Business bloomed: Cong refutes BJP's 'traders' loss' during protests

Dia Mirza's recent video urging people to avoid noise and air pollution on Diwali has been taken down. The eco-friendly Diwali campaign became controversy after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) selectively pulled it down from X and Instagram pages.

The objections against the video came from from BJP Mumbai chief Ameet Satam. "We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture," the BJP leader wrote while tagging BMC on the social media platform X.

After this comment, the civic body led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide removed Mirza's video from its social media pages. However, campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane have been retained all over the BMC's social media.

No official statement has been made by the BMC on the matter. 

-- REDIFF NEWS

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday hit out at the BJP, saying its campaign against the INDIA bloc's anti-CEC rally in Delhi had backfired, with local traders and businesses seeing a rise in sales.

In a post on X, Ramesh accused the BJP of trying to discourage people from attending the rally by warning of business losses and possible market closures. He said the party had attempted to create an impression that the protest would hurt traders in the national capital.

Instead, he said, visitors coming to Delhi from different parts of the country also ended up shopping, benefiting businesses across the city.

"Every business operating in Delhi would benefit, directly or indirectly," he said.

Ramesh alleged that the BJP's "false and irrational smear campaign" was an attempt to divert attention from the opposition's allegations of "vote theft" and shield Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"But the exact opposite happened," he said.

He claimed that people responded to Rahul Gandhi's appeal by visiting markets across Delhi. Wholesale markets in Old Delhi remained open and saw brisk business, while small shopkeepers and street vendors also reported sales.

Citing a media report, Ramesh said newspaper coverage had exposed what he called the falsehood of the BJP's campaign.

He thanked traders, shopkeepers and Delhi residents for supporting local businesses while standing by the opposition's democratic protest.

"The BJP should understand that the voice of democracy cannot be suppressed by fear or smear campaigns," he said.

Taking another swipe at the BJP and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ramesh said people had watched their "antics" for 12 years and were no longer falling for their tactics.

"The public will protect the right to vote, carry on with business, and demand accountability too. Vote thief, step down from power!" he added.

A fire broke out in the multi-storeyed Lions Range building behind the historic Writers' Buildings in Kolkata. 10 fire engines were deployed to douse the fire. No casualties have been reported.

The fire erupted on Sunday night as thick black smoke billowing from the upper floors was seen by locals. Lions Range houses offices of several companies.

Considering the building's proximity to Writers' Buildings, the former state secretariat of the West Bengal government, which still houses some government departments, locals panicked.

The cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to its spread are yet to be ascertained, officials said.

-- REDIFF NEWS

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed gratitude to his fans for their love and birthday wishes as he turned 61 on Monday, sharing a handwritten note outside his residence, Mannat.

Thousands of fans gathered outside the actor's residence to celebrate his birthday; a giant projector displayed his handwritten message, giving fans a special birthday surprise.

"Thank you all for your wishes and love. Sending mine right back to you all," the note read. Shah Rukh signed off with the words, "Lots of love and a big hug."

On the special occassion, the makers also shared visuals from his upcoming action entertainer 'King', offering fans a glimpse of the film. The projections showcased two dialogues, "King Akela Kaafi Hai" and "Darr Nahi, Dehshat Hoon", adding to the excitement among his admirers gathered outside Mannat.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, 'King' will release in theatres on December 24, 2026, making it a major Christmas release. The film marks Shah Rukh's reunion with Anand after their collaboration on 'Pathaan', which was released in theatres in 2023.

The birthday celebrations thus brought together the superstar's personal message to his fans and a promotional glimpse of his next big-screen outing.

Anuradha Lekhi Gupta, wife of late filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, has appealed to the media to respect her family's privacy as she and her two children come to terms with his sudden death at the age of 59.

Gupta was found dead at his Versova residence on Saturday after suffering a fatal head injury in a fall.

Videos of the couple's 13-year-old daughter showing her middle finger to photographers at her father's cremation went viral on social media on Sunday. In a statement, Anuradha explained her daughter's reaction and urged the media to take down the videos.

" A part of our lives has been lost forever, and nothing can ever fill the void or make up for this loss. On behalf of our family, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all family members, friends, Sanjay's fans and our friends in the media for the love, condolences and strength you have extended to us during this difficult time," she wrote.

