The high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election' held its first meeting on Saturday. Headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the eight-member panel decided to seek views of political parties and the Law Commission on synchronized polls. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and others. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury declined to be part of the committee. The panel will examine required amendments to the Constitution and laws to enable holding simultaneous elections. It will submit recommendations at the earliest on holding concurrent polls for Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies.

A dossier reveals that murdered Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was involved in crime since the 1980s with local goons, later fleeing to Canada in 1996. He allegedly visited Pakistan in 2012 for terror training on a forged passport. Nijjar was initiated into gangs by Gurnek Singh alias Neka, associated with KCF militants, and later worked closely with KTF chief Jagtar Tara as per the dossier. Nijjar allegedly ordered several killings and attacks in Punjab while in Canada, raising funds for terror activities through associates involved in drugs and arms smuggling. He worked with Arshdeep Gill to target Dera Sacha Sauda and kill the father-son duo in Bathinda. The Canadian Prime Minister has accused Indian government agents of involvement in Nijjar's killing, sparking a diplomatic crisis.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and endorsed India and Japan as permanent members. Speaking at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wong emphasized the need for greater representation from Africa, Latin America, and Asia. She advocated for permanent seats for India and Japan while urging constraints on the use of veto power by permanent members. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have also supported India's bid for a permanent UNSC seat, highlighting the ongoing discussions regarding UNSC reforms. [Image Courtesy: Money Sharma/AFP/Getty]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for an international cricket stadium in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Saturday. The stadium will be the third international facility in Uttar Pradesh after Kanpur and Lucknow. PM Modi says nowadays even parents realise the importance of sports. “Jo khelega, wahi khilega,” says Modi. He highlighted the stadium's benefits for local youth and sports development. He also addressed a rally of women supporters in Varanasi, speaking about the recently passed women's reservation bill that reserves parliamentary seats for women. Modi inaugurated 16 new residential schools in the city earlier in the day. 

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confiscated properties owned by Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Chandigarh and Amritsar. The seizures were made under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act based on a 2020 NIA case declaring Pannu a proclaimed offender. Notices were posted marking the seizure of Pannu's Chandigarh residence share and 46 kanals of ancestral farmland in Amritsar. Pannu heads the US-based SFJ, which was banned in India for promoting secessionism. The confiscations signal the NIA's crackdown on Khalistani extremism and terror funding channels.

At the India-Brazil-South Africa ministerial meeting in New York, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed counterparts on India's new law reserving parliamentary seats for women. South Africa's foreign minister Naledi Pandor applauded the move, leading to applause from delegates. Separately, in talks with UK and Bahrain foreign ministers, Jaishankar received congratulations on India's successful G20 presidency. The praise comes amidst global debates over Canada's allegations against India. India's women's reservation bill and G20 leadership have bolstered its diplomatic credentials on the world stage

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has applauded the passage of India's landmark bill to reserve one-third of seats in parliament and state legislatures for women. USISPF President Mukesh Aghi praised the legislation as a major step towards gender equality in India's political sphere. He lauded Prime Minister Modi and the Indian government for pushing through this transformative quota to boost women's representation, which currently stands at just 15% in parliament. Aghi emphasized the importance of empowering more women leaders in the world's largest democracy. The quota bill recently received unanimous backing in India's upper house.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited BSP MP Danish Ali at his residence in Delhi on Friday. This comes amid uproar over BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's objectionable remarks against Ali in Lok Sabha earlier. Rahul was accompanied by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and MP Imran Pratapgarhi during the meeting. Interacting with media later, Rahul stated "Nafrat ke Bazaar mein Mohabbat ki Dukan." His visit to Danish Ali signifies Congress's support to the BSP MP who had been at the receiving end of communal comments by Bidhuri. The Congress leader's statement indicates countering hate with love. The meeting comes as opposition demands action against Bidhuri for his unacceptable remarks in Parliament aimed at Danish Ali.

BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali said he is considering "leaving" Parliament if no action is taken against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for using communal slurs against him in Lok Sabha. Danish Ali said Bidhuri directed "foul, abusive invectives" against him, which is unparalleled. In a letter to the Speaker, he sought action against Bidhuri under breach of privilege rules. He said Bidhuri's remarks have shamed the country and are a threat. Speaker Om Birla warned Bidhuri of severe action and expunged his comments. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret but the opposition demanded Bidhuri's suspension or arrest. Danish Ali said if this can happen to an MP, what will happen to a common man. He questioned if hate speech is what's taught in the "laboratory of new India".

The BJP has issued a show cause notice to its MP Ramesh Bidhuri for using abusive slurs against BSP MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha. Bidhuri's offensive remarks during a discussion on the Chandrayan 3 mission were expunged from records. Ali said he may resign as MP if action is not taken against Bidhuri. Bidhuri's comments sparked outrage, with the opposition demanding Bidhuri's suspension for insulting the Parliament. Earlier, Speaker Om Birla took serious note and warned Bidhuri of serious consequences if such conduct recurs. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has demanded Bidhuri's suspension from the Parliament, saying that the language used by him "should not be used inside or outside Parliament".