Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP government of suppressing the real death toll from the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj on January 29. While the government has reported 30 deaths and 60 injuries, the Opposition claims the actual number is much higher. Demand for Transparency and Accountability Speaking in Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, Yadav demanded official data on the tragedy and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the arrangements and failures of the event. He further urged that disaster management and the lost and found center for Maha Kumbh should be handed over to the Indian Army. Allegations of Evidence Destruction Yadav made a serious allegation, claiming that JCB machines were used at the stampede site to destroy evidence. He insisted that the government reveal the number of deaths, treatment of the injured, and details of medical and logistical arrangements in Parliament. Opposition’s Strong Criticism Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav further alleged that 15,000 people are missing since the incident, with families receiving no information from the government. The Opposition has repeatedly accused the BJP of hiding the truth, demanding strict action against those responsible. Parliament Disruptions Over Maha Kumbh Tragedy On Monday, a united Opposition disrupted both houses of Parliament, demanding an immediate discussion on the Maha Kumbh stampede. The government has yet to respond to allegations of data suppression, intensifying political tensions over the handling of the tragedy.

In a first-of-its-kind deportation since President Donald Trump’s return to office, a US military aircraft carrying Indian migrants has departed for India, a US official told Reuters on Monday. The C-17 military aircraft is expected to land in India within 24 hours. US Expands Military Role in Deportations Under Trump’s administration, the US military has taken a more active role in immigration enforcement, including deploying additional troops to the US-Mexico border, using military facilities to house migrants, and employing military planes for deportations. While similar flights have previously deported migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, this marks the first time India has been included in the program since Trump reassumed office. The Pentagon has begun arranging flights to deport over 5,000 migrants detained in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, according to Reuters. Trump and Rubio Discuss Immigration With Indian Leaders Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised concerns over illegal Indian immigration in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Trump emphasized that he expects India to “do what is right” in accepting the return of undocumented Indian migrants. The White House described the conversation as “productive,” highlighting efforts to strengthen US-India cooperation. Meanwhile, Rubio discussed “irregular immigration” with Jaishankar, who reiterated that India does not support illegal migration. “Illegal immigration is often linked to other unlawful activities. It is neither desirable nor beneficial for our reputation,” Jaishankar said, adding that India is open to accepting verified Indian citizens who entered the US illegally. Deportation Costs and India’s Response Military deportation flights are far more expensive than those operated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A recent military deportation flight to Guatemala reportedly cost $4,675 per migrant, according to Reuters. This unprecedented deportation signals a tougher stance on illegal immigration under Trump’s leadership, while also testing India’s diplomatic approach to handling returning migrants.

Shantanu Naidu has taken on a new role as General Manager, Head – Strategic Initiatives at Tata Motors. Sharing the news on LinkedIn, he reflected on his childhood memories of his father working at Tata Motors, calling it a “full-circle” moment. An automobile design engineer, Naidu first gained recognition in 2014 for developing an innovation to protect stray dogs from speeding vehicles. His work caught the attention of Ratan Tata, who not only invested in the project but also became his mentor, boss, and close friend. In 2018, Naidu joined Ratan Tata as his assistant, and their unique friendship has since drawn widespread admiration. A heartwarming video of him singing a birthday song for Tata went viral, showcasing their close bond. Naidu completed his engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2014 and pursued an MBA from Cornell University in 2016. He later authored I Came Upon a Lighthouse, a book offering a personal and light-hearted insight into his journey with Ratan Tata, beyond his corporate achievements. Their friendship extends beyond business, with Ratan Tata reportedly waiving Naidu’s education loan in his will. Tata also relinquished his ownership in Goodfellows, a venture Naidu launched in 2021 to provide companionship to elderly individuals in India. Naidu’s journey from an inspired young engineer to a key leader at Tata Motors stands as a testament to his hard work and the enduring mentorship of Ratan Tata.

Amidst chants of “Har Har Gange” and “Har Har Mahadev”, thousands of sadhus from seven major Akhadas took the sacred “Amrit Snan” at the Sangam in Prayagraj on Monday, marking the final holy dip of the Maha Kumbh 2025 on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Led by Mahamandaleshwars in decorated chariots, ascetics—some covered in ashes, others holding trishuls, swords, and damrus—walked barefoot or rode horses toward the Sangam. Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani, Atal, Niranjani, Anand, Juna, Awahan, and Panchagin were among the participating Akharas, completing their dip by 9:30 AM. This marks the third and final Amrit Snan, following the ones on January 14 (Makar Sankranti) and January 29 (Mauni Amavasya)—the latter witnessing a stampede that claimed 30 lives. As the Akharas moved from their Sector 20 camps, 20 quintals of flower petals were showered on them by helicopters. The first snan began at 5:40 AM, with all 13 Akharas expected to complete their ritual by 3 PM. Over 62 lakh devotees had already bathed by 8 AM, with the total expected to reach 5 crore by day’s end. The Maha Kumbh will continue until February 26, Maha Shivratri. “Today marks the final ‘Amrit Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh. After this, we will proceed to Varanasi. Devotees are advised to avoid the Sangam ghat unless necessary,” said Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad.

