September 1, 2026

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay. Credit: ANI NEW DELHI: An unexpected roadside interaction between Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay and an elderly woman became one of the notable moments of his visit to Mettur in Salem district on Tuesday. During the brief encounter, Vijay gifted the woman his own pair of Christian Dior sunglasses.Vijay was in Salem to open the gates of the Mettur Dam and release water for Samba cultivation in the Cauvery Delta. News agency PTI reported that after inspecting the Mettur hydroelectric power station and opening the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir, he made an unscheduled stop at a roadside farm while travelling towards Salem airport.According to local accounts, Vijay noticed a group of elderly women working in the fields and stepped out of his vehicle to meet them.Chellam, an elderly resident of the area, walked towards the chief minister and held his hand.“He asked me if I had eaten,” Chellam recalled. “I told him I hadn’t, because I was waiting to see him first.”During the interaction, Vijay asked her name and enquired about her well-being before walking with her around the garden and the nearby cattle shed belonging to local farmer Palanisamy.Chellam said the chief minister then offered her the sunglasses he was carrying. She later appeared in the oversized frames, walking beside Vijay with her hand on his arm and waving to people gathered along the route as he led her through the crowd.“I was surprised when he came and stood next to me. I told him how happy I was to see him, and he gifted me these sunglasses,” she told PTI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to Chellam, Vijay’s gesture reminded her of his days in cinema.“He looked just like he does in his movies,” she said. “I was so happy I told him I would defend him if anyone ever tried to harm him.”The chief minister spent around 15 minutes at the farm, during which he distributed dhotis and sarees to the host family and discussed local agricultural issues, including the government’s decision to increase the milk procurement price to Rs 44.Chellam later said Vijay also urged her to have food. “He told me he had already eaten and insisted that I go and eat,” she said.Videos of the interaction were subsequently shared widely on social media. The visit also comes as the state government focuses on water release for Samba cultivation, with the Mettur Dam playing a key role in irrigation across the Cauvery Delta during the cropping season.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosS-400 vs Project Kusha: Why India Wants More Russian Air Defence Despite Atmanirbharta’Historic Win’: CJP Hails Supreme Court Verdict As Apex Court Quashes FIRs, Sept 5 CancelledMamata Banerjee’s Niece Found Dead In Birbhum Home, Post-Mortem Underway To Establish CauseSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay. Credit: ANI NEW DELHI: An unexpected roadside interaction between Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay and an elderly woman became one of the notable moments of his visit to Mettur in Salem district on Tuesday. During the brief encounter, Vijay gifted the woman his own pair of Christian Dior sunglasses.Vijay was in Salem to open the gates of the Mettur Dam and release water for Samba cultivation in the Cauvery Delta. News agency PTI reported that after inspecting the Mettur hydroelectric power station and opening the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir, he made an unscheduled stop at a roadside farm while travelling towards Salem airport.According to local accounts, Vijay noticed a group of elderly women working in the fields and stepped out of his vehicle to meet them.Chellam, an elderly resident of the area, walked towards the chief minister and held his hand.“He asked me if I had eaten,” Chellam recalled. “I told him I hadn’t, because I was waiting to see him first.”During the interaction, Vijay asked her name and enquired about her well-being before walking with her around the garden and the nearby cattle shed belonging to local farmer Palanisamy.Chellam said the chief minister then offered her the sunglasses he was carrying. She later appeared in the oversized frames, walking beside Vijay with her hand on his arm and waving to people gathered along the route as he led her through the crowd.“I was surprised when he came and stood next to me. I told him how happy I was to see him, and he gifted me these sunglasses,” she told PTI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to Chellam, Vijay’s gesture reminded her of his days in cinema.“He looked just like he does in his movies,” she said. “I was so happy I told him I would defend him if anyone ever tried to harm him.”The chief minister spent around 15 minutes at the farm, during which he distributed dhotis and sarees to the host family and discussed local agricultural issues, including the government’s decision to increase the milk procurement price to Rs 44.Chellam later said Vijay also urged her to have food. “He told me he had already eaten and insisted that I go and eat,” she said.Videos of the interaction were subsequently shared widely on social media. The visit also comes as the state government focuses on water release for Samba cultivation, with the Mettur Dam playing a key role in irrigation across the Cauvery Delta during the cropping season.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosS-400 vs Project Kusha: Why India Wants More Russian Air Defence Despite Atmanirbharta’Historic Win’: CJP Hails Supreme Court Verdict As Apex Court Quashes FIRs, Sept 5 CancelledMamata Banerjee’s Niece Found Dead In Birbhum Home, Post-Mortem Underway To Establish CauseSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James