She said Sanjay died after sustaining a fatal head injury in an accidental fall and described him as a devoted family man who loved his children immensely.

"Our children are adolescents who have suddenly lost their beloved father," she said.

Anuradha said the children, who had grown up away from public attention, were deeply upset by the presence of paparazzi during an extremely difficult time. She added that their grief and anguish may have been reflected in their behaviour towards some members of the media.

"I sincerely regret any hurt this may have caused," she said, while asking people to understand that the reactions came from two children struggling to cope with an irreparable loss.

She also appealed to the media and social media users to delete the videos, saying their circulation could leave lasting emotional scars on the children.

"Please allow them the privacy, compassion and space they need to grieve the loss," she said.

Gupta made his directorial debut with the 1994 film Aatish: Feel the Fire. His best-known films include Kaante (2002), Musafir (2004), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) and Shootout at Wadala (2013). He frequently collaborated with actors Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham.

Nita Mukesh Ambani recently inaugurated The Library at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. 

The event was attended by Kajol, Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Mira Kapoor, Anupama Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, Vikrant Massey, Rajkummar Rao, Soha Ali Khan, Prasoon Joshi, and Manish Malhotra among others.

The two-level space is designed by architect and designer Ashiesh Shah.

The Library features over 4,500 books from publishers across the world including fiction, children's books, art, design, history, culture, food, travel and more

The Library was opened to the public on November 1, 2026.

Visuals from the Yamuna river near Kalindi Kunj are shocking. The river is once again victim to pollution, as thick layers of toxic white foam were seen floating over it on November 2, Monday.

Cleaning is underway to clear the white froth shrouding the river.

Amid recurring concerns over the Yamuna's pollution, cleaning operations are being carried out in the affected stretch to remove the foam.

During winter, pollutants, including detergents and untreated sewage have been offered as the reason for toxic foam along the Yamuna near the Kalindi Kunj barrage in southeast Delhi.

-- REDIFF NEWS

Andhra Pradesh is on high alert on Monday as severe Cyclonic Storm "Murasu" in the Bay of Bengal moved towards the coast, with heavy clouds covering Vijayawada. The system is expected to cross between Nellore and Narsapuram between midnight and the early hours of Tuesday.

According to the latest position, the system is about 160 km east-southeast of Nellore, 180 km northeast of Chennai, 180 km east-southeast of Kavali, 210 km southeast of Ongole and 240 km south of Machilipatnam.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan held a review meeting with officials from Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Rural Water Supply departments. He said the state has not yet fully recovered from the damage caused by the Arnab Cyclone, and directed staff to be fully prepared, according to the Deputy CM's office.He asked officials in Nellore, Prakasam, Markapuram, Bapatla and Krishna districts to remain vigilant and to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safe locations, in coordination with the police, revenue and electricity departments. Collectors of the likely affected districts have been alerted.

"Initially estimated to make landfall between Bapatla and Machilipatnam, the cyclone has now changed course and is expected to cross near Nellore, and officials explained that heavy rains are already occurring in Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Tirupati, and Markapuram districts due to the cyclone's impact. According to the weather department's estimates, the cyclone is likely to cross the coast this afternoon," the office said.

46-year-old Umesh Chandra Das, who had been working at the West Bengal assembly canteen for 15 years, was found unconscious inside a washroom on the premises on November 2, Monday morning. 

After spending eight weeks in Bigg Boss 20, Panchayat actor Aasif Khan was evicted from the show during Sunday's Weekend Ka Vaar episode.

'#Aasif ka Bigg Boss safar yahin hua khatam!' Jio Hotstar Reality had posted on their Instagram.

After last week's nominations, the 35-year-old artiste was in the danger zone along with contestants Uditi Singh, Arishfa Khan, ScoutOP, Aamrapali Dubey, and Kanika Mann.

Aasif was evicted because he received the least number of votes from the audience.

The first song of Shah Rukh Khan's new release King -- Tu Mil Jaye -- released on the superstar's birthday on November 2. 

Music composers Sachin-Jigar made the announcement on social media: 'Yeh Daur Ishq ka Naseeb Waalon ko milta hai... Jahan Barood ki Khushboo mein Gulab khilta hai.'

Sachin-Jigar are teaming up with Shah Rukh Khan for the first time in their 17-year-old career in Bollywood.  

 King will release on December 24.

