{"id":2218530,"date":"2026-10-24T04:56:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T01:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2218530"},"modified":"2026-10-24T04:56:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T01:56:15","slug":"concern-grows-over-voter-verification-drive-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2218530","title":{"rendered":"Concern grows over voter verification drive in India"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79568976_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Oc7e<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79568976_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79568976_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79568976_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79568976_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi m1ho1h07 lofg86o blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">Rahul Gandhi&#8217;s call comes after a newspaper investigation found Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar allegedly took unilateral decisions that resulted in a mass deletion of voters [FILE: October 6, 2026]<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t icns9en idu7i8u lxmvniw m4xla6a rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">Image: AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx lt5vbch pohyj9x m1u0isv1 b16w0xvi\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<ul>\n<li>Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged people to join a &#8220;Save the Vote, Save the Country&#8221; march and rally in New Delhi on November 1<\/li>\n<li>India&#8217;s weather department warned of an incoming severe cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal<\/li>\n<li>Hundreds form human chain in Hyderabad protesting Election Commission&#8217;s SIR<\/li>\n<li>Neha Bora refuses to sign police peace bond<\/li>\n<li>Indian Foreign Ministry blamed Chinese patrolling deviations for border disruptions<\/li>\n<li>Violence in Arunachal over proposed hydropower project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the top headlines <\/em><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">from India<\/a><em> this weekend on Saturday and Sunday,\u00a0October 24-25:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Tired of missing our real-time updates? <\/em><a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=dw.com\" title=\"External link \u2014 Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google\">Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google<\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79754351\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79754351\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Rahul Gandhi targets BJP over alleged voter deletions, announces Delhi rally<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">Published 10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">Published October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><span class=\"last-update lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">last updated 10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">last updated October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Rahul Gandhi targets BJP over alleged voter deletions, announces Delhi rally<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79648037\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79648037_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Rahul Gandhi joins a protest march against the controversial revision of voter lists in New Delhi, \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Gandhi&#8217;s allegations come amid protests against the Election Commission&#8217;s revision of electoral rolls [FILE: October 12, 2026]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Bhawika Chhabra\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged students, farmers, workers, women, young people and traders to join a &#8220;Save the Vote, Save the Country&#8221; <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">march and rally in New Delhi<\/a> on November 1.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed rally, alleging widespread deletions from electoral rolls and violations of rules, is planned to be held at Delhi&#8217;s Ramlila Maidan.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, the opposition leader alleged votes were being &#8220;stolen&#8221; by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Names have been removed from the voter lists. Rules and laws have been broken,&#8221; Gandhi wrote, adding that people &#8220;will not tolerate this quietly&#8221; anymore.<\/p>\n<p>Various organizations in India, including the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-cjp-leader-abhijeet-dipke-released-after-detention\/a-79690933\">youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)<\/a>, are protesting a sweeping exercise which has so far purged over 130 million names from the country&#8217;s draft electoral rolls.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, a bloc of Indian political parties, staged a protest in Delhi demanding the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-supreme-court-hears-rahul-gandhis-election-commission-plea\/live-79665180\">resignation of India&#8217;s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar<\/a> over alleged misconduct.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Gandhi&#8217;s allegations come amid protests against the Election Commission&#8217;s revision of the voter rolls.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have intensified amid <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-opposition-huddle-over-tea-after-thousands-march-in-their-delhi-protest\/live-79646819\">opposition allegations<\/a> that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could disenfranchise eligible voters and benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#8217;s BJP.<\/p>\n<p>The Election Commission has defended the revision as an exercise to verify and update electoral rolls.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Concern grows over voter verification drive in India\" class=\"headline\">Concern grows over voter verification drive in India<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-73407440\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"73407440\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/73395841_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:50\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20250725_BIHARVOTE09E_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OdkV<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79753880\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79753880\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section WATCH: What does Gen Z want for Tamil Nadu&#8217;s future?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">WATCH: What does Gen Z want for Tamil Nadu&#8217;s future?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"author-details\"><span><span class=\"no-link m1ho1h07 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">Nantha Kishore<\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"separator lxmvniw m4xla6a rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"> | <\/span><span class=\"no-link m1ho1h07 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">Naveen Kishore<\/span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"> in Chennai, India<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Young people from across Tamil Nadu share their views on local politics, the changes they want to see and their hopes for the state&#8217;s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 What does Gen Z want for Tamil Nadu&apos;s future?