Watch: CM Vijay steps out of convoy, gifts elderly woman his Dior glasses in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay. Credit: ANI

NEW DELHI: An unexpected roadside interaction between Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay and an elderly woman became one of the notable moments of his visit to Mettur in Salem district on Tuesday. During the brief encounter, Vijay gifted the woman his own pair of Christian Dior sunglasses.Vijay was in Salem to open the gates of the Mettur Dam and release water for Samba cultivation in the Cauvery Delta. News agency PTI reported that after inspecting the Mettur hydroelectric power station and opening the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir, he made an unscheduled stop at a roadside farm while travelling towards Salem airport.According to local accounts, Vijay noticed a group of elderly women working in the fields and stepped out of his vehicle to meet them.Chellam, an elderly resident of the area, walked towards the chief minister and held his hand.“He asked me if I had eaten,” Chellam recalled. “I told him I hadn’t, because I was waiting to see him first.”During the interaction, Vijay asked her name and enquired about her well-being before walking with her around the garden and the nearby cattle shed belonging to local farmer Palanisamy.Chellam said the chief minister then offered her the sunglasses he was carrying. She later appeared in the oversized frames, walking beside Vijay with her hand on his arm and waving to people gathered along the route as he led her through the crowd.“I was surprised when he came and stood next to me. I told him how happy I was to see him, and he gifted me these sunglasses,” she told PTI.

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Secretly filmed by Meta glasses: Why a Delhi man is demanding Rs 2.05 crore (Reuters image) A Delhi man has sent a legal notice to an Instagram creator and Meta Platforms after he was allegedly harassed and covertly filmed at a café using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.The footage was subsequently posted on Instagram and viewed more than 4.19 lakh times.He has demanded that the video be removed, an apology issued and ₹2.05 crore paid in damages.But the notice, issued on August 24, goes beyond the actions of the creator. It seeks to hold Meta responsible in two capacities: as the owner of Instagram, which allegedly continued to host the reel after receiving complaints, and as the technology company behind the design and marketing of the camera-equipped glasses used to record it.The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), which provided the victim pro bono legal assistance, says this is, to its knowledge, among the first legal actions in India to directly raise the liability of a smart-glasses maker for harm allegedly enabled by its product design.The case has not been decided by a court yet and the claims in the notice, so far, remain allegations. The man, whose identity has been withheld and who is referred to as X, is represented by advocate Apar Gupta.So, what allegedly happened?According to IFF, X was sitting alone at a Costa Coffee outlet in Delhi’s Khan Market on July 24 when a stranger, who eventually turned out to be a creator, approached him.The creator allegedly pestered and insulted him with unsolicited questions and remarks and followed him inside the café. X complained to the staff and eventually moved to another seating area to get away from the unpleasant situation thrust upon him.What he did not know, IFF says, was that the encounter was allegedly being recorded through Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. One or more of the creator’s associates also allegedly filmed the exchange from other angles without his knowledge or consent.The footage was posted as an Instagram reel on July 26. By August 6, according to IFF, it had received more than 4.19 lakh views, approximately 15,700 likes and over 500 comments.X reported both the video and the account to Instagram on July 27. According to IFF, the reporting menu offered no category specifically covering invasion of privacy or non-consensual recording. The victim, therefore, selected “bullying or harassment”.He also submitted a separate complaint to Meta’s grievance officer for India under “Privacy violation — sharing of personal information or representation without consent.”Instagram subsequently informed him that the reported material doesn’t go against its “Community Standards”, according to IFF.Why has Meta been named?The most significant part of the notice concerns the glasses themselves.Developed by Meta in partnership with eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban Meta glasses resemble conventional eyewear but allow users to take photographs and record videos hands-free. They were launched in India in May 2025 at a starting price of ₹29,900.The glasses have a small white capture LED on the front that indicates when the camera is being used. The notice argues that this warning is inadequate because it can easily be missed by someone who does not know that the glasses contain a camera.