 --REDIFF MOVIES

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) began its three-day annual meeting of the 'Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal' on November 2, Monday, with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale formally opening the meeting at the Daly College in Indore.

Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal is the RSS's principal organisational body. Nearly 400 people including RSS functionaries and representatives of 32 organisations inspired by it were present. 

An exhibition at the venue showcases Dhar's historic Bhojshala monument, various RSS activities and other themes. 

In a major setback to the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, three of its leaders, including suspended MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh and two other sitting legislators, joined the BJP on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, a former IPS officer and MLA from Amritsar North, announced his resignation from the Punjab Assembly. In a Facebook post, he said he had sent his resignation to Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan.

Singh joined the BJP along with Punjab MLAs Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra at the party headquarters in the presence of senior BJP leaders.

The development came a day after Jouramajra, who represents Samana, and Pathanmajra, the MLA from Sanour in Patiala district, resigned from the AAP on Sunday.

While the rest of the world rocks Halloween, competing for the most bizarre or cool costumes and ghoulish decor, in Poland, on November 2, cemeteries are transformed into fairy wonderlands for All Souls Day. 

This custom is actually prevalent in many places -- nations with Slavic influences like Lithuania, Serbia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia --  but nowhere is it more magical than Poland where cemeteries become serene oceans of twinkling lights and draw people to light votive candles or znicze, visit their loved ones and pray.

Called Zaduszki it means Commemoration of All The Faithful Departed and has pre-Christian beginnings. The word is derived from Dzien Zaduszn or the day of prayers for the souls.

The customs have evolved over the centuries. A special bread was baked and brought to the dead and then distributed to the poor. Dinner leftovers were kept out for the departed should they come by. It once was a day of no work. And not an auspicious date to begin a trip.  

The Civil Secretariat and other government offices, including the Lok Bhawan, reopened in Jammu as part of the 154-year-old biannual Darbar Move practice. With this the administration of Jammu and Kashmir resumed functioning under this arrangement.

This marks the resumption of the biannual administrative arrangement under which the government shifts its offices between Jammu and Srinagar. This practice was started in 1872, by the Dogra rulers. 

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was accorded the ceremonial guard of honour, conducted a tour of offices at the Secretariat, interacting with officials. 

A theatrical production on the life and death of Jan Sangh leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee called Keshari Hatya was staged at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata on on Sunday night. 

Playing the role of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the play was Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, who was also the narrator. 

Driverless cars one has heard of. But engine-less railway coaches?

That's what happened in Tamil Nadu's Tirupattur district recently, when seven empty railway coaches reportedly rolled away unattended from the railway yard at Jolarpettai Junction.

The empty coaches trundled along for nearly six kilometres without an engine, before derailing near Thamaleri Muthur.

The incident disrupted train services between Bengaluru and Chennai.

It also triggered an emergency response, with railway authorities issuing orders to stop all trains approaching Jolarpettai from Bengaluru at various spots to prevent a possible collision.

How did the incident come to light? It was thanks to an alert gatekeeper on duty who, on hearing the noise from the derailment, alerted the railway authorities.

Apparently the empty coaches were at the coach maintenance yard for repair-related work where they were not securely bound, after which they began rolling on their own for nearly six kilometres.

A 50-year-old man allegedly stabbed his wife to death at their home in Ludhiana, suspecting her of infidelity, just two days after returning from Australia, police said on Monday.

The victim, Kamaldeep Kaur, 49, was allegedly attacked by her husband, Ravinder Singh, a pick-up van driver, at their house in Vikas Nagar on Pakhowal Road late Saturday evening.

Police said the couple had travelled to Australia to visit their younger son, who lives there. Kamaldeep returned to Ludhiana four months ago, while Ravinder came back on October 29. Their elder son, Gagandeep Singh, lives with them.

Station House Officer Gurmukh Singh said the preliminary investigation points to suspected infidelity as the motive behind the murder.

In his complaint, Gagandeep said there had been no apparent tension between his parents since his father's return.

On Saturday evening, Ravinder asked him to go to the local market to buy milk. When Gagandeep returned, he saw his father rushing out of the house.

Asked what had happened, Ravinder told him to go inside and check.

Gagandeep then found his mother lying on the bed in a pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds to her stomach and neck. He raised an alarm and, with the help of neighbours, took her to a nearby hospital. Doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Police said Ravinder allegedly used a kitchen knife to attack his wife. He then washed the knife and put it back in the kitchen, apparently in an attempt to destroy evidence, before fleeing.