\" class=\"headline\">What does Gen Z want for Tamil Nadu&#8217;s future?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79742266\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79742266\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79742202_605.webp\" data-duration=\"06:20\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG261023_DWVGENG261020_30TamilVoices-LT_01IMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Odcu<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79753746\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79753746\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section India carries out major operation against international drug cartel<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">India carries out major operation against international drug cartel<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah says\u00a0Indian agencies have carried out a major crackdown on an <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/illegal-drug-trade\/t-68091141\">international narcotics cartel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The home minister said 18 people were arrested across 38 locations in the northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23 during a crackdown on an alleged international narcotics cartel.<\/p>\n<p>Shah said Operation Trident\u00a0uncovered hawala transactions worth \u20b9100 crore (around \u20ac9.4 million). Authorities also froze 1,424 bank accounts, seized properties worth \u20b917.82 crore and 500 detonators, and recovered \u20b912 lakh in cash, he said.<\/p>\n<p>According to Shah, the network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through what he described as the &#8220;Death Triangle Corridor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-india-became-a-methamphetamine-and-cocaine-hub\/a-71210919\">drug cartels<\/a>,&#8221; Shah said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Odak<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79753593\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79753593\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Hundreds form human chain in Hyderabad protesting Election Commission&#8217;s SIR<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Hundreds form human chain in Hyderabad protesting Election Commission&#8217;s SIR<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79753462\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79753462_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Protesters form human chains over alleged irregularities in voter rolls\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Those gathered also condemned police action against demonstrators, particularly in Delhi<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jwala Kotesh\/NurPhoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hundreds of people formed a human chain in the southern city of Hyderabad on Saturday, reports said, as the controversy over <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">India&#8217;s revision of voter rolls continues<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Various organizations, including India&#8217;s youth-led\u00a0Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a newspaper investigation alleged impropriety during a large-scale voter-roll revision.<\/p>\n<p>The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) saw the deletion of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls nationwide.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79753448\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79753448_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Protesters form human chains while holding placards demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Protesters alleged that SIR of electoral rolls could disenfranchise nearly half of Telangana&#8217;s electorate<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jwala Kotesh\/NurPhoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The protesters in the capital of the Telangana state demanded:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the scrapping of the SIR of electoral rolls,<\/li>\n<li>restoration of deleted voters<\/li>\n<li>removal of Kumar and<\/li>\n<li>the repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner Act, 2023, which appointed Kumar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The demonstration was organized by civil society, human rights, farmers, Dalit, youth and student groups where participants alleged that the exercise <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-supreme-court-hears-rahul-gandhis-election-commission-plea\/live-79665180\">could disenfranchise<\/a> nearly half of Telangana&#8217;s electorate, media reports said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We refuse to be silenced by the repressive Modi Government which stands exposed,&#8221; one protester told the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>Those gathered also <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-cjp-leader-abhijeet-dipke-released-after-detention\/a-79690933\">condemned police action against demonstrators<\/a>, particularly in Delhi, and asserted that peaceful protest was a constitutional right, according to reports.<\/p>\n<p>The SIR is underway in Telangana, with the final electoral rolls scheduled for publication on November 9.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 India: Protesters jailed amid election row\" class=\"headline\">India: Protesters jailed amid election row<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79667589\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79667589\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79656298_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:02\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG261015_IndiaNew_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OdYH<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79753481\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79753481\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section IMD warns severe cyclone to hit Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">IMD warns severe cyclone to hit Andhra Pradesh<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"74532926\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/74532926_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A commuter rides during rainfall ahead of the severe cyclone Montha landfall in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Last year, Cyclone Montha made landfall along India&#8217;s eastern coast bringing torrential rain and strong winds as authorities evacuated tens of thousands of residents [FILE: October 28, 2025]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jwala Kotesh\/NurPhoto\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Parts of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were on alert on Sunday as India&#8217;s weather department warned of an <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/extreme-weather\/t-19020379\">incoming severe cyclonic storm<\/a> over Bay of Bengal.<\/p>\n<p>According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.<\/p>\n<p>IMD said the &#8220;maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 km\/h gusting to 140 km\/h by forenoon&#8221; is expected by October 28, when the storm is likely to make landfall.