September 27, 2026

SRINAGAR: Ladakhi political groups have called off the proposed week-long protest march in the region and said they will instead hold a “symbolic” one-day march on Sept 23, citing weather conditions and changing political situation in the UT.”Due to prevailing weather conditions with cold nights, we’re making it into a symbolic 20-km march on Sept 23, followed by martyrs’ day event on Sept 24. Inconvenience regretted, look forward to joining you and marching together,” said climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, of Leh Apex Body, one of the two outfits that have been representing Ladakh in talks with Centre on demands for the region.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘TMC Mine Until…’: Mamata Supports Congress In Nandigram Bypoll; Ritabrata’s ‘Cult’ Jibe At DidiStone Pelting At Ganesh Idol Procession, Mosque In Karnataka’s Bhatkal Sparks Tension‘I Called Amit Shah’: Ex-Union Minister Ravneet Bittu Blames AAP After Convoy Attack In PunjabMamata Faction Submits New Choices To EC After TMC Name-Symbol Freeze For Bengal BypollUPI Fee: Govt, Payment Gateways Discuss Ways To Shield Consumers From MDR BurdenNearly 40% Of Uttarakhand Madrasas In Old Records Closed After New Norms, Only 30 Get Recognition’NAME MISSING, 3 IN ONE ROOM’: MMA Fighter Varun Sanyal Flags Asian Games Chaos In Nagoya‘Change This Mindset’: SC Gives Tamil Nadu 3 Months To Identify Land For Navodaya SchoolsIndia Responds as US Russia Sanctions Bill Reaches Trump: What It Means for Delhi’s Oil Trade?Last Surviving Maoist Central Committee Member Asim Mandal Arrested In Bengal123PhotostoriesCurd vs buttermilk: Which is better for digestion and gut health?From army wives revealing how Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah helped them battle depression to young generation comparing their show with Friends: When Sonalika Joshi spoke about TMKOC successWhat do Americans actually eat in a day?Brain teaser: You have a keen eye if you can spot the fake chef within 5 seconds!Aditi Rao Hydari makes black-and-ivory look anything but basic with a killer red lip touch10 baby names inspired by music, melody and harmonyMoney plant: Should you keep it in direct sunlight or shade? Here’s the right spot for healthy growthSamay Raina, Medha Shankr married secretly? Deleted Reddit post claims couple tied the knot 2 months agoSonam Kapoor’s hand-blocked anarkali for Ganesh Puja celebrations is a masterclass in old-school Indian glamFrom Vicky Jain to Hina Khan, The Great Khali and more: Richest Bigg Boss contestants over the years and their net worth123Hot PicksTMC Party SymbolRussia sanctions billSurendra KoliNavya ShekhawatCBSE Date SheetShapoor MistryDelhi rapeNSE IPOSwatantra BhardwajTop TrendingAbhishek SharmaJared YoungWWE Money In the BankGold Rates TodayJos ButtlerAsian GamesMohammad RizwanLamar OdomDonald TrumpPM Modi

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SRINAGAR: Ladakhi political groups have called off the proposed week-long protest march in the region and said they will instead hold a “symbolic” one-day march on Sept 23, citing weather conditions and changing political situation in the UT.”Due to prevailing weather conditions with cold nights, we’re making it into a symbolic 20-km march on Sept 23, followed by martyrs’ day event on Sept 24. Inconvenience regretted, look forward to joining you and marching together,” said climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, of Leh Apex Body, one of the two outfits that have been representing Ladakh in talks with Centre on demands for the region.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘TMC Mine Until…’: Mamata Supports Congress In Nandigram Bypoll; Ritabrata’s ‘Cult’ Jibe At DidiStone Pelting At Ganesh Idol Procession, Mosque In Karnataka’s Bhatkal Sparks Tension‘I Called Amit Shah’: Ex-Union Minister Ravneet Bittu Blames AAP After Convoy Attack In PunjabMamata Faction Submits New Choices To EC After TMC Name-Symbol Freeze For Bengal BypollUPI Fee: Govt, Payment Gateways Discuss Ways To Shield Consumers From MDR BurdenNearly 40% Of Uttarakhand Madrasas In Old Records Closed After New Norms, Only 30 Get Recognition’NAME MISSING, 3 IN ONE ROOM’: MMA Fighter Varun Sanyal Flags Asian Games Chaos In Nagoya‘Change This Mindset’: SC Gives Tamil Nadu 3 Months To Identify Land For Navodaya SchoolsIndia Responds as US Russia Sanctions Bill Reaches Trump: What It Means for Delhi’s Oil Trade?Last Surviving Maoist Central Committee Member Asim Mandal Arrested In Bengal123PhotostoriesCurd vs buttermilk: Which is better for digestion and gut health?From army wives revealing how Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah helped them battle depression to young generation comparing their show with Friends: When Sonalika Joshi spoke about TMKOC successWhat do Americans actually eat in a day?Brain teaser: You have a keen eye if you can spot the fake chef within 5 seconds!Aditi Rao Hydari makes black-and-ivory look anything but basic with a killer red lip touch10 baby names inspired by music, melody and harmonyMoney plant: Should you keep it in direct sunlight or shade? Here’s the right spot for healthy growthSamay Raina, Medha Shankr married secretly? Deleted Reddit post claims couple tied the knot 2 months agoSonam Kapoor’s hand-blocked anarkali for Ganesh Puja celebrations is a masterclass in old-school Indian glamFrom Vicky Jain to Hina Khan, The Great Khali and more: Richest Bigg Boss contestants over the years and their net worth123Hot PicksTMC Party SymbolRussia sanctions billSurendra KoliNavya ShekhawatCBSE Date SheetShapoor MistryDelhi rapeNSE IPOSwatantra BhardwajTop TrendingAbhishek SharmaJared YoungWWE Money In the BankGold Rates TodayJos ButtlerAsian GamesMohammad RizwanLamar OdomDonald TrumpPM Modi