“The recording indicator on the said devices is inadequate and easily overlooked, and the harm that eventuated to our client is due to a design that is foreseeably enabled,” the notice states.It argues that Meta “owed and breached a duty of care” to X and was negligent in contributing to the alleged intrusion into his privacy.Crucially, the notice argues that this liability arises from Meta’s own product-design and marketing decisions and is therefore separate from its role as an online intermediary.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSection 79 of the Information Technology Act provides conditional protection to online intermediaries against liability for content posted by third parties. The notice contends that such protection cannot extend to a negligence claim arising from Meta’s own product design.That argument has not yet been tested in court.The Delhi dispute could now test a different question: whether a company that makes wearable cameras has a responsibility not merely to indicate that recording is taking place, but to ensure that an unsuspecting bystander can reasonably understand that they are being filmed.To know more, subscribe and read the full story on TOI+ —Secretly filmed by Meta glasses: Why a Delhi man is demanding Rs 2.05 croreWhat Meta says about safeguards against covert recordingWhat studies have found about privacy and camera-equipped glassesWhat the legal notice demands from Meta and the Instagram creatorGet the latest India News and Live updates. 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Secretly filmed by Meta glasses: Why a Delhi man is demanding Rs 2.05 crore (Reuters image) A Delhi man has sent a legal notice to an Instagram creator and Meta Platforms after he was allegedly harassed and covertly filmed at a café using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.The footage was subsequently posted on Instagram and viewed more than 4.19 lakh times.He has demanded that the video be removed, an apology issued and ₹2.05 crore paid in damages.But the notice, issued on August 24, goes beyond the actions of the creator. It seeks to hold Meta responsible in two capacities: as the owner of Instagram, which allegedly continued to host the reel after receiving complaints, and as the technology company behind the design and marketing of the camera-equipped glasses used to record it.The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), which provided the victim pro bono legal assistance, says this is, to its knowledge, among the first legal actions in India to directly raise the liability of a smart-glasses maker for harm allegedly enabled by its product design.The case has not been decided by a court yet and the claims in the notice, so far, remain allegations. The man, whose identity has been withheld and who is referred to as X, is represented by advocate Apar Gupta.So, what allegedly happened?According to IFF, X was sitting alone at a Costa Coffee outlet in Delhi’s Khan Market on July 24 when a stranger, who eventually turned out to be a creator, approached him.The creator allegedly pestered and insulted him with unsolicited questions and remarks and followed him inside the café. X complained to the staff and eventually moved to another seating area to get away from the unpleasant situation thrust upon him.What he did not know, IFF says, was that the encounter was allegedly being recorded through Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. One or more of the creator’s associates also allegedly filmed the exchange from other angles without his knowledge or consent.The footage was posted as an Instagram reel on July 26. By August 6, according to IFF, it had received more than 4.19 lakh views, approximately 15,700 likes and over 500 comments.X reported both the video and the account to Instagram on July 27. According to IFF, the reporting menu offered no category specifically covering invasion of privacy or non-consensual recording. The victim, therefore, selected “bullying or harassment”.He also submitted a separate complaint to Meta’s grievance officer for India under “Privacy violation — sharing of personal information or representation without consent.”Instagram subsequently informed him that the reported material doesn’t go against its “Community Standards”, according to IFF.Why has Meta been named?The most significant part of the notice concerns the glasses themselves.Developed by Meta in partnership with eyewear company EssilorLuxottica, Ray-Ban Meta glasses resemble conventional eyewear but allow users to take photographs and record videos hands-free. They were launched in India in May 2025 at a starting price of ₹29,900.The glasses have a small white capture LED on the front that indicates when the camera is being used. The notice argues that this warning is inadequate because it can easily be missed by someone who does not know that the glasses contain a camera.