<\/p>\n<p>Schools and colleges in five southern Odisha districts bordering Andhra Pradesh will stay closed on October 28 and 29, the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper reported,<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-heavy-monsoon-season-claims-more-than-100-lives\/live-78240054\">as authorities took stock of the situation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-tribal-politician-draupadi-murmu-wins-presidential-vote\/a-62559372\">President Droupadi Murmu&#8217;s<\/a> scheduled two-day visit to Odisha on October 28-29 has also\u00a0been postponed to early November due to the impending cyclone, according to the paper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OdWT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79753469\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79753469\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Welcome back!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/25\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 25, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Welcome back!<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Hello! This is Shakeel from DW&#8217;s New Delhi Studio bring you the top updates from across India this bright and sunny morning in Delhi.<\/p>\n<p>Schools and colleges have been shut and a presidential visit deferred over\u00a0a <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/extreme-weather\/t-19020379\">brewing cyclone<\/a>\u00a0in the Bay of Bengal. Weather officials predict\u00a0very heavy rainfall forecast in several districts of the southern Andhra Pradesh state.<\/p>\n<p>In Hyderabad, hundreds of people formed a human chain\u00a0on Saturday demanding the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls as the controversy over the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-opposition-parties-march-to-supreme-court\/live-79638649\">electoral reforms by the Election Commission of India<\/a> refuses to die.<\/p>\n<p>For all this and more, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">follow our liveblog<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OdWH<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79751726\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79751726\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section We&#8217;re pausing coverage<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">We&#8217;re pausing coverage<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Thank you for reading our blog about news events in India.\u00a0We&#8217;ll be back with the latest headlines out of the country once again on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Od4A<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79750965\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79750965\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Delhi&#8217;s Jamia Millia Islamia University moves classes online amid student protests<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Delhi&#8217;s Jamia Millia Islamia University moves classes online amid student protests<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Jamia Millia Islamia University\u00a0in Delhi has moved all classes online with immediate effect after student protesters demanding the restoration of campus union elections clashed with security guards on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The university said the decision was taken to ensure students\u2019 safety. The administration also directed faculty members to provide academic support and learning materials for online classes until further notice.<\/p>\n<p>Protests began on October 12, with students demanding the reinstatement of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students\u2019 Union, which was disbanded in 2006 following campus violence and academic disruptions.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions escalated on Saturday when security guards reportedly attempted\u00a0to remove tents set up by protesters. Videos circulating online appeared to show students and guards scuffling.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have also sparked controversy over posters and slogans calling for the release of jailed activist Sharjeel Imam, who faces charges linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"75399069\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75399069_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Family members and JNU students join a freedom march on September 13, 2025 after the Delhi High Court rejected bail pleas in the 2020 riots case.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Sharjeel Imam is a former JNU student who has been jailed since 2020 in  conspiracy charges linked to the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, which he denies. (File photo)<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Sanjeev Verma\/Hindustan Times\/Sipa USA\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Ocrt<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79749924\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79749924\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Neha Bora refuses to sign police peace bond<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Neha Bora refuses to sign police peace bond<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79749886\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79749886_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Neha Bora shout slogans from a police bus after being detained\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Bora said AISA had not called the Central Park protest cited in the notice as grounds for the bond [FILE: October 16, 2026]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Adnan Abidi\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Student leader <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/who-are-the-women-powering-indias-youth-led-cockroach-protests\/a-79709824\">Neha Bora<\/a> said on Saturday they would not sign a peace bond, alleging that the evidence cited by police was factually incorrect.<\/p>\n<p>The All India Students&#8217; Association (AISA) leader, who uses they\/them pronouns, made the statement\u00a0a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed their plea challenging a police notice directing them to execute a Rs 10,000 (\u20ac94.39) personal bond with surety to maintain peace.<\/p>\n<p>AISA and India&#8217;s youth-led \u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-cockroach-movement\/t-78052064\">Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)<\/a>, along with other organizations, are demanding\u00a0the resignation of controversy-hit Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a newspaper investigation alleged impropriety during a large-scale voter-roll revision, which saw the deletion of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our concern is that people may be deprived of one of their most fundamental democratic rights: the right to vote,&#8221; Bora wrote in an oped in the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Bora said AISA had not called the Central Park protest cited in the notice as grounds for the bond. They also questioned whether peaceful demonstrations against alleged voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise could be considered a breach of peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is essential that peaceful protests and democratic demonstrations on the streets are not declared a breach of peace,&#8221; they said, adding that they would challenge the interpretation and enforcement of such bonds in court.<\/p>\n<p>Bora said neither they nor AISA would sign the bond, arguing that it violated the fundamental right to democratic dissent.