Those who think that they will drive people out of this country by deleting their names and by making brothers fight each other, must remember that people are ready to sacrifice their lives, but will not bow down, said Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who attended Eid celebrations on Red Road on Saturday along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

He also greeted people on the auspicious occasion. “I am grateful to the people who have gathered here despite the foul weather to celebrate Eid with peace and promote brotherhood. I pray to Allah to accept your roza and ensure that the spirit of brotherhood in Bengal remains intact,” he said, adding; “Be it Eid or any other festival, there are four underlying messages – patience, brotherhood, test, and love. We must stand united and celebrate festivals of each other’s community, especially at a time when brothers are made to fight against each other. I will participate in the celebration of your festival and you will join in to celebrate my festival. That is Bengal’s culture.”

He quoted the famous poet Rahat Indori in saying that those who come to power are like tenants of a rented house. They must never consider themselves as the owners. India is not the property of any individual. This country is as much mine as it is yours, he said.

Leaders from various political parties gathered at Rishra Wellington Ground today to exchange Eid greetings following the namaz.

Owing to rain, the Eid namaz could not be held in the open grounds at Wellington Jute Mill grounds and instead was conducted under the shed of a jute mill godown.

Among those present were Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee, Trinamul Congress (TMC) candidate for Serampore Assembly Tanmoy Ghosh, Rishra Municipality chairman Vijay Sagar Mishra, vice-chairman Zahid Hasan Khan, Serampore chairman-in-council Santosh Singh and others.

TMC leaders exchanged Eid greetings and wished people. On the occasion, Mr Banerjee refrained from making political remarks, stating that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has set an example of communal harmony in West Bengal. He said the state reflects the true spirit of “Dharma jar jar, utsav sobar”, where people of all religions, faiths and beliefs coexist in mutual respect and brotherhood, participating in each other’s festivals without ill feeling. He also cautioned against divisive forces seeking to exploit religious sentiments and urged people to remain vigilant.

The CPI-M candidate for the Serampore Assembly constituency, Nabanita Chakraborty, said she attended the gathering not as a political figure but as a citizen to exchange Eid greetings. She stressed that communal harmony and brotherhood are essential for a united and strong nation, and called for resistance against divisive forces.

Ms Chakraborty also highlighted the closure of Rishra Wellington Jute Mill and Serampore Jute Mill, which has rendered thousands jobless. She questioned how people could celebrate wholeheartedly under such circumstances and criticised the ruling party for failing to ensure industrial development and keep mills operational.

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, calling him the “most unsuccessful” leader among all Communist Party of India (Marxist) chief ministers in the state.

“The worst ten years in Kerala’s political history have passed, and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is the most unsuccessful among CPM chief ministers in Kerala,” Chandrasekhar said.

In an interview with a Malayalam news channel, the BJP leader described Vijayan’s decade-long tenure as a “lost decade” for the state.

“I have no personal relationship with him. While I respect him as a senior leader, I have no regard for his political ideology or achievements. History will remember him as the Chief Minister who weakened both the state and the CPM,” he said.

Chandrasekhar also compared Vijayan’s tenure with that of former CPM chief ministers such as E K Nayanar and V S Achuthanandan, claiming that Vijayan’s performance falls short.

He further alleged that the Vijayan government’s only “achievement” was exposing what he termed the “ineffectiveness” of CPM ideology.

Dismissing speculation about the Left Democratic Front (LDF) returning to power for a third consecutive term, Chandrasekhar said the chances were “zero.”

“People are seeking change across all 140 constituencies. I have personally sensed this sentiment even in Dharmadam, the Chief Minister’s own constituency,” he said.

He added that political developments in states like West Bengal and Tripura, where the CPM lost power, could be repeated in Kerala. He also criticised both the LDF and the United Democratic Front (UDF), alleging that both had failed the people.

Expressing confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Chandrasekhar said the party would improve its position in the upcoming elections. “The BJP will win in constituencies where no one expects it, as people are looking for a credible alternative,” he said.

He asserted that the upcoming elections would be decisive for Kerala’s future, adding that issues such as rising inflation and governance concerns had weakened the ruling dispensation’s prospects.

The BJP released its third list of candidates for 11 seats in the upcoming Kerala assembly elections on Saturday.