“The recording indicator on the said devices is inadequate and easily overlooked, and the harm that eventuated to our client is due to a design that is foreseeably enabled,” the notice states.It argues that Meta “owed and breached a duty of care” to X and was negligent in contributing to the alleged intrusion into his privacy.Crucially, the notice argues that this liability arises from Meta’s own product-design and marketing decisions and is therefore separate from its role as an online intermediary.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSection 79 of the Information Technology Act provides conditional protection to online intermediaries against liability for content posted by third parties. The notice contends that such protection cannot extend to a negligence claim arising from Meta’s own product design.That argument has not yet been tested in court.The Delhi dispute could now test a different question: whether a company that makes wearable cameras has a responsibility not merely to indicate that recording is taking place, but to ensure that an unsuspecting bystander can reasonably understand that they are being filmed.To know more, subscribe and read the full story on TOI+ —Secretly filmed by Meta glasses: Why a Delhi man is demanding Rs 2.05 croreWhat Meta says about safeguards against covert recordingWhat studies have found about privacy and camera-equipped glassesWhat the legal notice demands from Meta and the Instagram creatorGet the latest India News and Live updates. 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Vamsikrishna 0
PM Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Framing security as a non-negotiable prerequisite for regional progress, PM Narendra Modi delivered a thinly veiled warning to Pakistan over state-sponsored terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. With Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in attendance, Modi said countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy, and provide shelter and support to terrorists, must be sent a strong message that terrorism can never be a strategic asset for anyone.The remarks by PM on this occasion are significant also because of the timing. Pakistan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO from Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday and will host the heads of state summit next year, for which it will invite Modi along with all other leaders.Modi made the remarks while expanding on India’s SCO vision – Security, Connectivity and Opportunity – that he articulated in Tianjin last year. With Chinese President Xi Jinping also present, the PM reiterated India’s position that all connectivity initiatives must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States as this is also the “fundamental spirit” of the SCO Charter.Modi said that terrorism continued to pose a serious challenge to humanity and it’s important to not remain confined to an action-reaction approach in the fight against the menace.“We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens. We must speak with one voice and make it clear that there can be no place for double standards on this serious issue,” said the PM, without naming Pakistan as the SCO Charter doesn’t allow members to raise bilateral differences.India and Pakistan together joined the China-dominated Eurasian grouping as full members in 2017. For India, the security-oriented SCO has served as a platform not just to assert its strategic autonomy but also flag regional risks from state-sponsored terrorism.Modi said that the bloc’s shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also closely linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan and that India will continue to contribute to the development and provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of the country.Modi also addressed the West Asia crisis in his remarks saying it was affecting energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains around the world and recalling his message earlier that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield. “The countries of the Global South bear the greatest brunt of such disruptions. Therefore, India has consistently called for all tensions and conflicts to be resolved not on the battlefield, but through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.While underlining the importance India attaches to SCO, Modi said that at a time the world is passing through uncertainty and instability, the Organisation must transform the shared geography into shared opportunities and bring about positive change in the lives of the people. Describing SCO as a confluence of great civilisations, cultures, and ideas, he said that over the next 25 years, people-to-people ties should remain at the heart of cooperation among the member-states.“The true measure of our success should be how many new opportunities our efforts create for young people, how many new markets open up for our entrepreneurs, how much our farmers benefit from technology, and how much better the lives of our citizens become,” said the PM.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to an Indian readout of Modi’s participation in the summit, Modi stated that strong and trusted connectivity initiatives were important for the group’s shared progress and prosperity.