam Reaches Criticality Stage“Saved Millions Of Lives”: Trump Repeats Explosive India-Pak Truce Claim Amid Iran WarPakistan To Repay $4.8 Billion In External Debt By June, Including $3.5 Billion To UAE: ReportJaishankar Speaks To Qatar PM, India Ramps Up Diplomatic Outreach Amid Iran EscalationUAPA Terror Case: NIA Court Sends US Citizen, 6 Ukrainians To 30-Day Judicial Custody‘Jointness To Theatre Commands Is Not Simple’: Lt Gen PJS Pannu On India’s Military Reforms123PhotostoriesCarry this with you for wealth and financial stability based on your birth date5 castles where people still live—and you can visit tooPlatinum vs Silver: What are the main differences?Baby names inspired by Lord Hanuman10 ancient ways people preserved food before refrigerators existed8 famous foods that aren’t actually from the countries you thinkWhy rotis turn soggy in casserole & 5 tips to keep them moisture-free6 ultra-rare Bugatti models ever built7 painting styles that elevate your home décor with a luxurious touch4 Bhagavad Gita shlokas that help when life feels unfair123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionAngel ReeseIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Watch: Arjun Tendulkar’s pinpoint yorkers light up LSG nets | Cricket News