Ladakh groups call off week-long protest march

SRINAGAR: Ladakhi political groups have called off the proposed week-long protest march in the region and said they will instead hold a “symbolic” one-day march on Sept 23, citing weather conditions and changing political situation in the UT.“Due to prevailing weather conditions with cold nights, we’re making it into a symbolic 20-km march on Sept 23, followed by martyrs’ day event on Sept 24. Inconvenience regretted, look forward to joining you and marching together,” said climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, of Leh Apex Body, one of the two outfits that have been representing Ladakh in talks with Centre on demands for the region.



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Tangila Islam Asha with her husband, Mohd Abdul Hakim Shabuj, when he was alive. (PC: Tangila Islam Asha) A 26-year-old Bangladeshi woman has alleged that a leading private hospital in Bengaluru withheld her husband’s body for eight days over unpaid dues of Rs 35.79 lakh and retained her passport after he died during treatment. She received the body on Saturday after seeking help from Bangladesh High Commission. The hospital confirmed releasing the body but did not respond to her allegations. The hospital later said the patient had undergone critical care and surgical treatment after arriving with severe breathing difficulty and died despite the efforts of its medical teams.Tangila Islam Asha, 26, of Naugaon, told TOI that she and her husband, Mohammed Abdul Hakim Shabuj, 32, a contractual govt teacher in Bangladesh, arrived in Bengaluru on Sept 5 for treatment of his kidney ailment. Shabuj was admitted to ICU at Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road the next day after developing severe chest pain and breathing difficulty.Asha said Shabuj underwent multiple procedures over the following days and his right leg was amputated on Sept 14 after it developed an infection. His condition subsequently deteriorated and he died around 1.30pm on Sept 18.“During his treatment, I paid a total of Rs 7.5 lakh in several instalments whenever they asked. After his death, I was trying to understand how I would take his body back to Bangladesh when the hospital asked me to pay Rs 35.79 lakh and said the body would not be released without payment,” Asha told TOI.She alleged that the hospital neither provided receipts for the Rs 7.5 lakh nor gave her a prior cost estimate or explanation for the outstanding amount. “I was completely helpless. After they withheld the body for eight days and retained my passport, I wrote to hospital management and also contacted Bangladesh High Commission for help. Finally, they handed over the body on Saturday after making the dues nil,” she said.Mohammed Moqtadir Hossain, Shabuj’s friend from West Bengal, who travelled to Bengaluru after learning of her situation, said local activists helped Asha recover her passport on Friday and complete formalities for taking the body home. “Apart from the Rs 7.5 lakh she had already paid, she paid nothing more,” he told TOI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWhen contacted, a Manipal Hospital office-bearer confirmed that the body was handed over on Saturday but declined to respond to Asha’s allegations. In a statement issued later, the hospital said Shabuj arrived with severe breathing difficulty, was found hypoxic and shifted to ICU, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated twice before being put on ECMO and ventilator support.The hospital said surgeons performed a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy on Sept 9 after tests showed clot formation and blockages in several regions. “Despite best efforts from the critical care as well as the surgical team, the patient succumbed to his illnesses on 18th September 2026,” it said.’Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKalyan DasSpecial Correspondent at The Times of India, Dehradun, covering global issues with special focus on South Asia, defence, crime, sports and human interest stories. Have profound love for knowing about food and cultures around the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Tangila Islam Asha with her husband, Mohd Abdul Hakim Shabuj, when he was alive. (PC: Tangila Islam Asha) A 26-year-old Bangladeshi woman has alleged that a leading private hospital in Bengaluru withheld her husband’s body for eight days over unpaid dues of Rs 35.79 lakh and retained her passport after he died during treatment. She received the body on Saturday after seeking help from Bangladesh High Commission. The hospital confirmed releasing the body but did not respond to her allegations. The hospital later said the patient had undergone critical care and surgical treatment after arriving with severe breathing difficulty and died despite the efforts of its medical teams.Tangila Islam Asha, 26, of Naugaon, told TOI that she and her husband, Mohammed Abdul Hakim Shabuj, 32, a contractual govt teacher in Bangladesh, arrived in Bengaluru on Sept 5 for treatment of his kidney ailment. Shabuj was admitted to ICU at Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road the next day after developing severe chest pain and breathing difficulty.Asha said Shabuj underwent multiple procedures over the following days and his right leg was amputated on Sept 14 after it developed an infection. His condition subsequently deteriorated and he died around 1.30pm on Sept 18.