“Underlining that India supports connectivity efforts that link markets, enhance trade and open new opportunities for development, he reiterated that such efforts should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. He further elaborated that technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, start-ups and people-to-people initiatives open immense opportunities for people in the SCO countries,” said the Indian readout.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused Arrested123Photostories“Drinking lemon water burns belly fat”: What this popular morning ritual can and can’t doFrom Snehan to Sabarinathan: Where are the Bigg Boss Tamil runners-up now?Think you have a weak jawline? 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PM Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Framing security as a non-negotiable prerequisite for regional progress, PM Narendra Modi delivered a thinly veiled warning to Pakistan over state-sponsored terrorism at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. With Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in attendance, Modi said countries that use terrorism as an instrument of state policy, and provide shelter and support to terrorists, must be sent a strong message that terrorism can never be a strategic asset for anyone.The remarks by PM on this occasion are significant also because of the timing. Pakistan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO from Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday and will host the heads of state summit next year, for which it will invite Modi along with all other leaders.Modi made the remarks while expanding on India’s SCO vision – Security, Connectivity and Opportunity – that he articulated in Tianjin last year. With Chinese President Xi Jinping also present, the PM reiterated India’s position that all connectivity initiatives must respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States as this is also the “fundamental spirit” of the SCO Charter.Modi said that terrorism continued to pose a serious challenge to humanity and it’s important to not remain confined to an action-reaction approach in the fight against the menace.“We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorist financing, recruitment, radicalisation, and safe havens. We must speak with one voice and make it clear that there can be no place for double standards on this serious issue,” said the PM, without naming Pakistan as the SCO Charter doesn’t allow members to raise bilateral differences.India and Pakistan together joined the China-dominated Eurasian grouping as full members in 2017. For India, the security-oriented SCO has served as a platform not just to assert its strategic autonomy but also flag regional risks from state-sponsored terrorism.Modi said that the bloc’s shared aspiration for a peaceful and secure Eurasia is also closely linked to peace and stability in Afghanistan and that India will continue to contribute to the development and provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of the country.Modi also addressed the West Asia crisis in his remarks saying it was affecting energy security, maritime trade, and supply chains around the world and recalling his message earlier that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield. “The countries of the Global South bear the greatest brunt of such disruptions. Therefore, India has consistently called for all tensions and conflicts to be resolved not on the battlefield, but through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.While underlining the importance India attaches to SCO, Modi said that at a time the world is passing through uncertainty and instability, the Organisation must transform the shared geography into shared opportunities and bring about positive change in the lives of the people. Describing SCO as a confluence of great civilisations, cultures, and ideas, he said that over the next 25 years, people-to-people ties should remain at the heart of cooperation among the member-states.“The true measure of our success should be how many new opportunities our efforts create for young people, how many new markets open up for our entrepreneurs, how much our farmers benefit from technology, and how much better the lives of our citizens become,” said the PM.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAccording to an Indian readout of Modi’s participation in the summit, Modi stated that strong and trusted connectivity initiatives were important for the group’s shared progress and prosperity.“Underlining that India supports connectivity efforts that link markets, enhance trade and open new opportunities for development, he reiterated that such efforts should respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. He further elaborated that technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, start-ups and people-to-people initiatives open immense opportunities for people in the SCO countries,” said the Indian readout.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused Arrested123Photostories“Drinking lemon water burns belly fat”: What this popular morning ritual can and can’t doFrom Snehan to Sabarinathan: Where are the Bigg Boss Tamil runners-up now?Think you have a weak jawline? Your chin could be the real reason your face looks less definedJanmashtami 2026 outfit ideas: Celebrity-inspired Indian looks to channel your inner RadhaEmpty shampoo bottles? 