"We suspect he had planned the murder, as he carried it out within two days of returning from Australia. He stabbed his wife several times in the stomach and neck. The kitchen knife used in the crime has been seized," SHO Gurmukh Singh said.

A murder case has been registered at Dugri police station and Ravinder has been arrested. Police said he is being questioned.

Two women and four men, all Indians, were rescued on November 1, Sunday, after being stranded in the Shey-Phoksundo National Park area of Nepal due to heavy snowfall.

The police informed that they were out of touch since November 1 after the snowfall. They were in the Dho area in Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality's Ward No. 8, around 300 km northwest of Kathmandu, where the area was covered in heavy snow.

Binaya Singh, police inspector and spokesperson at the district police office, Dolpa, informed that the six tourists were rescued by a private helicopter. They were later taken to a government hospital and are undergoing treatment.

The Indian tourists had gone to the area despite warnings by the local authorities. The tourists had travelled to Upper Dolpa without obtaining the required administrative permits, OnlineKhabar news portal reported.

After visiting Shey Phoksundo lake, they were trapped at the Numla and Wagla pass. Later, a helicopter did try to rescue them but could not land due to bad weather. The rescue work was then suspended. 

It has become a common phenomenon for tourists to get stranded in Nepal's Himalayan regions. Some 15 tourists were rescued after being trapped by heavy snowfall in Mustang's Hidden Valley in October 2025. A month later, two others had to be similarly rescued.

-- REDIFF NEWS

IndiGo sees significant growth opportunities despite the challenges facing the aviation industry and is confident of navigating the current headwinds, CEO Willie Walsh said on Monday, stressing that maintaining a strong cost base remains a key priority.

Speaking at his first in-person media briefing since taking over as CEO in August, Walsh said the airline expects deliveries of its wide-body A350 aircraft to begin in the second quarter of 2028.

He said IndiGo has all the necessary ingredients to establish itself in the long-haul market.

Acknowledging the pressure on airlines from rising fuel prices, Walsh said the operating environment remains challenging but the airline is well placed to deal with the difficulties.

IndiGo reported a loss of Rs 1,879.1 crore in the September quarter, as higher fuel costs and a weaker rupee weighed on its financial performance. The airline also cut capacity amid the mounting cost pressures.

"We see incredible opportunities," Walsh said.

On the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport, he said it would open up significant opportunities for IndiGo. He added that the decision to shift some international flights to the new airport had been taken in the airline's interest.

IndiGo currently operates more than 2,100 flights a day with a fleet of over 400 aircraft.

Donald Trump's Republican party is expected to lose control of the US house of representatives and maybe the US senate as well in Tuesday's mid-term polls, so would that make Trump a lame duck president for his remaining two years in office?

'He is more likely to turn into an angry duck,' Chris Christie, the former Republican governor of New Jersey, told the Financial Times' Edward Luce. 'My fear is not of specific things he will do, but of the great Trumpian unknown.'

'For Trump there are only two kinds of election; ones that he wins and ones that are stolen,' Larry Tribe, a Harvard scholar told Ed Luce. 'If people think they are going to wake up with clarity about a new world on November 4, they are deluding themselves.'

What is more than likely is that Trump will embark on a showdown with his opponents on the Hill, as the US federal legislature is often referred to.

Trump himself made that clear in a podcast with the New York Post's Miranda Devine.

'I guess I'll become Mr Veto,' Trump said. 'I'm not going to let them ruin it.'

'And then at some point, we'll probably make deals. That's what's happened. I mean, this wouldn't be the first time. They'll be sending stuff up. You veto it.'

'And eventually, after a month or two of getting all vetoed, they come over, and you make a deal,' Trump said.

Trump has vetoed two bills during his second term. He vetoed 10 during his first term.

-- REDIFF NEWS

The Centre has empowered itself to intervene in airline ticket pricing in extraordinary circumstances and in the public interest, amid concerns over rising airfares as crude oil and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices remain elevated.

The new provisions, notified by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, allow the government to issue directions to airlines on fares whenever it considers such intervention necessary. Any such direction must be proportionate to the situation and will remain in force only for the specified period.

Under Rule 192, airlines operating scheduled services will have to fix their fares taking into account factors such as operating costs and submit details of their tariffs to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The rule also empowers the government to issue written directions if it believes an extraordinary situation has arisen and intervention is required in the public interest.

