VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html 160 years ago, a ship caught fire and ran aground off Australia; now, mangroves have turned it into a living island filled with greenery and wildlife | World News NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) founder Prashant Kishor on Friday said the “rot” in the Election Commission of India (ECI) began well before Gyanesh Kumar became Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), with his remarks coming amid a massive row following a media report alleging differences between Kumar and the two Election Commissioners over several decisions, including the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.“The rot did not begin with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. One of his predecessors, after retirement, became chairman of a bank despite having no expertise in the banking sector. Clearly, it is a case of quid pro quo,” Kishor told PTI.He was referring to Ashok Lavasa, who resigned from the poll panel in 2020 to join the Asian Development Bank (ADB).Citing his experience as an election strategist, Kishor further claimed that he was the “first person” to flag the Election Commission’s alleged “partiality” towards the ruling BJP.”I had said so way back in 2021 after the West Bengal assembly polls. I had clearly stated that the BJP could win 77 seats because of the EC’s benediction. Had the polls been free and fair, their tally would not have exceeded 50. The EC, by its partiality, has been ensuring that those in a close fight with the BJP ended up tasting defeat and those tipped for a massive victory won only by a modest margin,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKishor had worked with the Trinamool Congress during the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections and played a key role in the party securing a third consecutive term.He also cited his experience in the recent bypoll to Bihar’s Bankipur Assembly seat, which he won in his electoral debut.“I would have won by at least 50,000 votes, but for the EC turning a blind eye to the blatant misuse of the administrative machinery and the BJP’s spending of hundreds of crores during the campaign,” Kishor alleged. He wrested the seat from the BJP, which had held it for 30 years. The seat had fallen vacant after BJP national president Nitin Nabin vacated it.The JSP founder also claimed that the “conduct of elections is compromised on all counts”, including campaign funding, the use of the bureaucracy and alleged tampering with electoral rolls.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 MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 25, 2026, 15:53 IST French actress Marina Vlady passes away at 88; Cannes-winning star appeared in more than 80 films 7 out of 10 Indians lack fibre: 5 high-fibre fruits for better digestion and health 14 Kazakh military personnel killed during naval exercise, five naval officers detained over negligence suspicion Americans ordered what were advertised as ‘no cost’ Covid tests online; prosecutors say their insurance information was then used to bill more than $500 million for services that were never provided Sep 25, 2026, 16:16 IST Mushtaq Khan funeral: Son Mohsin Khan reveals late actor’s cancer had turned aggressive, recalls his final moments and says ‘ant unka muskurate hue hua hai’, Rajat Bedi, Ali Khan pay respects Can Aadhaar mistake one twin for another? Twin sisters from UP’s Rampur face bizarre biometric problem after one twin flagged duplicate just before Class 10 board registration, fingerprints and retina match FAQs on Section 138 of NI Act: What happens once your cheque is dishonoured? California crews digging 12 feet below an Oceanside infrastructure project uncovered limb bones, ribs and fragments that paleontologists say may belong to a ‘thunder beast’ up to 45 million years old BJP rejects Omar’s statehood resolution, opposes Article 370 debate SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today brought a resolution before Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, the resolution was fiercely opposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) creating chaotic scenes forcing the speaker to adjourn the House.As the resolution contains a reference to the autonomy resolution passed by J&K Assembly in June 2000, when Jammu and Kashmir was a state, the BJP accused the ruling party of being anti-national and called the resolution an autonomy resolution.Omar’s resolution reads: “In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on 26 June 2000 and 6 November 2024, the House calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this resolution be forwarded to the Government of India.”For nearly two years, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has repeatedly called for the restoration of statehood and taken up the issue with the Centre. Soon after taking office, his Cabinet passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood.NC legislators said the Centre’s lack of movement on statehood forced the party to bring the resolution in the Assembly. Omar