According to the list, actor Vivek Gopan will contest from Aruvikkara, while entrepreneur S Rajasekharan Nair, who had unsuccessfully contested as a BJP candidate from Neyyattinkara in the 2021 assembly elections, has been reallocated to the same seat.

The keenly watched Thiruvanananthapuram Central seat has been allocated to BJP Thiruvananathapuram city president Karamana Jayan.

Two former Congress leaders, BS Anoop and RS Arun Raj, who recently joined the BJP, also figure in the list. B.S. Anoop, who was the Congress candidate from Chirayinkeezhu in the 2021 polls, has been fielded from the same constituency, while RS Arun Raj will seek a mandate from Chadayamangalam.

TN Suresh, who joined the BJP after leaving the RJD, has been allocated the Kovalam seat.

Other candidates in the third list are: V Ratheesh (Peerumade), Raveendranathan Vakathanam (Puthupally), Ajimon (Mavelikkara), Pandalam Prathapan (Adoor) and KR Rajesh (Chavara).

Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday filed his nomination papers from the Nemom constituency for the upcoming Assembly elections. He filed his papers in the presence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

Speaking to the media, Bhajanlal Sharma said he witnessed strong enthusiasm among BJP workers in Kerala. He expressed confidence that the party would perform well in the elections and emerge as a significant political force in the state.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister accompanied BJP candidates during the filing of nomination papers in Vattiyoorkavu (R Sreelekha), Kazhakkoottam (V Muraleedharan) and Kattakada (PK Krishnadas).

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined Palakkad BJP candidate Sobha Surendran, Thrissur candidate Padmaja Venugopal, Manalur candidate K K Aneesh Kumar and Nattika candidate C C Mukundan in filing their nomination papers.

It is learnt that the state BJP leadership is trying to rope in Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for campaigning in the coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday and condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the ongoing war in West Asia while underlining the importance of safeguarding the freedom of navigation.

Later, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also spoke to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the ‘’implications of the conflict for the larger region.

The PM conveyed his warm greetings to President Pezeshkian on the auspicious occasions of Eid and Nowruz.

During the discussion, both leaders expressed their shared hope that this festive season would usher in a period of peace, stability, and prosperity for the West Asian region.

Condemning the attacks on critical infrastructure, the PM observed that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt vital global supply chains. He reiterated the critical importance of safeguarding the freedom of navigation and ensuring that international shipping lanes remain open and secure.

Furthermore, Modi expressed his sincere appreciation for Iran’s continued support in ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals residing in the country.

Later, the PM wrote on X, “Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.’’

The two leaders last spoke on March 12, when PM Modi expressed concern over the escalation of tensions in the region, including civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. He had also repeated India’s position that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

At that time, the PM had stressed the need for uninterrupted movement of goods and energy, saying disruptions could have wider consequences for India’s economy and regional stability.

President Pezeshkian had briefed the Indian leader on the situation in Iran and shared his view on recent developments in the region.

Soon after the PM’s telephonic talk, Jaisahankar spoke to the Iranian Foreign Minister and later wrote on X, ‘’Spoke this evening to FM @araghchi of Iran. Conveyed greetings for Navroz and Eid. Our conversation was on the latest developments regarding the conflict. And its implications for the larger region.’’

The Centre has increased gas allocations to states to 50% of pre-crisis levels, with an additional 20% supply set to come into effect from March 23, announced the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday. The hike in gas allocation comes amid rising tensions in West Asia and fears of supply disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz.

In an official letter to all State and Union Territory Chief Secretaries, Petroleum Secretary Neeraj Mittal stated that the enhanced allocation is aimed at supporting critical sectors linked to food supply and public welfare.

The additional supply will be prioritised for restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing and dairy units, subsidised food outlets run by governments, community kitchens, and 5 kg free trade LPG for migrant workers.

Panic booking drops sharply

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas noted a significant easing of panic buying, with LPG bookings dropping to 55 lakh on Thursday.

Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma said no LPG outlets were running dry and highlighted a behavioural shift among consumers, with around 7.5 lakh users transitioning to PNG.

Reassuring consumers, Sharma also said that there is no shortage of supply across the country. “There is adequate stock available, no outlets are dry out,” she stated.

Measures to prevent diversion

The Ministry said safeguards will be put in place to ensure that the additional allocation is not diverted. All commercial and industrial LPG consumers will be required to register with oil marketing companies (OMCs) to access supplies under the revised allocation.