The new framework makes it mandatory for airlines to publish fares on their websites and other digital platforms. The DGCA will monitor the tariffs charged by scheduled airlines.

It also lays down stricter disclosure requirements for ticket bookings. Airlines will have to show passengers the total amount payable during the booking process and on the ticket, along with a separate breakup of the base fare, taxes, fees, cancellation charges, refund conditions and other applicable costs.

The rules also distinguish between taxes collected on behalf of the government and fees charged by airlines for services and facilities provided to passengers.

Airline fares in India were deregulated in 1994, allowing carriers to set prices according to market conditions. The Civil Aviation Ministry has maintained that airlines generally determine fares based on demand, operating expenses and the time of booking, with different pricing bands offered to passengers.

Under the earlier Aircraft Rules, 1937, Rule 135(4) empowered the DGCA to issue directions in cases involving excessive or predatory pricing and oligopolistic practices in the aviation sector.

The newly notified Rule 192 retains the provision for monitoring airline tariffs but does not explicitly mention excessive or predatory pricing or oligopolistic practices as grounds for intervention.

Instead, the new rules give the Centre broader powers to step in when an extraordinary situation warrants action in the public interest, subject to the conditions laid down in the notification.

Helicopter operators have threatened to suspend charter services for the Char Dham pilgrimage from Monday unless the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) withdraws its order making co-pilots mandatory on all flights. The move could disrupt the final stretch of the pilgrimage season before the shrines shut for winter.

In a letter to UCADA on Sunday, the operators said they would halt services from Monday if the directive was not withdrawn.

The authority announced the mandatory co-pilot requirement on Saturday, following a helicopter crash near Joshimath in Chamoli district on October 30 that claimed six lives.

The operators said they were unable to accept the twin-pilot requirement in its current form, raising concerns over its financial and operational implications for charter services.

They argued that the decision had been taken without adequate consultation with operators or an assessment of the additional costs involved. Implementing the rule under the existing business model, they said, would make operations financially unviable.

In their letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the operators said deploying two pilots on every charter flight would significantly add to operating costs, crew requirements, accommodation and logistical expenses.

They pointed out that existing charter rates and narrow operating margins left little room to absorb the additional expenditure. Passing the entire cost on to passengers was also not a commercially viable option, they said.

A study published October 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine has shown that you could face a cancer risk by midlife if you were obese in your 20s and 30s. 

Risks increase with the extent of obesity -- from 1.84 per cent in those at a moderate weight to 2.62 per cent in people suffering serious obesity. 

This study followed, over 11 years, 6,313,338 adults, between the ages 20 to 39, with no history of cancer. And 151,893 cases of cancer were detected among the participants.

That underlines how key weight management is even from a young age and that the rates of early onset cancer are increasing across the world.

Rates of obesity are also vastly rising. As per WHO statistics: 'In 2024, 1 in 7 people (1.1 billion) in the world were living with obesity and worldwide adult obesity has more than doubled since 1990, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled'.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast late on Monday night or in the early hours of Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its latest bulletin.

The cyclone moved west-northwestwards at a speed of 25 kmph over the past six hours. At 5.30 am on Monday, its centre was located over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, near latitude 13.9°N and longitude 81.8°E.

The storm was about 200 km east-northeast of Chennai, 210 km east-southeast of Nellore, 270 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 220 km east-southeast of Kavali and 260 km southeast of Ongole.

The IMD said Murasu was very likely to continue moving northwestwards and cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur, close to Ongole, between 11.30 pm on Monday and 4 am on Tuesday (November 3).

The cyclone is expected to make landfall as a severe cyclonic storm, packing wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph.

With the storm approaching, three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been moved from Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh to assist with rescue and relief operations.

The NDRF said the teams belong to its 4th Battalion and were stationed at Nagarikuppam near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu's Ranipet district. They have been sent to Andhra Pradesh to respond to any emergency arising from the cyclone.

Meanwhile, the Rayagada district administration in Odisha has also stepped up its preparedness for the possible impact of Murasu. All 11 fire station teams have been deployed, while heavy machinery has been positioned at strategic locations to deal with emergencies, Additional District Magistrate (General) Ravindranath Kahanra said.