“During his treatment, I paid a total of Rs 7.5 lakh in several instalments whenever they asked. After his death, I was trying to understand how I would take his body back to Bangladesh when the hospital asked me to pay Rs 35.79 lakh and said the body would not be released without payment,” Asha told TOI.She alleged that the hospital neither provided receipts for the Rs 7.5 lakh nor gave her a prior cost estimate or explanation for the outstanding amount. “I was completely helpless. After they withheld the body for eight days and retained my passport, I wrote to hospital management and also contacted Bangladesh High Commission for help. Finally, they handed over the body on Saturday after making the dues nil,” she said.Mohammed Moqtadir Hossain, Shabuj’s friend from West Bengal, who travelled to Bengaluru after learning of her situation, said local activists helped Asha recover her passport on Friday and complete formalities for taking the body home. “Apart from the Rs 7.5 lakh she had already paid, she paid nothing more,” he told TOI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesWhen contacted, a Manipal Hospital office-bearer confirmed that the body was handed over on Saturday but declined to respond to Asha’s allegations. In a statement issued later, the hospital said Shabuj arrived with severe breathing difficulty, was found hypoxic and shifted to ICU, where he suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated twice before being put on ECMO and ventilator support.The hospital said surgeons performed a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy on Sept 9 after tests showed clot formation and blockages in several regions. “Despite best efforts from the critical care as well as the surgical team, the patient succumbed to his illnesses on 18th September 2026,” it said.’Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKalyan DasSpecial Correspondent at The Times of India, Dehradun, covering global issues with special focus on South Asia, defence, crime, sports and human interest stories. Have profound love for knowing about food and cultures around the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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Sunil Sharma meets HM Amit Shah in New Delhi SRINAGAR: A day after CM Omar Abdullah moved an assembly resolution for restoration of J&K’s statehood with a reference to a similar document of the year 2000 on autonomy, BJP leader of opposition Sunil Sharma met Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday for “advice” even as PDP upped the ante and sought an amendment to condemn Article 370’s abrogation.Vowing to block the resolution, Sharma said Shah “reaffirmed the Union govt’s unwavering commitment to peace, development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir”.Sharma made it clear that BJP was prepared to debate the statehood restoration document brought by the Omar-led National Conference (NC) govt but would not accept attempts to “smuggle in” issues of Article 370 and the 2000 autonomy resolution.“When the (Omar-led) govt has lost its strength on governance, an attempt is being made to recover that by invoking references designed to stir emotion among the people of Kashmir. At no cost will the so-called autonomy resolution or Article 370 be allowed to become part of this debate,” Sharma said.PDP would have none of it. It called Friday’s resolution “weak” and demanded that the document begin with a denunciation of Article 370’s revocation by the Centre on Aug 5, 2019. PDP legislator Muntazir Mehdi disclosed that he had moved an amendment calling on the House to “express its deep anguish over the unilateral measures” of 2019 and urging the Centre to ensure “immediate restoration of J&K’s full statehood along with its constitutional safeguards”.Omar had moved the resolution amid a BJP backlash to the autonomy reference, with its members ripping up copies amid anti-national chants directed at NC. MLAs of NC ally Congress supported the resolution and confronted rivals. CPM, Peoples Conference and PDP also backed the resolution. The autonomy resolution was passed by the assembly in June 2000 when J&K was a state.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesExplaining the reference to previous resolutions, Omar said the aim was to convey that the House continued to stand by all past decisions. He rejected BJP’s charges, asked “how demanding statehood can be anti-national” and pointed out that statehood was a promise made by the Centre and reaffirmed by PM Narendra Modi at an event where BJP’s Sharma was present.Omar has been under pressure for months now, accused by rivals of dropping demands to restore Article 370 and demanding statehood only. On Saturday, NC spokesperson Tanvir called the resolution a powerful reminder that the party had “not forgotten” its agenda. BJP MLA Devyani Rana accused NC of raking up 25-year-old autonomy demands on the pretext of statehood.