OMCs will maintain detailed records of consumers, including sector of operation, LPG usage, and annual requirements.

PNG shift made mandatory

The government has also made it mandatory for commercial and industrial consumers to apply for piped natural gas (PNG) connections through city gas distribution networks. Only those taking steps towards PNG adoption will be eligible for LPG allocation under the 50% quota.

A unique confluence of devotion, faith, and simplicity was witnessed on Saturday in the city of Lord Krishna when President Droupadi Murmu paid her respects at the world-renowned Shri Danghati Temple and completed the 21-kilometre (seven-kos) ‘Saptakosi’ Parikrama.

She was accompanied by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, during the visit. A notable highlight of the occasion was that the President not only performed the rituals and prayers in accordance with tradition but also interacted with local children and distributed chocolates among them.

As the President’s convoy arrived in Govardhan, the atmosphere turned festive. At the revered Danghati Temple, she was received by Cabinet Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and Minister-in-charge Sandeep Singh. The temple’s sevayat (priest), Sitaram Sharma, presented her with a chunari (sacred scarf).

Following this, the President performed the Abhishekam (ritual bathing) of Thakur Shri Giriraj Maharaj with milk inside the sanctum sanctorum. She then circumambulated the temple and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

The Parikrama, which commenced from the Danghati Temple, witnessed diverse expressions of devotion. The President and the Governor covered portions of the 21-kilometre circumambulation route on foot, while traversing other stretches in a golf cart.

A section of the Parikrama route falls within the state of Rajasthan, where representatives of the Rajasthan government accorded a grand welcome to the President. While walking through Anyor village, the President called over the young children present there and distributed chocolates to them. The children were overjoyed to receive these gifts directly from the hands of the President.

Throughout the Parikrama, school students at various points along the route waved the Tricolour to welcome the President. At Raman Reti Ashram, in the presence of Mahant Hariom Baba, young Batuks (students of Vedic studies) chanted Vedic mantras and blew conch shells (Shankhnad). Along the route, various troupes presented cultural performances accompanied by drums and traditional percussion instruments. Impressed by the spectacle, the President even posed for photographs with the artists.

Coincidentally, today also marked ‘World Forestry Day.’ To commemorate the occasion, President Murmu planted a banyan sapling at the Gorva Forest Block, located along the Parikrama route. Officers of the Indian Forest Service expressed their gratitude to the President for the initiative and presented her with a memento.

Following the Badi Parikrama (Grand Circumambulation), the President visited Mansi Ganga, located along the Chhoti Parikrama (Short Circumambulation) route. There, she performed puja rituals in accordance with traditional rites, offered Aarti, and presented flowers.

Subsequently, at the Mukut Mukharbind Temple, Shriji Peethacharya Manish Baba guided her through the Abhishek (ritual bathing ceremony) of Giriraj Baba.

Upon completion of the Parikrama, she was presented with a captivating idol of Radha and Krishna at the Danghati Temple. In the evening, following the conclusion of the day’s events, the President arrived at the helipad, where she was accorded a ceremonial send-off by Members of Parliament Hema Malini and Tejvir Singh, along with senior administrative officials.

As part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Mahaprasikshan Abhiyan, night-stay training camps were organised on Saturday across 11 divisions of the party’s Delhi unit.

The Delhi BJP had launched these training camps on March 7–8 with sessions in three mandals, followed by programmes across 89 mandals on March 14–15. With the addition of 11 more mandals, a total of 103 divisions have so far hosted the camps across the city.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the party is a cadre-based, constructive political organisation, and that regular training not only enhances workers’ capabilities but also strengthens their dedication towards the nation and society.

He added that the party aims to complete the Mahaprasikshan Abhiyan across all 256 mandals in Delhi by April 14.

Sachdeva addressed the Hari Nagar Extension Mandal, while Minister of State Harsh Malhotra spoke at the Mehrauli Mandal. Delhi’s training campaign head Kamaljeet Sehrawat addressed the Dwarka C Mandal, and MP Yogendra Chandolia spoke at the Mubarakpur Mandal, along with several other speakers who addressed organisational topics.

Sachdeva further said that while the difference in commitment between BJP workers and those of other parties is often visible, recent events have made it even clearer.