A virtual emergency review meeting was held on Sunday under the chairmanship of the District Collector to assess the district's readiness for the cyclone and the possibility of heavy rainfall. Officials reviewed early warning arrangements, emergency services, rescue and relief operations, shelter facilities and the availability of essential equipment.

Kahanra said the meeting focused on ensuring that the district was prepared to respond to any eventuality. Measures relating to public safety, warning systems, emergency services and the readiness of shelters were also discussed.

The rupee depreciated 21 paise to 94.97 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday pressured by the broad strength of the American currency in the overseas market.

Forex traders said a positive domestic market and softening of crude oil prices cushioned the downside.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 94.90, then fell to 94.97 against the US dollar, registering a fall of 21 paise from its previous close.

On Friday, the rupee had settled at 94.76 against the American currency.

Indian equity markets started the fresh trading week on a strong note on Monday, with benchmark indices opening with significant gains as easing crude oil prices, declining US bond yields and weakness in global AI-related stocks improved investor sentiment.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 23,222.30, gaining 169.20 points or 0.73 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 75,178.24, surging 718.71 points or 0.97 per cent.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has criticised sections of the media for allegedly misinterpreting his religious invocation, "Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki", and portraying it as a challenge to his opponents.

In his post on social media, Big B expressed displeasure over a media report that interpreted his devotional chant as a message directed at his opponents, with the headline suggesting that he had challenged them by saying, "Bring your elephants and horses."

Calling the interpretation disrespectful to religious sentiments, the actor said the chant was an invocation dedicated to Lord Krishna and should not have been twisted to create a narrative about confrontation.

"For Krishna Kanhaiya, in the form of prayer, he often chants -" Hathi ghoda palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki " Aur media uska niradar karke, apna prachar karne ke liye chapta hai 'dekhiye yeh Amitabh apne vorofhyon ko chunautiu de raha hai, ki, 'le aao haathi ghoda 'hum apane hathiyar se ladenge, darenge nahi'..ek to ghor ninda ek 'Jai Shri Krishna' ke uplakshya mein, aur dusra , shabdon ko palat kar vorodhiyo n ko chunauti dene ki baat kar rahe hai" (And the media, by disrespecting it, prints it for their own publicity, 'Look, Amitabh is challenging his opponents, saying, 'Bring your elephants and horses'--we will fight with our weapons, we won't be afraid!' On one hand, it's a grave insult to a 'Jai Shri Krishna' invocation, and on the other, they're twisting the words to make it about challenging opponents. ..)," Big B wrote on X.

He also questioned the media's responsibility, referring to the press as the fourth pillar of democracy and criticising what he described as the conduct of sections of the media.

In his post, the veteran star further referred to his 50-million-strong follower base, claiming that a section of them was ready to respond if called upon. He added that repeated misinterpretation of his words would only strengthen their resolve.

"Listen up, media folks, with your ears wide open. .. We have a 50 million-strong follower base, media folks. The day we give the signal, just 10 percent of them are ready and waiting to strike. The more you twist our words and condemn them, the 100 times greater capacity our Ef has lying in wait to do the same. ... It's just a matter of them speaking up. .. Here's what the media prints, take a look: "Amitabh Bachchan takes a dig at opponents' threats, vents frustration with cryptic post--'Go, bring your elephants and horses' News18 Hindi " See that, folks--disrespecting faith, and  absurd (Betuka) - Absurd, nonsensical, or silly. ridiculous (Hasyaspad) - Ridiculous or laughable (invoking derision). Incongruous..These are the ones considered the country's 5th Column--and the 4 columns are revered in our traditions with honor and respect. .. It's called a fifth because they are honored by the citizens, granted a status of respect in society!! Honor??? Nothing could be more laughable than this...," he added.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday accused the Congress of using an AI-generated photograph to create the impression of a massive turnout at its November 1 rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

In a post on X, Rijiju took a dig at the Congress, saying in Hindi that the party could have at least made a better effort while generating an AI image to depict a packed venue. He added in English: "Even the fake AI photo to show that the Ramlila ground was full was not done properly by the fake narrative team of the Congress Party!"

The INDIA bloc held a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to protest against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Several prominent Opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, attended the gathering.

The march began at the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and proceeded towards Ramlila Maidan, where thousands of supporters assembled.

Addressing the rally, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of helping facilitate what he described as vote theft. He warned that the poll body chief would be removed from office and sent to jail.