7 clever ways to reuse them instead of throwing them away7 plants that came from UK and have become invasive in IndiaBigg Boss 20 rumoured contestants: From Karan Wahi to Arishfa Khan and Mary Kom, here’s a look at the celebrities rumoured to enter the Salman Khan-hosted showBadshah-Isha Rikhi to Ali Merchant-Sara Khan: Bollywood’s shortest celebrity marriagesBigg Boss Tamil 10: From Naveen Kumar to reviewer Prashanth, rumoured male contestants of Vijay Sethupathi-hosted showFrom quitting his well-paying engineering job in Dubai to Sonalika Joshi recommending him for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah; When Mandar Chandwadkar recalled his journey123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James

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The CJP on Tuesday called off its September 5 march after the Supreme Court quashed FIRs against students who participated in NEET protests.BJP and Congress clashed over India’s economic performance after GDP growth touched 7.8% in Q1 FY27. Congress questioned whether the growth was translating into jobs.PM Modi at the SCO Summit called for a united fight against terrorism, urging countries to dismantle its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe-haven networks. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s 28-year-old niece, Bristy Mukherjee, was found dead at her home in Birbhum on Tuesday, with police treating the case as suicide. Karachi’s power crisis has worsened, with residents in several areas reporting outages lasting up to 24 hours. Here are the top 5 stories of the day:CJP calls off Sept 5 march after SC quashes all FIRs against protesters on Centre’s requestThe Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Tuesday withdrew its call for a September 5 march after the Supreme Court, at the Centre’s request, quashed FIRs registered against students involved in NEET protests. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the Centre remains committed to its three assurances to CJP leaders, not pursuing FIRs registered between July 20 and 25, not filing fresh FIRs in connection with the protests, and providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide allegedly in connection with the NEET paper leak. Read full storyIndia’s GDP growth: BJP hails ‘economic resilience’; Congress asks where are the jobs?The BJP and Congress traded barbs over India’s economy after GDP grew 7.8% in the April-June 2026 quarter. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad hailed the figure as a sign of economic resilience despite global disruptions, while Congress leader Pawan Khera argued that GDP growth must translate into jobs, higher incomes and better prospects for youth, farmers and workers. Read full story’No double standards on terrorism’: PM Modi’s message at SCO summit in presence of Pak PM Shehbaz SharifPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a united and uncompromising fight against terrorism at the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, saying there can be no “double standards” on the issue. He urged the dismantling of terrorism’s entire ecosystem, including financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens, and called for stronger action against countries that support terrorists. Read full storyMamata Banerjee’s niece Bristy Mukherjee found dead at Birbhum house; cops suspect suicideBristy Mukherjee, niece of TMC chief and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, was found dead at her home in Kusumba village in Birbhum’s Rampurhat area on Tuesday. Police said her body was recovered from a room on the second floor and the death is being treated as a suspected suicide. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHer body has been sent for post-mortem examination, with further investigation underway. Read full storyPakistan power crisis deepens as Karachi reels from 24-hour blackoutsKarachi is facing an intensifying electricity crisis, with residents in areas including North Karachi, Nazimabad and Gulistan-i-Jauhar reporting 16 to 24 hours of daily outages. Rights activists said prolonged loadshedding is disrupting education, work, household activities and access to water, while protests and traffic disruptions have also been reported. Read full storyGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused Arrested123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James

The CJP on Tuesday called off its September 5 march after the Supreme Court quashed FIRs against students who participated in NEET protests.BJP and Congress clashed over India’s economic performance after GDP growth touched 7.8% in Q1 FY27. Congress questioned whether the growth was translating into jobs.PM Modi at the SCO Summit called for a united fight against terrorism, urging countries to dismantle its financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe-haven networks. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s 28-year-old niece, Bristy Mukherjee, was found dead at her home in Birbhum on Tuesday, with police treating the case as suicide. Karachi’s power crisis has worsened, with residents in several areas reporting outages lasting up to 24 hours. Here are the top 5 stories of the day:CJP calls off Sept 5 march after SC quashes all FIRs against protesters on Centre’s requestThe Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Tuesday withdrew its call for a September 5 march after the Supreme Court, at the Centre’s request, quashed FIRs registered against students involved in NEET protests. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the Centre remains committed to its three assurances to CJP leaders, not pursuing FIRs registered between July 20 and 25, not filing fresh FIRs in connection with the protests, and providing compensation to families of students who died by suicide allegedly in connection with the NEET paper leak. Read full storyIndia’s GDP growth: BJP hails ‘economic resilience’; Congress asks where are the jobs?The BJP and Congress traded barbs over India’s economy after GDP grew 7.8% in the April-June 2026 quarter. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad hailed the figure as a sign of economic resilience despite global disruptions, while Congress leader Pawan Khera argued that GDP growth must translate into jobs, higher incomes and better prospects for youth, farmers and workers. Read full story’No double standards on terrorism’: PM Modi’s message at SCO summit in presence of Pak PM Shehbaz SharifPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a united and uncompromising fight against terrorism at the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, saying there can be no “double standards” on the issue. He urged the dismantling of terrorism’s entire ecosystem, including financing, recruitment, radicalisation and safe havens, and called for stronger action against countries that support terrorists. Read full storyMamata Banerjee’s niece Bristy Mukherjee found dead at Birbhum house; cops suspect suicideBristy Mukherjee, niece of TMC chief and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, was found dead at her home in Kusumba village in Birbhum’s Rampurhat area on Tuesday. Police said her body was recovered from a room on the second floor and the death is being treated as a suspected suicide. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHer body has been sent for post-mortem examination, with further investigation underway. Read full storyPakistan power crisis deepens as Karachi reels from 24-hour blackoutsKarachi is facing an intensifying electricity crisis, with residents in areas including North Karachi, Nazimabad and Gulistan-i-Jauhar reporting 16 to 24 hours of daily outages. Rights activists said prolonged loadshedding is disrupting education, work, household activities and access to water, while protests and traffic disruptions have also been reported. Read full storyGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused Arrested123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James

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NEW DELHI: The political row over an alleged “fish feast” at a Congress event in Ayodhya escalated on Tuesday, with Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai filing a defamation case against Yogi Adityanath, alleging that the chief minister’s remarks had “hurt his faith.”Rai approached the MP-MLA court in Lucknow, alleging that the chief minister’s remarks were baseless and had hurt his religious sentiments. He also denied eating fish or attending any such feast, saying he is a vegetarian.“We do not eat non-vegetarian food. The allegation of a fish feast against me is wrong. The chief minister’s statement has hurt my faith,” Rai told ANI.He said he had moved the court seeking legal action and challenged Adityanath to provide evidence to support the allegation. “Chief minister Yogi Adityanath should provide proof of the fish feast. That is why I have filed a defamation case,” Rai added.The remarks came days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on Rai over the alleged incident at an Ayodhya programme organised by members of the Nishad community.The controversy erupted after a video showing fish being prepared at the Congress event surfaced on social media during the month of Shravan, when many Hindus observe dietary restrictions.The event was held to welcome Rai, who had attended a programme organised by the Nishad community. The issue quickly became political, with the BJP targeting Rai over the alleged feast and the Congress rejecting the allegations.Addressing a gathering in Raebareli on August 24, Adityanath accused Rai of “duplicity” for visiting Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and later attending a programme where fish was allegedly served.“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside-anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display,” Adityanath said.“Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is-chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out,” he added.The chief minister also accused Rai of not standing up to mafia elements in the past and referred to the killing of his brother, former MLA Awadhesh Rai.“When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him,” he added.Rai had earlier challenged Adityanath to produce evidence of him eating fish. In an open letter to the chief minister on August 28, he said he was a vegetarian and would quit politics if proof was produced.