Referring to the recent fire incident in Palam, he alleged that the conduct of Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers was inappropriate and stood in sharp contrast to the restrained behaviour of BJP MLAs and workers. He said this demonstrated the difference between trained and untrained party workers.

The manhandling of journalists including women staffers and the subsequent sealing of the office of United News of India in the national capital on Friday night has triggered sharp condemnation from media bodies across the country.

Calling the incident a grave attack on press freedom, several journalist organisations denounced the action and demanded accountability.

The Indian Journalist Association termed the episode “a direct attack on the freedom of the press,” saying it posed a serious threat to democratic values and the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The association also warned that such action against one of India’s oldest news agencies creates “an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the media fraternity.” It demanded a high-level inquiry, strict action against those responsible, and immediate restoration of UNI’s operations.

The Delhi Union of Journalists described the action as “arbitrary” and deeply disturbing, stating that the cancellation of UNI’s land lease by the Union government had “dealt a death blow” to the organisation. It also expressed solidarity with UNI employees facing uncertainty.

The Mumbai Press Club also condemned the move, calling it deeply concerning for the media fraternity. It emphasised that such actions undermine the dignity and safety of journalists and raise serious questions about press freedom and the ability of media organisations to function without fear or intimidation. The Club called for a prompt, impartial, and transparent inquiry into the incident.

The Indian Women’s Press Corps termed the police action an “affront to the dignity and safety of journalists, particularly women.” While acknowledging that the legal dispute over the UNI premises is subject to judicial process, it criticised the manner in which the police allegedly treated journalists present at the office.

The IWPC warned that such developments diminish institutions and endanger press freedom, while also highlighting the growing challenges faced by media organisations.

Expressing “deep shock,” the Press Club of India condemned the alleged high-handedness, stating that the right to work is a constitutional guarantee. It said authorities should have exercised restraint, especially as journalists had not received formal communication from management regarding vacating the premises following the court order.

The Editors Guild of India criticised the use of “excessive force” and “undue haste” in sealing the UNI premises after a High Court order cancelling the land allotment. While not questioning the implementation of the court directive, it flagged concerns over lack of due process and the overwhelming deployment of police and paramilitary personnel within hours of the order. The Guild warned that such actions send a “chilling message” to the media and disrupt news dissemination.

The Ranchi Press Club also expressed strong concern, calling the reported eviction of journalists without allowing them to collect personal belongings “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.” It stressed that enforcement of court orders must be carried out with sensitivity and due process.

Collectively, media bodies have called for restraint by authorities, protection of journalists’ rights and steps to restore confidence within the media fraternity, warning that such incidents could have a chilling effect on press freedom in a democratic society.

The decision to leave Shubman Gill out of India’s squad for the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup may serve as added motivation for the India Test and ODI captain as he looks to guide Gujarat Titans to the title in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Former India Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara believes Gill will use the disappointment of missing out on the T20 World Cup squad as fuel to lead the Titans to success when the IPL begins on March 28.

The Titans, champions in 2022, were knocked out in the Eliminator during the 2025 season and will be aiming to go further this time and secure their second IPL trophy.

Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’, Pujara discussed how the T20 World Cup snub could motivate Gill in IPL 2026.

“The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India’s T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain. He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team.

“There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try to accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” said Pujara.

Pujara also spoke about the prospects of young pacer Ashok Sharma, who was signed by the Titans for Rs 90 lakh at the auction, and the possibility of him making his IPL debut this season. He added that working under head coach Ashish Nehra could benefit the youngster.

“Playing your first IPL season with a team like GT, under the guidance of Ashish Nehra, will be a big opportunity for Ashok Sharma. He may not get into the playing XI immediately, early in the season, because you have Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada as the third seamer. But I won’t be surprised if Rabada misses out at some point.

“If they think of bringing in someone like Jason Holder, who has been in prime form in T20 cricket, they could have an extra Indian seamer in Ashok Sharma instead of Rabada. That might be a combination GT can look at. But in the first phase of the IPL, their playing XI will likely remain as it was in the past.”

Pujara further assessed Gujarat Titans’ overall squad strength and said the team has the resources to emerge as title contenders this season. “GT look like a title favourite this season. If you look at their squad, the top order of captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler is incredible. You cannot have a better top order than them. These three have scored runs with amazing consistency. That is their main strength.”