echoed this, saying it seems the cabinet was not seen as the sole voice of the people, while the legislature represented the broader political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir including parties outside the government. “Statehood is not about the government or my family, it is about Jammu and Kashmir. That is why we brought it to the House, so that a united voice can go to the Centre for restoration of statehood,” Omar said.After Omar moved the resolution, the BJP legislators shouted slogans, tore copies of the resolution. Incidentally Congress legislators supported the resolution even moved towards the well to confront BJP legislators. The BJP argues that the resolution shouldn’t have mentioned autonomy resolution in the statehood resolution. Angered by the BJP legislators’ slogans, some of the NC legislators displayed papers reading “we want autonomy of J&K be restored.” Others called for restoration of Article 370.Earlier addressing the House after moving the resolution, the CM said the House should discuss and pass the resolution as lack of statehood to J&K is causing immense suffering to people of J&K.“We were promised that the restoration of statehood would follow delimitation and elections. Delimitation of constituencies was carried out. Elections were held and a large number of people took part in them (in 2024). People voted without any coercion. But the third step of the promise, the restoration of statehood was not fulfilled,” Omar said, referring to assurances given by the centre in Parliament and before the Supreme Court.The CM said statehood was a promise made by the government of India and reaffirmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a function where he was present along with the leader of Opposition in J&K Sunil Sharma. He said the Prime Minister has stated that the restoration of statehood is Modi’s promise.Omar said several important institutions and projects remained beyond the effective control of the elected government, citing the Power Development Corporation and AIIMS-related matters as examples.“As chief minister and power minister, I do not receive the files of the J&K State Power Development Corporation. If the elected government is responsible for everything other than security, law and order, and services matters, then why are institutions like the State Power Development Corporation or health institutions like SKIMS outside its control,”J&K CM added.Explaining the adding previous resolution to the current resolution, he said the House continued to stand by all resolutions passed earlier by the Assembly. He said he has mentioned earlier resolutions in the current resolution so that “our friends” an indirect reference to the PDP shouldn’t say that “we have given up on them.” “Those resolutions remain in place. This House owns them. This resolution neither replaces nor ignores them. It is an addition to them,” he said.Omar said the resolution simply called upon the Government of India to fulfil its commitment and restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “We do not want a half state, a quarter state or a state without powers over law and order. We were promised full statehood and full statehood is what we seek,” he said.“We wanted a resolution to be passed by the Assembly and sent to the Government of India stating that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood should be restored immediately,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesLater talking to reporters Omar said, “elections were held almost two years ago and a promise was made to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.” He said the promise has not been fulfilled. “We are asking the BJP to vote only on statehood. We are not asking them to vote on Article 370, special status or autonomy. Those resolutions have already been passed by this House.”The chief minister rejected BJP’s accusation that his resolution is an anti-national stating, “how can demanding statehood be anti-national? What is anti-national about it? We have not brought a resolution on autonomy. Those resolutions have already been passed by the House. They remain the property of the House. We are not touching them. This new resolution is only about restoring statehood and does not dilute the earlier resolutions.” However, he said, if the BJP wants to bring a resolution to replace or reject the earlier resolutions, they should do it. “We are a democracy.