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“It is an immutable truth that I am a vegetarian. If you have any authenticated photograph or video of me eating fish, make it public. I will retire from politics,” Rai said.He said five days had passed since he issued the challenge but there had been no response. Rai also rejected Adityanath’s allegations about his alleged links with mafia elements, citing his nearly 32-year legal battle following the killing of his brother.He accused the state government of focusing on personal and provocative remarks instead of issues such as law and order, crimes against women and weaker sections, unemployment, inflation, farmers’ concerns, electricity supply, roads and alleged corruption.“My humble but clear advice is to stop making false and unsubstantiated statements and focus on the real problems of Uttar Pradesh,” Rai added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused Arrested123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James

NEW DELHI: The political row over an alleged “fish feast” at a Congress event in Ayodhya escalated on Tuesday, with Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai filing a defamation case against Yogi Adityanath, alleging that the chief minister’s remarks had “hurt his faith.”Rai approached the MP-MLA court in Lucknow, alleging that the chief minister’s remarks were baseless and had hurt his religious sentiments. He also denied eating fish or attending any such feast, saying he is a vegetarian.“We do not eat non-vegetarian food. The allegation of a fish feast against me is wrong. The chief minister’s statement has hurt my faith,” Rai told ANI.He said he had moved the court seeking legal action and challenged Adityanath to provide evidence to support the allegation. “Chief minister Yogi Adityanath should provide proof of the fish feast. That is why I have filed a defamation case,” Rai added.The remarks came days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on Rai over the alleged incident at an Ayodhya programme organised by members of the Nishad community.The controversy erupted after a video showing fish being prepared at the Congress event surfaced on social media during the month of Shravan, when many Hindus observe dietary restrictions.The event was held to welcome Rai, who had attended a programme organised by the Nishad community. The issue quickly became political, with the BJP targeting Rai over the alleged feast and the Congress rejecting the allegations.Addressing a gathering in Raebareli on August 24, Adityanath accused Rai of “duplicity” for visiting Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and later attending a programme where fish was allegedly served.“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside-anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display,” Adityanath said.“Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is-chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out,” he added.The chief minister also accused Rai of not standing up to mafia elements in the past and referred to the killing of his brother, former MLA Awadhesh Rai.“When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him,” he added.Rai had earlier challenged Adityanath to produce evidence of him eating fish. In an open letter to the chief minister on August 28, he said he was a vegetarian and would quit politics if proof was produced.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines“It is an immutable truth that I am a vegetarian. If you have any authenticated photograph or video of me eating fish, make it public. I will retire from politics,” Rai said.He said five days had passed since he issued the challenge but there had been no response. Rai also rejected Adityanath’s allegations about his alleged links with mafia elements, citing his nearly 32-year legal battle following the killing of his brother.He accused the state government of focusing on personal and provocative remarks instead of issues such as law and order, crimes against women and weaker sections, unemployment, inflation, farmers’ concerns, electricity supply, roads and alleged corruption.“My humble but clear advice is to stop making false and unsubstantiated statements and focus on the real problems of Uttar Pradesh,” Rai added.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Book Row: Why Did Penguin India Drop the Publishing Deal?Centre Defers Census In Manipur Amid NRC ProtestsCash Shortage Unlocks ₹17 Crore Fake Note Mystery At PNB’s Saharanpur Currency ChestBihar, Jharkhand End 25-Year Dispute, Sign Sone River Water-Sharing Agreement‘Spreading Jhooth Ki Goonj’: PM Modi Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi, Hails 7.8% GDP Growth In New VideoNepal Flood Crisis: 8,900 Army Personnel Deployed As Search For Missing People ContinuesDelhi Draft Voter Roll Out: 47.7 Lakh Electors Excluded, Claims Allowed Till September 30Akhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused Arrested123Hot PicksNepal floodGrand Canyon floodsSugar importMumbai milk priceCNG priceGoa anti-conversion billTN milk price hikeMaharashtra SIRDelhi trafficTop TrendingPM ModiDelhi TrafficDan DriscollPakistan Hindu Temple DemolishedUS Iran WarGlenn PhillipsPascal WehrleinConnor McDavidDelhi SIRLebron James

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