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Sunil Sharma meets HM Amit Shah in New Delhi SRINAGAR: A day after CM Omar Abdullah moved an assembly resolution for restoration of J&K’s statehood with a reference to a similar document of the year 2000 on autonomy, BJP leader of opposition Sunil Sharma met Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday for “advice” even as PDP upped the ante and sought an amendment to condemn Article 370’s abrogation.Vowing to block the resolution, Sharma said Shah “reaffirmed the Union govt’s unwavering commitment to peace, development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir”.Sharma made it clear that BJP was prepared to debate the statehood restoration document brought by the Omar-led National Conference (NC) govt but would not accept attempts to “smuggle in” issues of Article 370 and the 2000 autonomy resolution.“When the (Omar-led) govt has lost its strength on governance, an attempt is being made to recover that by invoking references designed to stir emotion among the people of Kashmir. At no cost will the so-called autonomy resolution or Article 370 be allowed to become part of this debate,” Sharma said.PDP would have none of it. It called Friday’s resolution “weak” and demanded that the document begin with a denunciation of Article 370’s revocation by the Centre on Aug 5, 2019. PDP legislator Muntazir Mehdi disclosed that he had moved an amendment calling on the House to “express its deep anguish over the unilateral measures” of 2019 and urging the Centre to ensure “immediate restoration of J&K’s full statehood along with its constitutional safeguards”.Omar had moved the resolution amid a BJP backlash to the autonomy reference, with its members ripping up copies amid anti-national chants directed at NC. MLAs of NC ally Congress supported the resolution and confronted rivals. CPM, Peoples Conference and PDP also backed the resolution. The autonomy resolution was passed by the assembly in June 2000 when J&K was a state.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesExplaining the reference to previous resolutions, Omar said the aim was to convey that the House continued to stand by all past decisions. He rejected BJP’s charges, asked “how demanding statehood can be anti-national” and pointed out that statehood was a promise made by the Centre and reaffirmed by PM Narendra Modi at an event where BJP’s Sharma was present.Omar has been under pressure for months now, accused by rivals of dropping demands to restore Article 370 and demanding statehood only. On Saturday, NC spokesperson Tanvir called the resolution a powerful reminder that the party had “not forgotten” its agenda. BJP MLA Devyani Rana accused NC of raking up 25-year-old autonomy demands on the pretext of statehood.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Commission had issued the statement only after the media reports and nationwide protests seeking Kumar’s removal. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday demanded the immediate suspension of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or prosecution. Their demand comes after the Election Commission issued a fresh statement defending its decisions amid reported differences within the poll body.Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh accused the EC of going into “damage control” mode following an Indian Express report and subsequent media coverage on differences between the three election commissioners. The party alleged that the SIR exercise had led to the “disenfranchisement” of crores of voters and questioned the Commission’s explanation on changes to Form 6, used to add names to electoral rolls.”The ECI’s press note today is too lame, too little, too late,” Congress’ head of media and publicity department Pawan Khera said.Ramesh said the Commission had issued the statement only after the media reports and nationwide protests seeking Kumar’s removal.”It has just issued a wishy-washy Press Note that raises further questions on its intent, integrity, impartiality and credibility,” he said on X.”The ongoing SIR, which has turned out to be a method of massive disenfranchisement of several crores of Indians, must be suspended immediately without delay.”In the meantime, nothing short of the CEC’s resignation or prosecution will suffice,” he said in a two-page statement.Congress questions EC’s explanationThe Election Commission said all SIR orders were issued after approval from all three Election Commissioners. It also said changes to Form 6 had been upheld by the Supreme Court.The Commission further said letters written by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to the Cabinet Secretary were not related to any policy decision of the Commission or its IT division. According to the EC, the letters concerned the functioning of an officer deputed to the poll body.Ramesh said the EC statement did not directly deny the findings reported by the Indian Express.”First, the Press note does not directly deny the story or its findings. It makes a defensive attempt to downplay the same in paragraph 3(i) and 3(ii) but does not say that the