“The number of all-rounders they have, especially with the addition of Holder, makes them even stronger. Holder is in great form with both bat and ball, and will love to contribute in both departments. Rahul Tewatia will be their main finisher. He can bowl a few overs if needed, but his primary job is to bat well at number six or seven. Shah Rukh Khan is also a key player. If he starts performing as per his potential, GT will be a different team altogether.”

“When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Rabada, Siraj, and Prasidh are their main pacers, and Ishant Sharma is also on the bench if needed. Ashok will be unleashed with his fiery pace at some point in the season. Left-armer Luke Wood is another seamer who knows how to do well. If Rabada does not perform, Wood can replace him. But I hope Rabada, being a strike bowler, has a good IPL. All GT fans will be hoping the same,” said Pujara.

A gate of the Bilaspur reservoir gave way with a loud blast late Friday night, sending thousands of cusecs of water gushing out like a runaway river within minutes. People in Bhupdevpur village woke to the sound of the blast. Before anyone could make sense of it, the old NH-49 Kharsia-Raigarh road had disappeared under water, and standing crops on hundreds of acres were already being swept away.

Families scrambled in the dark, not knowing where the water would go next. Those living in riverside villages grabbed whatever they could and moved to higher ground. The highway, usually a busy stretch, turned into a flowing stream, with vehicles stuck on both sides and nowhere to go.

The sight was heartbreaking, especially for the farmers. Fields they had tended for months, growing paddy and vegetables, were now submerged under a sheet of water. Many had been expecting a decent harvest.

According to officials, some people had apparently opened the gate of the reservoir to draw water for irrigating their fields, following which the structure gave way. However, locals alleged that the gate had been rusting for years and nobody had bothered to maintain it properly.

All through the night, villagers and administrative teams worked side by side. They rushed sandbags and whatever material they could find to try and plug the breach. Officials kept saying that they would get it under control in an hour or two. The repair work continued as the sun came up.

Sub Divisional Officer Dileshwar Patre of the irrigation department said they were keeping a close watch and the gate would be fixed soon. Sub Divisional Magistrate S. Thalapathi also confirmed that relief and control efforts were on. For now, the water is slowly being brought under control.

The villagers are now demanding a permanent solution. They don’t want to go through another horrific incident like this. They also want someone to answer for what happened, whether it was negligence, poor maintenance, or something else.

The United States and Israel carried out fresh strikes on Iran’s key uranium enrichment site in Natanz on Saturday, according to Iranian state media reports. The attack targeted the strategically significant nuclear facility; however, no radioactive leaks had been detected following the attack.

Iranian authorities also stated that residents in the surrounding areas were not exposed to any danger. The development comes amid continued military exchanges targeting critical infrastructure and strategic installations in the region.

Natanz targeted again

The Natanz facility has emerged as a recurring flashpoint in the escalating conflict. This marks the second time the site has been hit since the current phase of hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran began.

Earlier, the International Atomic Energy Agency had confirmed partial damage to entrance structures at the facility based on satellite imagery analysis. It had noted that no radiological consequences were expected and that the core Fuel Enrichment Plant had not suffered additional impact beyond earlier damage.

The Natanz complex was also a primary target during the Israel-Iran 12-day war, when Israeli forces conducted multiple strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. The United States later joined the conflict in support of Israel, further intensifying the situation.

US weighs nuclear strategy

Amid ongoing tensions, media reports suggest that the administration of Donald Trump has been exploring options to secure or neutralise Iran’s nuclear material, signalling a potential escalation in strategic objectives.

Congress, AAP and Left parties on Saturday strongly condemned the manhandling of journalists and other employees at the United News of India (UNI) office at 9 Rafi Marg in New Delhi last evening and called the police action a direct assault on press freedom.

In an unprecedented development in the history of independent India’s media, the premises of the country’s prestigious news agency United News of India were forcibly vacated on Friday evening without any prior notice, with a heavy deployment of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces.

Some government officials entered the premises along with about 300 personnel and officers of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, as well as some lawyers, and began pressuring employees to immediately vacate the newsroom and leave the premises.

Strongly reacting to the sealing of the news agency’s office, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala in a post on X in Hindi said, “The way the media was treated by the police and paramilitary forces at the UNI (United News of India) premises, one thing is clear that the BJP government has issued a Hitler-like decree for the media fraternity.”