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 India: Protesters jailed amid election row\" class=\"headline\">India: Protesters jailed amid election row<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79667589\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79667589\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79656298_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:02\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG261015_IndiaNew_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Ocb6<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79749136\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79749136\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Five killed in blast during roadwork in Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Five killed in blast during roadwork in Andhra Pradesh<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Five people were killed on Saturday when explosive material misfired during road-widening work in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, the <em>Hindustan Times<\/em> reported citing the police.<\/p>\n<p>The blast occurred in Pinakota village in Alluri Sitharama Raju district during rock blasting for road expansion.<\/p>\n<p>The explosion also destroyed two vehicles, the report said.<\/p>\n<p>State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed condolences to the victims&#8217; families and directed officials to ensure medical treatment for the injured and provide assistance to those affected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OcOO<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79748975\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79748975\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Violence in Arunachal over proposed hydropower project<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Violence in Arunachal over proposed hydropower project<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>A police station was reportedly burnt down and seven police vehicles torched on Friday by angry protesters opposing a proposed <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/energiewende-transition-to-renewable-power-sources\/t-17351905\">hydropower<\/a> project in Pasighat in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, the <em>Arunachal Times<\/em> newspaper said.<\/p>\n<p>The violence broke out in Pasighat after police fired tear gas at youths protesting the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), according to local media.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters also allegedly set fire to a National <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/renewable-energy\/t-19008095\">Hydroelectric<\/a> Power Corporation (NHPC) office, while a journalist was injured in the unrest, reports said.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters are demanding the release of detained activists, the withdrawal of security forces from the Siang region and an immediate halt to survey work on the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hydropower\/t-19044836\">hydropower project.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Authorities have deployed additional security personnel in the region as tensions remained high.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OcLn<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79748583\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79748583\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Jio Platforms IPO draws record demand, subscribed more than 22 times<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Jio Platforms IPO draws record demand, subscribed more than 22 times<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79748468\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79748468_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"People ride past a Jio advertisement board in Mumbai\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Jio Platforms IPO attracted a record more than 13.8 million applications [FILE: October 21, 2026]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Francis Mascarenhas\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bids for Jio Platforms&#8217; initial public offering (IPO) topped $77 billion (\u20ac68.74 billion) on Friday, making it India&#8217;s most subscribed share offering. Demand exceeded 22 times the shares on offer.<\/p>\n<p>The IPO of the\u00a0telecoms and digital unit of Reliance Industries, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, attracted more than 13.8 million applications\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a record for India.<\/p>\n<p>The offering values Jio Platforms at up to $108.3 billion.<\/p>\n<p><span>Led by <\/span><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/asias-richest-man-mukesh-ambani-takes-on-amazon-with-new-online-retail-marketplace\/a-51865528\">Ambani&#8217;s<\/a><span> son Akash, the company operates a mobile network serving more than 500 million users and counts Meta and Google among its investors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The shares are expected to list on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The IPO comes just days after\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/elon-musk\/t-63587027\">Elon Musk<\/a>\u00a0criticized regulatory delays facing Starlink in India, accusing Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani of keeping <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/starlink\/t-79668524\">Starlink<\/a> out of the India market.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Elon Musk vs. Mukesh Ambani: Battle for India\u2019s telecom market\" class=\"headline\">Elon Musk vs. Mukesh Ambani: Battle for India\u2019s telecom market<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79678020\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79678020\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79676630_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:28\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/BUSI\/BUSIENG260601_QWIStarlinkCMS_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OcFT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79748260\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79748260\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Three children among five killed in firecracker workshop explosions in Bihar<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Three children among five killed in firecracker workshop explosions in Bihar<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Three children were among the five killed on Friday when a series of explosions ripped through a firecracker workshop operating from a private home in the eastern state of Bihar, police said.<\/p>\n<p>According to the police residents fear more people may be buried under the rubble.<\/p>\n<p>The workshop&#8217;s owner and four relatives were among those killed in the incident in Siwan district.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>Hindustan Times<\/em> newspaper, a witness said that body parts of some of those killed in the blast were &#8220;strewn all over.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-35-killed-in-telangana-pharmaceutical-factory-blast\/a-73094602\">Industrial accidents<\/a>, especially in firework factories, are common <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">in India,<\/a> where safety standards are often poorly enforced.