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court US 30-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2004 as bond selloff deepens ‘The Paradise’: Nani reacts to mixed response to Srikanth Odela’s film, says he has ‘learnt from the flaws’ pointed out by critics: ‘I’ve received all your love and equally enjoyed your hilarious trolls’ Who was the valet King Charles was allegedly in love with? Diana’s brother revives decades-old royal rumour SIR row: Jantar Mantar entrance barricaded ahead of protests; Gaurav Gogoi, others detained in Assam A Georgia landowner claimed a $23 million tax deduction for a 103-acre conservation easement; an appeals court upheld a valuation of just $480,000 and a 40% penalty after rejecting the property’s proposed quarry value Recent allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar suggest unilateral actions disregarding his colleagues’ views. NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday clarified that the cancellation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s youth outreach events in Uttar Pradesh had nothing to do with the ongoing row over alleged internal differences in the poll body but were necessiated due to various logistical factors.”Adjustments in dates of events is an ongoing process which is necessitated by various factors such as availability of venues, schedules of higher authorities, natural factors etc,” officials said.”There have been many occasions when the electoral literacy conferences had been postponed/dates changed earlier also such as HP, Ladakh, Uttarakhand. Moreover, the decision to postpone these two particular conferences was taken on Sep 21,” they added.Gyanesh Kumar was scheduled to attend the voter awareness programmes in Meerut on Friday and Varanasi on September 28.This comes as a political row erupted after an Indian Express report highlighted differences among the commissioners over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The report said election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised formal objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period against decisions and orders related to electoral-roll processes.Meanwhile, the opposition launched protests across the country demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.The Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress held a protest outside the chief electoral officer’s office in Bhopal, demanding Kumar’s resignation. Protesters raised slogans against the CEC and carried posters reading “arrest Gyanesh Kumar for treason” and “Vote-Chori magic trick exposed”.In Dehradun, Congress workers also staged a protest demanding Kumar’s resignation, with Congress MP Kumari Selja leading the demonstration.In Punjab, Pradesh Congress committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring demanded Kumar’s dismissal, an FIR against him and his alleged collaborators, and their arrest. He also announced a march to the ECI office in Chandigarh under the leadership of Sachin Pilot.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“The march will begin at 11 am on September 25 from near the RBI Office, Sector 17, Chandigarh, and proceed towards the ECI office,” he said.CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also vowed to launch a nationwide protest from October 2 if Kumar did not resign by Saturday.In a post on X, Dipke said CJP would begin its protest from Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti and subsequently take the agitation to cities across India.“If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by tomorrow, CJP will begin its nationwide protest from Mumbai on 2 October, and take it to cities across India. This Gandhi Jayanti let’s pledge to save democracy,” Dipke wrote.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 MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court ‘Meesaya Murkku 2’ Twitter review: Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi wins praise for ‘3 variational roles’ as viewers call the first half weak and the second half ‘a complete blast’ Is your ‘paneer’ really paneer? What FSSAI’s latest proposal could change for you About 43,674 light-up children’s toys sold for around $1 from 2016 to 2026 are being recalled because their button batteries can be accessed without a tool, creating an ingestion and chemical-burn risk Warring questions ED’s election-time action NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday questioned the Enforcement Directorate’s timing in carrying out searches in the state, alleging that corruption had taken place in several departments under the “chief minister’s nose”.Warring said alleged corruption in Punjab must be investigated, but questioned why central agencies had become active only ahead of elections.”I have never given a clean chit to any central agency, because central agencies tend to become active only around election time. But yes, the fact remains that within Punjab, not just GMADA [Greater Mohali Area Development Authority]—there are many other departments and ministries where scams on a massive scale have occurred,” Warring told reporters.”Those scams must be thoroughly investigated, and this corruption was taking place right under the chief minister’s nose,” he added.Taking a swipe at those allegedly involved in the irregularities, Warring said people in Punjab were aware of what had happened.”Don’t just take my word for it; as an opposition party chief, I am bound to say this, but ask anyone, ask the common people: it wasn’t some foreign invader like Ahmad Shah Abdali who looted Delhi; the looters were specific individuals whose names are now surfacing,” he further said.Warring said the ED action was welcome but questioned why similar action had not