“In 2016, the central government imposed a one-day ban on NDTV Group’s Hindi news channel NDTV India for reporting that was exposing the government,” Surjewala further said.

Former Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj also condemned the incident.

In a post on X, Bhardwaj said, “This is wrong and unprecedented. This is happening to UNI right here in Delhi. Police cannot use force or threats against the press. The police have no right to abuse anyone.”

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also strongly condemned the alleged conduct of police forces during an operation at the United News of India (UNI) office on Rafi Marg, with party General Secretary M A Baby terming the incident “shocking” and “unacceptable in a democracy.”

‎In a statement, Baby criticised the role of the Delhi Police and accompanying paramilitary personnel, alleging that journalists were “dragged out and manhandled” during the action. He said the manner in which the operation was conducted reflected “high-handedness” and a disregard for basic rights.

‎“Such high-handedness, denial of advance notice and time to gather personal belongings, and reported mistreatment, including of women staff, is unacceptable in a democracy and cannot be justified under the cover of a court order,” the CPI(M) leader said.

‎The incident took place at UNI’s office on Rafi Marg in the heart of the national capital, a key hub for media organisations and government institutions. Journalists present at the scene have alleged that security personnel entered the premises without prior warning and forcibly evicted staff, leading to chaotic scenes and claims of physical mistreatment.

‎Emphasising the broader implications, Baby warned that such actions threaten the functioning of an independent press. “A free press cannot function under intimidation,” he said, calling on authorities to ensure accountability and safeguard the dignity and rights of journalists.

‎The United News of India, one of India’s oldest news agencies, has historically played a significant role in disseminating news across the country, and incidents involving its staff have drawn sharp attention from media bodies and political groups alike.

‎The statement by the CPI (M) adds to growing criticism from sections of the media and civil society, who have raised concerns over the treatment of journalists and the potential chilling effect on press freedom, with calls mounting for a thorough inquiry and accountability for those responsible.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar said in a statement, “The forcible takeover of the Rafi Marg office of United News of India (UNI)—the oldest news agency in the country—by the Delhi Police is a grave and unprecedented assault on press freedom.”

“Journalists were dragged and manhandled; even women journalists were not spared. The employees were denied the basic opportunity to collect their belongings or hear from the management. The entire operation was carried out with shocking disregard for legality, dignity and democratic norms,” he said in the statement.

The news agency has been operating for several decades from its premises at 9 Rafi Marg, New Delhi.

An Additional District and Sessions Court in Kollam on Saturday sentenced G Sandeep to life imprisonment in the sensational murder case of Dr Vandana Das at the Government Taluk Hospital in Kottarakkara.

In addition to life imprisonment for murder, the court awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempt to murder and another 10 years each for assaulting healthcare workers. A fine of ₹1 lakh was also imposed on the convict.

The court had, on March 17, found Sandeep guilty under multiple provisions of the IPC, including Section 302 (murder) and Section 307 (attempt to murder).

While pronouncing the sentence, the court observed that the prosecution had established the case through consistent eyewitness accounts, medical evidence, and material records. It rejected the defence argument that the accused suffered from a mental disorder.

Reacting to the verdict, Vandana Das’s parents said they would approach the High Court seeking further legal recourse.

Dr Vandana Das was fatally stabbed by a police detainee who had been brought for medical examination at the Government Taluk Hospital in Kottarakkara in Kerala’s Kollam district in the early hours of May 10, 2023.

The accused attacked her at around 4 am, and she later succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

The 42-year-old accused, a school teacher, had also assaulted four others at the hospital, including police personnel who had brought him for treatment. He had been taken into custody on the night of May 9, 2023, after allegedly attacking his family members.

According to reports, the police had taken him to the hospital for a mandatory medical examination after he sustained a minor injury. However, he turned violent without provocation and carried out the fatal attack.

Dr Vandana Das had completed her MBBS from a medical institute in Kollam and was undergoing her house surgency at the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital at the time of the incident. She hailed from Kaduthuruthy in Kottayam district.

The case had sparked widespread outrage across the state and raised serious concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals on duty.