Rahul said the protest was not about any one political party or leader but represented the voice of the country. Accusing the CEC of trying to suppress that voice, he said the Opposition would continue its fight to defend the Constitution through peaceful and democratic means.

He further alleged that action would be taken against the CEC, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah would not have reached their positions without his alleged support.

Chef Pradeep Khullar, who was working for a Michelin star restaurant Nazaara in Dubai gave all that up to become a Chana Bhature vendor recently. 

Khullar, who hails from Delhi moved to Dubai and was eventually working at fine dining Indian restaurant, Nazaara, 16 floors up, with Burj Khalifa views, famous for its Cod Tikka and Truffle Khulcha, when he decided to kick all that up to start his own tiny, literally hole-in-the-wall street food outlet.

Bhaturewala is located in the Oud Metha neighbourhood of Dubai and makes Chana Bhatura from scratch. Only 200 plates a day and just on weekends. Dubai-ites are flocking to this car-dining spot, and the queues are enormous with umpteen people going away hungry. Also on the menu is an unusual Mutton-Bhature that is becoming a fave.

Why the dramatic switch? Chef Khullar says that he has been thinking of such an outlet for the 'last decade, this was always on our minds'.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has warned that moneylenders, microfinance companies and banks would face murder charges if a drought-hit farmer dies by suicide due to harassment.

The government will stand firmly behind farmers and provide all possible assistance, Shinde said on Sunday, urging cultivators not to lose hope during the agrarian crisis.

He was addressing a gathering during the inauguration of a 100-bed sub-district hospital at Wadi Budruk in Nanded district.

The deputy CM warned financial institutions and recovery agents against harassing farmers for loan repayment, stressing that strict action would be taken against coercive recovery practices.

"Microfinance companies, banks and moneylenders should not harass the farmers who are in distress. If they do, they will not be spared. If any farmer dies by suicide due to harassment, murder cases will be registered," he said.

The warning came days after a farmer was found dead inside the office of a finance company in Nanded. The farmer's family alleged that he had borrowed Rs 10,000, but the finance company was demanding Rs 70,000.

Shinde said his party, Shiv Sena, will also take responsibility for the marriage of farmers' daughters.

He further said the state government had decided to extend immediate financial assistance of Rs 5,000 to farmers before Diwali.

"This Rs 5,000 aid is immediate help. The rest will be done as per (crop loss) surveys. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have also said that they will stand with the farmers of Maharashtra," he said.

The state government has declared drought in 304 of 358 tehsils where Trigger-1 and Trigger-2 systems have been activated during the 2026 Kharif season. Trigger-1 and Trigger-2 are two successive stages used to determine whether an area is drought-affected and how severe the drought is.

"Do not lose courage or take any extreme step. The government stands firmly with you in this difficult time," Shinde said, assuring farmers that they would not be left to fend for themselves.

The deputy CM said the 100-bed hospital at Wadi Budruk will provide affordable and quality healthcare to farmers, labourers and economically weaker sections in rural areas. He asked Health Minister Prakash Abitkar to ensure CT scan and dialysis facilities at the hospital at the earliest.

A 500-bed state-of-the-art building for Shri Guru Gobind Singhji District Hospital in Nanded would also be constructed with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank, he said.

Abitkar said cancer treatment facilities would also be made available in Nanded through the 'Maha Care' initiative with support from the Tata Memorial Trust.

A group of people allegedly stormed a church during its inauguration in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, vandalised the premises and assaulted priests and worshippers, leaving several people injured, police said on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday at Narayantala in the Basanti police station area, where Bishop Subrata Chakraborty, several priests and members of the congregation had gathered for the inauguration ceremony.

According to police, around 30 to 35 people entered the church compound and attacked those attending the event.

"We received a complaint that a group entered the church premises and assaulted people present there. Women were also allegedly attacked, asked to remove their traditional 'shakha' (white bangles) and forced out," a police officer said.

The attackers allegedly damaged the church's Cross, beat up priests and devotees, and smashed the mobile phones of people who tried to record what was happening.

Members of the congregation also alleged that the group threatened to stop any religious activities from being held at the church. Police said an investigation has been launched.

The attack drew sharp criticism from the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), a Christian organisation, which described it as an attempt to intimidate the minority community.