been taken earlier.”All this happened under the chief minister’s watch. Yet, questions also arise regarding the ED: Why have you become active only now?” he said.”It is good [that action is being taken], but during the past five years when Punjab was crying out in protest, you knew that the policies of Delhi were formulated here… that the Delhi policies were mirrored here. Why were you silent back then? What were you waiting for?” he asked.”Were you waiting for Punjab to be plundered? For Punjab to be stripped clean? Were you waiting for Rs 10,000 crore to be stashed away before stepping in? Why didn’t you arrive earlier? And why right before elections?” Warring said.The Congress leader also raised the possibility of a “collusion at the top”, but stressed that this was his own assessment.”Often I am fully convinced that there is collusion at the top. It’s staged—like staging protests where you pretend you’re being victimised, and they respond… but beneath the surface, behind closed doors, there’s collusion,” he said.He also sought answers on cases and FIRs registered earlier, questioning whether those investigations had progressed.”And what happened to the major FIRs and cases filed earlier? You made huge claims back then too,” Warring said.”Corruption has taken place. Corruption has occurred across ministries and right under the chief minister’s nose. But my question remains for the ED: Why this delay? Why did you stand by watching Punjab get looted?” he said.Warring also referred to speculation about an alleged understanding involving the Union home minister and differences within the Aam Aadmi Party.”Some people even speculate that the Home Minister… these are speculations, of course. There are internal rifts within AAP as well, infighting among them… perhaps they want to wrap up those speculations too,” he said.”What the hidden secret is will be revealed gradually. I won’t say it outright today. When I say Home Minister, I mean the Union Home Minister of the country. So, where this loop originates, who is in league with whom, and who wants to frame whom—all of this will become clear in the days to come,” he added.The ED on Tuesday carried out search and survey operations at 26 premises across Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation linked to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd.The agency also surveyed the GMADA office and the Punjab government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe ED said its investigation found that the promoters of Tirupati Infraprojects also controlled other entities that bought two prime auction sites in Mohali from GMADA. These entities later received substantial financial relief on dues owed to the authority, according to the agency.The agency has estimated the suspected undue gain to the companies and the resulting loss to the exchequer at more than Rs 100 crore.The searches have since turned into a political flashpoint in Punjab. The ruling AAP has accused the Centre of using central agencies against the state government ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. AAP leaders and workers also held a protest outside the GMADA office in Mohali on Thursday.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Samantha Ruth Prabhu flaunts baby bump during third-trimester seated corn rows workout with witty caption: ‘Equal parts strong till the very end and please don’t make me get up’ “I got an ₹85-lakh annual package, but this is how much I’ll actually get every month”: Corporate manager breaks down his shocking in-hand salary reality Meet Dr Monish, NEET PG 2026 AIR 1 holder who scored 641 out of 720; what we know about his achievement A Norfolk seal was rescued with 4 kilograms of fishing debris wrapped around her neck; the material had cut a 3-inch-deep wound and she now faces months of rehabilitation if she survives 23 ITBP Himveers have scaled Uttarakhand’s 7,355 metre Mt Abi Gamin. NEW DELHI: 23 ITBP personnel conquered the 7,355-metre Mt Abi Gamin on the Indo-Tibet frontier in Uttarakhand, reaching its summit on September 16 and unfurling the Tricolour at an altitude of about 24,131 feet.Led by deputy commandant Parikshit Shah, the team began its expedition from ITBP headquarters in New Delhi on August 7. The climb took weeks of preparation, acclimatisation and movement through the difficult terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas.The expedition was part of the Force Level Mountaineering Expedition 2026 and was flagged off by ITBP director general Shatrujeet Kapur.At more than 7,000 metres, Abi Gamin presents a combination of thin air, freezing temperatures, snow and glacier terrain. Weather conditions can also change rapidly at such heights.The ITBP said the expedition demonstrated the force’s mountaineering skills, determination and team spirit. After weeks on the mountain, the team finally reached the summit on September 16.The official ITBP account marked the achievement with the words, “Himveers summit Mt Abi Gamin!”, while highlighting the 23-member team’s mountaineering skills, determination and team spirit. DG Shatrujeet