A day after Pushkar Singh Dhami expanded his Cabinet by inducting five new faces, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described him as a “Dhurandhar” of politics, expressing confidence that he would steer the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Rajnath Singh made the remarks while addressing a rally in Haldwani on Saturday. He said Dhami has emerged as a “Dhurandhar” in politics and evolved into a seasoned and formidable leader in the state.

He recalled that he had earlier referred to Dhami as “Dhaakad” ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, in which the BJP created history by returning to power for a second consecutive term.

At the rally, Singh again described Dhami as both “Dhaakad” and “Dhurandhar,” saying he is poised to “hit a six” in the 2027 Assembly polls.

Praising the work done under Dhami’s leadership, he said Uttarakhand is steadily progressing towards becoming a model state in all respects.

“In his first four years in office, Pushkar Singh Dhami has already hit a solid four. By the 2027 Assembly elections, his tenure will enter its sixth year, and he is poised to hit a ‘six,’ leading the BJP to form the government for a third consecutive term,” Singh said.

The Defence Minister lauded the state government’s performance across sectors, including women’s empowerment, soldiers’ welfare, and economic and infrastructure development.

He also said that the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has set an example in women’s empowerment, while action against illegal infiltrators has helped preserve the identity of Uttarakhand.

Notably, Singh’s remarks came a day after Dhami expanded his Cabinet amid questions raised by some senior BJP leaders in the state regarding governance. Uttarakhand is scheduled to go to the Assembly polls in early 2027.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have begun preparations for the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the defending champions returned to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with renewed focus ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Addressing the squad during the first training session, star batter Virat Kohli stressed the importance of maintaining the standards that helped the franchise secure last year’s title.

“We worked really hard over the last two to three seasons to achieve what we did last year, and it’s only going to get tougher because other teams are going to come hard at us.”

Emphasising the need to make the most of the preparation period, Kohli added, “We don’t waste these days. We stay ahead. So switch on now. Let’s not waste even a minute of any session that we are a part of. We must give our 120 per cent for these two and a half months.”

The opening session also saw the integration of several new members into the squad. Head coach Andy Flower welcomed the latest additions, including Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal and Satvik Deswal. He also made special mention of Under-19 World Cup winners Kanishk Chouhan and Vihaan Malhotra.

“We had an interesting auction, and I think we’ve improved our squad, to be quite frank. We’ve brought in some great new additions. Integrating them into the RCB way alongside established players led by Virat and Rajat is an exciting part of building this team,” Flower said.

“There is one difference this year, we’ve got a star on our shirt. That’s a very proud feeling for all RCB fans. But that season is gone. Now we have a new challenge ahead, and it’s an exciting one. We’re here to win this year’s IPL,” he continued.

New recruit and wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma also expressed his enthusiasm about joining the setup. “Everyone was very excited to meet each other. I was excited to get more batting time. I got a chance to meet all the coaches and train again.”

Flower also highlighted the advantage of beginning the campaign at home.

“Our first game is here at Chinnaswamy, which is a fantastic opportunity for us to build momentum early and be welcomed by our home fans. The outfield is looking superb, lush, green and beautiful.”

RCB will begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Former Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten has spoken about his brief tenure with the side, revealing that extensive involvement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) played a significant role in his premature departure.

Kirsten, who was appointed in April 2024 on a two-year contract, stepped down as head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams after just six months, leaving only days before the team’s scheduled ODI tour of Australia.

The former South Africa opener said the level of external influence in team matters was unlike anything he had encountered before.

“The thing that surprised me more than anything was the level of interference. I don’t think I have ever seen it at that level before. Did it surprise me? I don’t know, but it was significant,” Kirsten told talkSPORT Cricket.

Following his resignation, the PCB appointed Test coach Jason Gillespie as interim coach of the white-ball team for the Australia tour, which featured six limited-overs matches. However, Gillespie also stepped down from his role a few months later.

Kirsten explained that the persistent external pressure made it difficult to build a stable working environment with the players. “It is quite difficult for a coach to come and formulate a way that you can work with the players when there is just this constant noise from the outside. It was tough, just this constant noise from the outside and a lot of punitive actions around poor performance and stuff like that,” he said.

He further noted that coaches often become the easiest targets when results do not go a team’s way.

“As a coach, you are the lowest hanging fruit when the team isn’t going well, so let us get rid of the coach or let us put a restriction on the coach because that is the easiest thing to do when the teams are performing, and that is kind of counterproductive in my view,” he added.