allegations are baseless,” he said.On Goa, he said the EC’s response showed that 81 of the 97 deleted voters had already filled Form 6 to be included again in the electoral rolls.”To put this another way, you disenfranchise voters through a broken and corrupt system, and when caught say that they are being added back,” Ramesh said.Khera also alleged that the EC had not addressed objections raised by the other two Election Commissioners over changes to Form 6.”That objection was not resolved then. It was not resolved since. And this ‘mother of all objections’ has still not been addressed – even after today’s so-called unanimous meeting,” Khera said on X.”So until the ECI answers this specific legal objection, no length of press notes, no claim of unanimity or any other clownery can save Gyanesh Kumar Gupta’s face,” he said.”It is still not too late for him. He should resign and turn approver, or prepare for jail,” Khera added.Congress raises questions over voter deletionsRamesh also questioned the EC’s reliance on a Supreme Court order of May 27 saying the order had preceded the recent media revelations.”The order which was pronounced well before the recent revelations will not save the CEC for the malicious deletion of targeted voters, for the incompetence that has resulted in citizens being wiped off the roles, for the crores lost in both expenses and man-hours due to the confusion and harassment caused to entire families,” he said.He also questioned the extension of voter registration deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra and asked what would happen to voters in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and West Bengal.”What happens to the voters disenfranchised in Bihar and West Bengal? Do the voters of these and other states who were deleted due to one man’s corruption not deserve answers,” Ramesh said.The Congress leader also criticised the EC’s decision to involve experts from IITs and IIITs to review the ECINET portal and submit a report on whether it complies with rules.”Aside from being a meaningless safeguard (since the concern is not about the technical soundness but rather the centralization which prevents voter addition at ground level) this confirms the concerns attributed to the two other Election Commissioners per the reportage,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDispute over Gen Z votersRamesh alleged that the EC’s statement had not addressed concerns over the deletion of young voters.”The Press Note avoids answering the questions regarding the deliberate targeting of Gen Z voters. The ECI has no answer for its targeted disenfranchisement, beginning mid-July through wholly illegal changes made to Form 6 (unseen and unapproved by Parliament) which placed an unfair burden on them to find and disclose their parents and/or grandparents’ details,” he said.He listed several allegations that he said required answers, including the “unilateral nature of decision making by the CEC”, alleged bias against the Opposition, alleged participation in “vote chori”, the enrolment of Gen Z voters and alleged negligence in the deletion and updating of electoral rolls.Ramesh said the CEC could not avoid scrutiny through bureaucratic procedures.”He stands exposed and is now petrified as an entire country seeks to hold him accountable,” Ramesh said.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 MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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? 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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Commission had issued the statement only after the media reports and nationwide protests seeking Kumar’s removal. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday demanded the immediate suspension of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or prosecution. Their demand comes after the Election Commission issued a fresh statement defending its decisions amid reported differences within the poll body.Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh accused the EC of going into “damage control” mode following an Indian Express report and subsequent media coverage on differences between the three election commissioners. The party alleged that the SIR exercise had led to the “disenfranchisement” of crores of voters and questioned the Commission’s explanation on changes to Form 6, used to add names to electoral rolls.”The ECI’s press note today is too lame, too little, too late,” Congress’ head of media and publicity department Pawan Khera said.Ramesh said the Commission had issued the statement only after the media reports and nationwide protests seeking Kumar’s removal.”It has just issued a wishy-washy Press Note that raises further questions on its intent, integrity, impartiality and credibility,” he said on X.”The ongoing SIR, which has turned out to be a method of massive disenfranchisement of several crores of Indians, must be suspended immediately without delay.”In the meantime, nothing short of the CEC’s resignation or prosecution will suffice,” he said in a two-page statement.Congress questions EC’s explanationThe Election Commission said all SIR orders were issued after approval from all three Election Commissioners. It also said changes to Form 6 had been upheld by the Supreme Court.The