Kapur also congratulated the expedition members.A mountain near the frontierMt Abi Gamin, also known as Ibi Gamin, is located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is close to Mt Kamet, with its summit located on the India-Tibet frontier and its northern slopes extending towards Tibet.The mountain is roughly 2 km northeast of Kamet and forms part of the wider Kamet massif.Abi Gamin has a long history of mountaineering. An Anglo-Swiss expedition made the first successful ascent in 1950 after approaching the mountain from the Tibetan side through Mana Pass. Indian mountaineers also successfully climbed it in the 1950s, including an expedition led by Nandu Jayal in 1953.Its location adds significance to the ITBP expedition, as the force has personnel operating regularly in high-altitude Himalayan areas.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe challenge at more than 24,000 feet goes beyond the steepness of the mountain. Oxygen levels are much lower than at sea level, while extreme cold, snow, glaciers and sudden weather changes can make movement dangerous.The route around Abi Gamin has historically involved snow and glacier sections, with the mountain linked to nearby Kamet through Meade’s Col. Earlier expeditions have reported difficult ice sections and extremely cold conditions at high camps.Such conditions make acclimatisation, careful planning and experience essential for any expedition to the summit.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 25, 2026, 14:57 IST ‘The Paradise’ actor Remo Raheem reveals his 5–7 minute scene was cut from Nani and Srikanth Odela’s film: If you keep looking for logic, no film will satisfy you’ Baby boy names that mean “he who questions” or “curious” Tanzania planted 100,000 native trees along an elephant corridor; the 1,000 animals now have a route from savanna to rainforest Patriot production in Europe: Germany seeks US nod to make PAC-3 missiles Amit Shah on Brahmos NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the manufacturing of defence equipment in Uttar Pradesh was a sign of the transformation taking place in the state and across India, claiming that BrahMos missiles manufactured in UP were “giving Pakistan sleepless nights”.Addressing the UP International Trade Show 2026 in Greater Noida, Shah said investments in defence manufacturing were flowing into all six nodes of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor — Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Lucknow, Agra, Aligarh and Kanpur.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“Those with a jaundiced view cannot bear to see India’s progress. Under PM Modi’s leadership, we have signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with many countries… these agreements have exponentially boosted our industries’ export potential, and we have sustained our growth despite facing various adversities,” Shah said.“Today, the BrahMos missiles manufactured in UP give Pakistan sleepless nights; this is a prime indicator of the transformation taking place. Similarly, the AK-203 assault rifles made in Amethi are giving sleepless nights to Naxalites and terrorists alike,” he added.Shah also highlighted the government’s emphasis on boosting domestic defence production and manufacturing, linking the growth of the sector to India’s broader economic and industrial expansion.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPriyanka JaiswalPriyanka Jaiswal has four years of experience in digital journalism, news agency reporting and video production. Currently with The Times of India, she covers public policy, politics and global affairs. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories that put people at the heart of an issue, spark awareness , and contribute to meaningful conversations.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksWeather tomorrowBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court Sep 25, 2026, 14:27 IST India draws record $94.5 billion FDI in FY26; total inflow crosses $843 billion Taylor Swift releases ‘The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore’; calls Travis Kelce the ‘Love of my life’, disses Joe Jonas in ‘Patient Zero’ Why do hotels choose white sheets? The psychology and history behind the hospitality standard ‘Dead mindset cannot see vibrancy’: Amit Shah hits back at Rahul’s ‘dead economy’ remark CEA flags 3 ‘near term’ headwinds for Indian economy: US ties, energy prices & absence of AI play Dhanush begins ‘D56’ shoot with grand pooja at Maranadu Karuppanasamy temple in Sivaganga; fans gather in large numbers as actor says ‘go home safely’ amid camera dispute The Science Behind Train Wheels: Why Aren’t They Perfectly Round? | How AI powered autonomous drones are reshaping aerial combat India loses 6.2 million LPG customers in months, connections drop from 333.9 million to 327.7 million, reversing a decade of growth as Iran war squeezes Gulf supplies and oil firms halt new connections Karthik Subbaraj calls ‘Dorothy’ his ‘most emotional story’; says the film changed him as person and filmmaker Taapsee Pannu