"This is an unprecedented incident where multiple priests were assaulted during an inauguration ceremony with the bishop present," said Herod Mullick, the organisation's founder state secretary and working president.

He accused organised groups of taking the law into their own hands and targeting peaceful minorities, alleging that the lack of meaningful action had emboldened those responsible.

The incident comes just weeks after three Christian families in Paschim Medinipur district approached police, alleging that they were threatened and assaulted to force them to renounce their faith. The families, who converted to Christianity about 18 months ago, also claimed they were compelled to take part in religious rituals against their wishes.

A five-year-old boy was killed allegedly after being hit by a bullet during celebratory firing ahead of a wedding procession in UP's Sultanpur on Sunday evening, police said.

The incident took place in Futehari Banke village under the Kadipur police station area when the boy's relative, Ajay, allegedly opened fire before the wedding procession was to leave, according to police.

The deceased was identified as Arsh Patel.

Police said the boy's mother, Amrita Patel, rushed him to the Kadipur community health centre with family members. As his condition was critical, doctors referred him to the Government Medical College in Sultanpur, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Circle Officer Vinay Gautam said an investigation was underway, and the boy's body had been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Police teams are searching for the accused, he added.

Excitement gripped outside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's house, Mannat, as fans gathered in large numbers today (November 2) to celebrate King Khan's birthday and catch a glimpse of their favourite star.

Fans, some of whom had travelled from different parts of the country, expressed their excitement while waiting outside the actor's residence. The gathering reflected the immense popularity of the Bollywood superstar, with admirers eagerly hoping to see him on his special day.

Speaking to ANI, one enthusiastic fan said, "Bahut excited hain. Bete ko haath lagane se pehle baap se baat kar le."

Another fan, who had arrived from Kolkata, said he had travelled all the way to Mumbai just to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan.

"Hum Kolkata se aa rahe hain. Unki ek jhalak dekhne ke liye aaye hain. Unko dekhne ke liye hi yahan aaya hoon," the fan said.

Another admirer also expressed excitement about celebrating the actor's birthday, saying that the occasion was special for all his fans.

The celebrations were not limited to local admirers. One fan from Nanded revealed that he had been away from home for three days to make it to Mumbai for the occasion.

When asked about his favourite Shah Rukh Khan song, one of the fans named 'Jhoome Jo Pathaan' from the actor's 2023 blockbuster film 'Pathaan'.

Every year, Shah Rukh Khan's birthday draws fans to Mannat, where admirers gather to celebrate the superstar and express their affection for him. The occasion has become a special tradition for his massive fan following, with people travelling from different cities to be part of the celebrations. 

Security has been tightened outside actor Shah Rukh Khan's residence, 'Mannat ', ahead of his birthday celebrations on Monday. The fans have also gathered outside his residence to sneak a glimpse of the actor on the special day. 

Police on Sunday shot at and nabbed the man accused of attacking two girl students with a chainsaw inside their classroom, after he allegedly attacked personnel attempting to apprehend him in Atmakur forest area, a senior police official said.

The accused, identified as Hemant, allegedly attacked the two class 10 students at a government school in Raptadu on October 31.

Anantapur SP Jagadeesh told PTI that police had been searching for him since Saturday and received information on Sunday evening, between 6 pm and 6.30 pm, that he was hiding on the outskirts of the Atmakur forest area.

Based on the information, 15 police teams were formed, and two were sent to the forest area, he said, adding that when the personnel approached him, Hemant was allegedly in an intoxicated state and carrying a knife.

Police initially warned him and subsequently fired shots into the air to bring him under control. However, he continued to resist and attacked one of the police inspectors, injuring him, the SP said.

"Police opened fire after he assaulted police personnel who went to apprehend him," the officer said, adding that around six rounds were fired in total, including warning shots.

Jagadeesh said Hemant was alone at the time of the operation and sustained bullet injuries on the lower of his body. However, the exact extent of injuries is yet to be ascertained. He was shifted to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Anantapur for treatment.

One of the two girls attacked by him suffered critical injuries, including the loss of her right hand, deep wounds and multiple fractures, while the other sustained injuries while attempting to protect her classmate.

The critically injured girl was initially treated at Anantapur Government General Hospital before being shifted to a private hospital in Bengaluru through a green corridor for advanced treatment, where her condition was reported to be stable.

The average daily value of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions crossed Rs.1 trillion for the first time in October, coinciding with the start of the festive season.