Commission further said letters written by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to the Cabinet Secretary were not related to any policy decision of the Commission or its IT division. According to the EC, the letters concerned the functioning of an officer deputed to the poll body.Ramesh said the EC statement did not directly deny the findings reported by the Indian Express.”First, the Press note does not directly deny the story or its findings. It makes a defensive attempt to downplay the same in paragraph 3(i) and 3(ii) but does not say that the allegations are baseless,” he said.On Goa, he said the EC’s response showed that 81 of the 97 deleted voters had already filled Form 6 to be included again in the electoral rolls.”To put this another way, you disenfranchise voters through a broken and corrupt system, and when caught say that they are being added back,” Ramesh said.Khera also alleged that the EC had not addressed objections raised by the other two Election Commissioners over changes to Form 6.”That objection was not resolved then. It was not resolved since. And this ‘mother of all objections’ has still not been addressed – even after today’s so-called unanimous meeting,” Khera said on X.”So until the ECI answers this specific legal objection, no length of press notes, no claim of unanimity or any other clownery can save Gyanesh Kumar Gupta’s face,” he said.”It is still not too late for him. He should resign and turn approver, or prepare for jail,” Khera added.Congress raises questions over voter deletionsRamesh also questioned the EC’s reliance on a Supreme Court order of May 27 saying the order had preceded the recent media revelations.”The order which was pronounced well before the recent revelations will not save the CEC for the malicious deletion of targeted voters, for the incompetence that has resulted in citizens being wiped off the roles, for the crores lost in both expenses and man-hours due to the confusion and harassment caused to entire families,” he said.He also questioned the extension of voter registration deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra and asked what would happen to voters in Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar and West Bengal.”What happens to the voters disenfranchised in Bihar and West Bengal? Do the voters of these and other states who were deleted due to one man’s corruption not deserve answers,” Ramesh said.The Congress leader also criticised the EC’s decision to involve experts from IITs and IIITs to review the ECINET portal and submit a report on whether it complies with rules.”Aside from being a meaningless safeguard (since the concern is not about the technical soundness but rather the centralization which prevents voter addition at ground level) this confirms the concerns attributed to the two other Election Commissioners per the reportage,” he said.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesDispute over Gen Z votersRamesh alleged that the EC’s statement had not addressed concerns over the deletion of young voters.”The Press Note avoids answering the questions regarding the deliberate targeting of Gen Z voters. The ECI has no answer for its targeted disenfranchisement, beginning mid-July through wholly illegal changes made to Form 6 (unseen and unapproved by Parliament) which placed an unfair burden on them to find and disclose their parents and/or grandparents’ details,” he said.He listed several allegations that he said required answers, including the “unilateral nature of decision making by the CEC”, alleged bias against the Opposition, alleged participation in “vote chori”, the enrolment of Gen Z voters and alleged negligence in the deletion and updating of electoral rolls.Ramesh said the CEC could not avoid scrutiny through bureaucratic procedures.”He stands exposed and is now petrified as an entire country seeks to hold him accountable,” Ramesh said.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 MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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Jaishankar addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN, defends India’s right to defend against terrorism NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar defended India’s right to defend itself against terorism, while taking a veiled jab at Pakistan about “spreading misinformation” and that it’s on “the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways”.While not naming directly Pakistan or its PM Shehbaz Sharif, Jaishankar called out “a serial practioner of terrorism” who “misrepresented facts”. “Mr president (UN), yesterday, a serial practioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this Assembly. Arguments were invoked to normalise and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand,” he said at UNGA.”Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised,” he added. Further calling for action against terorrism, the EAM said, “”A persistent threat to peace has been the scourge of terrorism. That this could be state-sponsored, with cross-border purpose, makes it a direct affront to the global order. Governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable. There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Its financial aspects, in particular, should be exposed and should be countered.”Jaishnakar further defended India’s right to call out terrorism saying, “Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism. And understandings premised on that will naturally be called into question. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways.”Jaishankar further addressed ongoing conflicts. Emphasising the broader global impact, he said, “Countries far from conflicts are being penalized for no fault of theirs. Those most impacted often have the least say. This assembly must face up to the true state of affairs. This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines The targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers, transiting international waterways, is simply unacceptable. India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.”Further quoting the Prime Minister’s stance on the matter, Jaishankar said, “As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now to an end to war. India supports ongoing initiatives to bring peace.”Additionally, he highlighted the imperative of safeguarding maritime crews and ensuring stable distribution channels for food grains and energy resources, affirming India’s readiness to assist in mitigating global food and energy security challenges.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTrisha MahajanTrisha Mahajan is a journalist with The Times of India digital, with keen interest in covering business and corporate affairs. She also reports on key national and world developments and global news trends. A keen reader with a strong interest in storytelling that adds context, clarity, and depth to complex issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

Jaishankar addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN, defends India’s right to defend against terrorism NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar defended India’s right to defend itself against terorism, while taking a veiled jab at Pakistan about “spreading misinformation” and that it’s on “the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways”.While not naming directly Pakistan or its PM Shehbaz Sharif, Jaishankar called out “a serial practioner of terrorism” who “misrepresented facts”. “Mr president (UN), yesterday, a serial practioner of terrorism misrepresented facts before this Assembly. Arguments were invoked to normalise and claim immunity from its consequences. That will not stand,” he said at UNGA.”Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised,” he added. Further calling for action against terorrism, the EAM said, “”A persistent threat to peace has been the scourge of terrorism. That this could be state-sponsored, with cross-border purpose, makes it a direct affront to the global order. Governments indulging in such practices must be held accountable. There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. Its financial aspects, in particular, should be exposed and should be countered.”Jaishnakar further defended India’s right to call out terrorism saying, “Friendship and goodwill cannot coexist with terrorism. And understandings premised on that will naturally be called into question. It is for the perpetrator of terrorism to mend its ways.”Jaishankar further addressed ongoing conflicts. Emphasising the broader global impact, he said, “Countries far from conflicts are being penalized for no fault of theirs. Those most impacted often have the least say. This assembly must face up to the true state of affairs. This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines The targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers, transiting international waterways, is simply unacceptable. India calls upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.”Further quoting the Prime Minister’s stance on the matter, Jaishankar said, “As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, endless war must give way now to an end to war. India supports ongoing initiatives to bring peace.”Additionally, he highlighted the imperative of safeguarding maritime crews and ensuring stable distribution channels for food grains and energy resources, affirming India’s readiness to assist in mitigating global food and energy security challenges.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTrisha MahajanTrisha Mahajan is a journalist with The Times of India digital, with keen interest in covering business and corporate affairs. She also reports on key national and world developments and global news trends. A keen reader with a strong interest in storytelling that adds context, clarity, and depth to complex issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAlbanese Hails Modi’s Energy Push: ‘India Gave More People Access Than Anywhere In History’Delhi Skeleton Mystery: Skeleton-Like Structure Found During BJP Cleanliness Drive | Watch‘Padma Bhushan Is Small, Make Him PM’: Pawan Khera Mocks BJP’s Praise For Gyanesh KumarSkyStriker, 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 Explained123Hot PicksMandeep K BhandariBank strikeNEET PG ResultGold Rate TodayOctober 2026 School HolidaysOdisha school textbooksPunjab school holidayMadurantakam bypollDr MonishCBSE Date SheetTop TrendingNorma DumontRahul GandhiPowerball JackpotDelhi Hit and RunUP EncounterDonald TrumpPM ModiNaomi OsakaJoe ThomasSupreme Court

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