reveals the one thing that has kept her marriage with Mathias Boe strong for 13 years: ‘Love comes after that’ A female body part never reached books for a century because scientists thought it was useless; now researchers say it is crucial for ovary function Western toilet promised on IRCTC portal but not provided; consumer court orders Rs 20,000 compensation Four artists bought Nina Simone’s childhood home for $95,000, spent nearly $850,000 restoring it Water cannons used on Congress protesters in Chandigarh, Patna NEW DELHI: Congress held protests across several states on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Police used water cannons to disperse protesters in Chandigarh and Patna during the demonstrations.Security personnel were also deployed outside the Election Commission office in New Delhi ahead of a Delhi Congress demonstration over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Indian Youth Congress was also scheduled to march from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar.The protests follow an Indian Express report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders related to the SIR process. The report said their concerns included voter registration, deletion and restoration of names and access to electoral-roll databases.Protests spread across statesThe Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress held a protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bhopal on Thursday, demanding Kumar’s resignation. Protesters raised slogans against the CEC and carried posters reading “arrest Gyanesh Kumar for treason” and “Vote-Chori magic trick exposed”.In Dehradun, Congress workers also staged a protest demanding Kumar’s resignation, with Congress MP Kumari Selja leading the demonstration.In Punjab, Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring demanded Kumar’s dismissal, an FIR against him and his alleged collaborators, and their arrest. He also announced a march to the ECI office in Chandigarh under the leadership of Sachin Pilot.In Karnataka, the Pradesh Congress Committee filed a police complaint seeking action against Kumar and BJP MLA Abhay Patil over alleged violations of voting rights and alleged attempts to manipulate electoral rolls. Congress alleged that Patil had sought deletion of eligible voters’ names and sought penal action against Kumar over alleged arbitrary deletions.Congress workers in Kolkata, West Bengal also staged a protest demanding the resignation of Kumar.CJP threatens nationwide protestsCJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday said his organisation would launch nationwide protests from October 2 if Kumar did not resign by Saturday.In a post on X, Dipke said CJP would begin its protest from Mumbai on Gandhi Jayanti and subsequently take the agitation to cities across India.“If Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by tomorrow, CJP will begin its nationwide protest from Mumbai on 2 October, and take it to cities across India. This Gandhi Jayanti let’s pledge to save democracy,” Dipke wrote.The announcement came a day after Dipke demanded Kumar’s resignation and threatened a “Jantar Mantar 2.0” agitation if his demand was not met.Youth Congress launches online petitionThe Indian Youth Congress on Thursday launched a nationwide online citizens’ petition titled “Gyanesh, It’s Done Bro”, seeking action against Kumar and urging citizens, particularly young people, to participate in a campaign for electoral transparency and accountability.The IYC has demanded Kumar’s removal as CEC, along with his arrest and prosecution. It has also sought a comprehensive investigation into electoral-roll processes, the alleged BJP connection raised by the campaign, and the release of electoral records and internal objections.Opposition plans removal motionOpposition parties are also preparing to move a motion seeking Kumar’s removal in both Houses of Parliament, with Congress reaching out to other opposition parties, party sources said. The notice is expected to be submitted in the coming days. A similar move is being prepared as the political dispute over the ECI and SIR continues.Rahul Gandhi steps up allegationsCongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged with “100 per cent certainty” that elections in India, including the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and several Assembly contests, had been “rigged”. He demanded Kumar’s resignation and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were at the top of a conspiracy and would face investigation.“The first thing we are saying is Mr. Gyanesh Kumar must resign immediately… This thing that you have done is an act against the Indian nation… A person who attacks the vote, who fundamentally destroys India’s democratic institution, is nothing other than a ‘Desh Drohi’,” Gandhi said.He also said the CEC should “turn Approver”.In Raipur, All India Adivasi Congress president Vikrant Bhuria defended Gandhi’s allegations of “vote theft”, saying they were based on facts.