Rahul Gandhi Slams Arvind Kejriwal, Challenges Him to Drink Yamuna Water In a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday criticized the former Delhi Chief Minister for failing to clean the Yamuna River, a promise made years ago. Addressing a rally at Hauz Qazi Chowk, Gandhi mockingly challenged Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna and even sip its water, saying, “We will meet in the hospital after that.” Gandhi also took aim at AAP’s “core team”, naming leaders like Manish Sisodia, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, and Satyendra Jain, questioning the lack of representation from Dalit, OBC, and Muslim communities. He likened Kejriwal’s leadership to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that both follow similar political tactics. Declaring that the electoral battle is between two opposing ideologies—“unity” (Congress) and “hatred” (BJP-RSS)—Gandhi asserted that while Modi holds power today, “no one will remember him once he steps down.” The Delhi Assembly elections are set for February 5, with results to be announced on February 8.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa clinched the Tata Steel Masters chess title on Sunday in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, overcoming reigning world champion D. Gukesh in a dramatic 2-1 tiebreaker. After both players finished the 13th and final round tied at 8.5 points, the stage was set for an intense tiebreak showdown. Both had suffered unexpected losses in the final round—Praggnanandhaa to Germany’s Vincent Keymer and Gukesh to Arjun Erigaisi—yet remained joint leaders. The tiebreaker unfolded with high tension: With flawless endgame technique, Praggnanandhaa secured his first-ever Masters title, while Gukesh suffered heartbreak in the tiebreaker for the second consecutive year, having lost to Wei Yi in 2024. The victory marks another milestone for Praggnanandhaa, reinforcing his status among the world’s elite chess players.

India’s manufacturing sector saw its strongest growth in six months in January, driven by a surge in new orders and record-breaking export growth, according to the HSBC India Manufacturing PMI released on Monday. The PMI climbed to 57.7, up from 56.4 in December, signaling a sharp improvement in industrial activity. New orders rose at the fastest pace since July, fueled by strong domestic demand and a nearly 14-year high in export growth. With international sales gaining momentum, manufacturers reported demand spikes from multiple global markets. “India’s final manufacturing PMI marked a six-month high in January. Domestic and export demand were both strong, supporting new orders growth. The employment PMI hit its highest level since the series was created,” said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC. Despite easing input costs—the weakest in 11 months—firms continued raising selling prices due to strong demand and improved business confidence. Hiring also saw a significant boost, with employment in the sector reaching its highest level since records began. With manufacturing activity accelerating and global demand on the rise, India’s industrial sector is poised for a strong start to 2025.

The Indian rupee fell to a record low on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, heightening fears of a global trade war. The rupee touched 87.28 per U.S. dollar before closing at 87.1850, marking its steepest single-day drop since January 13. Asian currencies weakened as the dollar surged, with the Mexican peso plummeting over 2% and the offshore Chinese yuan declining 0.3%. Global equity markets also tumbled, with Asian and European stocks in the red and U.S. equity futures pointing lower. Despite intermittent dollar sales by state-run banks, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) refrained from heavy intervention, signaling a possible shift towards allowing the rupee to align with market trends. Analysts expect further currency adjustments amid persistent economic headwinds. With Trump’s tariffs set to take effect on Tuesday, market watchers anticipate continued volatility, with ING Bank noting that the dollar index (DXY) is likely to remain strong, having climbed over 1% to 109.7.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and his girlfriend, actress Dakota Johnson, recently surprised fans by attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. A viral Instagram video shared by a fan captured the duo taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, embracing Indian traditions with deep respect. Chris and Dakota Participate in Kumbh Rituals In the clip, Bharat Chaudhary and his partner were seen performing rituals when they spotted Chris and Dakota nearby. While Chris wore black shorts, Dakota was dressed in a kurta and trousers. The Coldplay singer was seen greeting Bharat’s partner with folded hands and later offering prayers with his eyes closed. The video’s text read: “When you chose Kumbh over Coldplay but Mahadev has different plans and Coldplay comes to you!! Chris Martin wins for his respect to Triveni Sangam and Kumbh!” Sharing the video, Bharat captioned it: “When you can’t go to the concert, the artist comes to you—at Kumbh Mela! Took a Sangam Snan with none other than Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Dakota, who followed every ritual with deep respect. Music unites, but faith transcends. Har Har Mahadev!” Internet Reacts to the Unexpected Crossover Fans were thrilled by the unexpected presence of the global music icon at the spiritual gathering. Coldplay’s India Tour & Their Kumbh Visit Chris and Dakota were spotted in Prayagraj on January 27, dressed in saffron-colored outfits while traveling in a car. The couple arrived in India on January 16 for Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour, performing in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Their final concert in India took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Republic Day. Their visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela has further deepened fans’ admiration for Chris Martin’s cultural curiosity and humility.

Bollywood is set to welcome a new pair of fresh faces as Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor team up for Nadaaniyan, an upcoming romantic drama produced by Karan Johar under Dharmatic Entertainment. The film, directed by debutant Shauna Gautam, will release directly on Netflix. First Look and Poster Reveal The first poster of Nadaaniyan was unveiled on Saturday morning, featuring Ibrahim and Khushi in a casual, intimate pose on a green field. The reveal came just days after Karan Johar officially announced Ibrahim’s launch, with Khushi teasing her involvement through a cryptic Instagram post. A Tale of Young Love Netflix describes Nadaaniyan as a heartfelt coming-of-age romance that captures the magic, excitement, and innocence of first love. The story follows Piya, a bold and spirited girl from South Delhi, and Arjun, a determined middle-class boy from Noida. Their vastly different worlds collide, leading to a journey filled with mischief, heart, and the messy yet beautiful emotions of young love. Star-Studded Supporting Cast Apart from the lead pair, Nadaaniyan boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Mahima Chaudhary, Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, and Jugal Hansraj. The film is backed by producers Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra. Ibrahim Ali Khan’s Bollywood Journey Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, follows in the footsteps of his sister Sara Ali Khan. Before making his acting debut, he worked as an assistant director on Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). Nadaaniyan marks his first film release, with Sarzameen, directed by Kayoze Irani and co-starring Kajol, lined up next. With its youthful charm and fresh pairing, Nadaaniyan is set to be a much-anticipated watch for Bollywood fans when it premieres on Netflix.