“Whatever Rahul Gandhi says is based on facts, and history bears witness that every claim he has made has eventually been proven true. We had been campaigning for quite some time, under his leadership, against vote theft, highlighting that votes were being stolen, elections were being rigged, names were being deleted from voter lists, and the names of ineligible people were being added,” Bhuria told ANI.“Instances were found where thousands of voters were registered at a single address. He substantiated these claims with facts, yet the Election Commission failed to take cognizance of them,” he added.Priyanka backs Rahul’s allegationsCongress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended Rahul Gandhi’s allegations and rejected the BJP’s response to the controversy.“I’m sorry, that’s a very stale and weak story. There are facts, there is evidence. It is there for the whole country to see. My brother (Rahul Gandhi) has shown it in many different press conferences. He has put the evidence forward. Now it is very clear. 13 crore voters have been deleted. This is a lame excuse, and the BJP should stop making lame excuses. If they are meddling with our elections and if their leadership is making the Election Commission do this, then it is an act of treason and they should be aware of it…They are doing an illegal act. How many years has it been that they have been rigging elections? Naturally, they are so overconfident all the time…”Asked whether Congress was planning a protest, she said, “There is a CWC meeting, I think, for which I am having to go back. So they will decide on that meeting and suppose what the course of action will be.”ECI rejects claims of internal dissentThe Election Commission has rejected the assertion that objections raised by Sandhu and Joshi represented structural or institutional dissent over final decisions. The poll panel has said operational queries, internal feedback and administrative suggestions raised during the drafting process are part of the normal functioning of a multi-member constitutional body. It has maintained that all final decisions, including those related to SIR, were unanimous.The ECI has also said ECINet is a secure, decentralised digital platform operated under the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 and 1951. According to the poll panel, statutory duties on the platform are carried out by designated field officers, including BLOs, AEROs, EROs, DEOs and CEOs, using unique IDs and secure credentials.Chirag Paswan asks ECI to clarifyUnion minister Chirag Paswan said that if questions are being raised about the Election Commission, an independent constitutional body, the responsibility lies with the CEC to present his position clearly.“If questions are being raised on Election Commission, which is an independent constitutional body, responsibility lies with CEC to present his stance clearly. It is problematic if people begin to doubt electoral process itself. EC needs to present its stance, not to Rahul Gandhi, but to public,” Paswan said.The controversy over the SIR exercise and the ECI’s internal functioning is expected to be taken up at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29 in New Delhi.SC plea challenges Gyanesh KumarA plea filed in the Supreme Court has challenged alleged unilateral decisions taken by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in connection with the Election Commission’s electoral-roll revision exercise, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe petitioner has sought an SIT investigation into the alleged deletion of around 13 crore voters from electoral rolls. The plea also seeks a declaration that decisions allegedly taken without the concurrence of the other two Election Commissioners were illegal.It has further sought restoration of the original Form 6 used for voter registration and prosecution of Gyanesh Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg and ECI IT head Seema Khanna for alleged violations of their duties under the Representation of the People Act.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 MediaVideosThird 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 Rigging“Terror, Theatrics Won’t Repay Loans”: India Hits Back At Pakistan At UNHRCBJP’s ₹529 Crore Poll Spending Revealed; Bengal Alone Accounted For ₹287 Crore, EC Data ShowsAjeet Bharti Faces Arrest Heat As Delhi HC Rejects Bail In Chandrashekhar Azad CaseIIT-Bombay Death Row: Parents Question CCTV Leak, Demand CBI Probe And Action Against OfficialsAnother Sexual Assault Case from Bihar: 4 Arrested In Samastipur After Video Surfaces OnlineRahul Gandhi Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation, Alleges ‘Vote Chori’ After ECI Rift Emerges’Justice Must Be Served’: Ladakh Marks One Year Since Deadly Leh Violence | WatchWhen The Umpires Clash: 10 Questions At The Heart Of The Election Commission-SIR Row123Hot PicksStock Market TodayBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysMaharashtra School holidayPunjab school holidayTelangana school holidayDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingAsian Games Medal TallyRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court