<\/p>\n<p>In recent past:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In August, 11 people, including eight children, were killed by an explosion in a firecracker workshop operating from a residential area in northern Uttar Pradesh state<\/li>\n<li>In March, a fire at a fireworks factory in Maharashtra state India killed 17 people and injured 18 people<\/li>\n<li>In April, eight people were killed and 15 injured when a firecracker warehouse in Kerala in south India caught fire<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5OcAG<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79748106\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79748106\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section India blames Chinese patrolling deviations for border disruptions<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">India blames Chinese patrolling deviations for border disruptions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"63949339\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/63949339_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A helicopter carrying Indian army soldiers takes off during Indo-US joint exercise in Auli, Uttarakhand\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">India&#8217;s China border police chief has said that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops are continuing at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh [FILE: November 29, 2022]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Manish Swarup\/AP\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>India&#8217;s Foreign Ministry said on Friday the situation along the India-China border was periodically disrupted when <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/china\/t-18480887\">Chinese<\/a> forces deviated from established patrolling patterns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both sides continue to use <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-brics-strategy-tested-with-xi-putin-set-to-visit\/a-79231879\">existing diplomatic<\/a> and military mechanisms to resolve outstanding issues and avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC),&#8221; the ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the media.<\/p>\n<p>The two countries have also agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in certain areas to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-india-uses-remote-island-to-show-strength-against-china\/a-77064418\">strengthen border management<\/a>, he added.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would also like to emphasize that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations,&#8221; Jaiswal said.<\/p>\n<h3>&#8216;Face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops continuing&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p>This development comes a day after India&#8217;s China border police chief, Shatrujeet Singh Kapur, said on Thursday that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops are continuing at multiple locations along the border in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, despite ongoing talks <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepals-new-pm-inherits-india-china-us-balancing-act\/a-76566455\">between the two countries<\/a>, according to Indian media.<\/p>\n<p>The face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh underscore the challenges of maintaining peace along the border even as the two countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks this year.<\/p>\n<p>The issue was also taken up by the opposition Congress party with Member of Parliament and senior party leader Jairam Ramesh criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and and the government for &#8220;remain silent on this grave issue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The nation is asking: Amid ongoing tensions on the border, what kind of nationalism is this softness toward China and the growing economic dependence?&#8221; Ramesh posted on X.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Tracking the tense relationship between India and China \" class=\"headline\">Tracking the tense relationship between India and China <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-68607579\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"68607579\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/68607107_605.webp\" data-duration=\"15:27\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/jd\/jd20240318_MOIndiaChina_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Oc7m<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-79748110\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098#post-liveblog-post-79748110\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Skip next section Welcome to our coverage!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"t1i8qhb9 lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><span class=\"publication lofg86o blt0baw m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">10\/24\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">October 24, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l l1evdo4u p1y8x1v sngcpkw b16w0xvi\">Welcome to our coverage!<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Hello! This is Shakeel from DW&#8217;s New Delhi Studio bringing you the top updates from across India.<\/p>\n<p>The issue of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-brics-strategy-tested-with-xi-putin-set-to-visit\/a-79231879\">India-China border tensions<\/a> has its made its way back into focus as India on Friday said Chinese forces deviating from established patrolling patterns continue to disrupt the border situation.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, in the eastern state of Bihar, three children were among the five killed when a series of powerful explosions tore through a firecracker workshop at a private house, where the manufacturing was taking place.<\/p>\n<p>For all this and more, follow our liveblog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Oc7q<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"h4zlaoh bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu blt0baw cx4rgdt ih9bob8 disabled sngcpkw w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<ul>\n<li>Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged people to join a &#8220;Save the Vote, Save the Country&#8221; march and rally in New Delhi on November 1<\/li>\n<li>India&#8217;s weather department warned of an incoming severe cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal<\/li>\n<li>Hundreds form human chain in Hyderabad protesting Election Commission&#8217;s SIR<\/li>\n<li>Neha Bora refuses to sign police peace bond<\/li>\n<li>Indian Foreign Ministry blamed Chinese patrolling deviations for border disruptions<\/li>\n<li>Violence in Arunachal over proposed hydropower project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the top headlines <\/em><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">from India<\/a><em> this weekend on Saturday and Sunday,\u00a0October 24-25:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Tired of missing our real-time updates? <\/em><a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=dw.com\" title=\"External link \u2014 Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google\">Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google<\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Here are the top headlines <\/em><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">from India<\/a><em> this weekend on Saturday and Sunday,\u00a0October 24-25:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Tired of missing our real-time updates? <\/em><a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=dw.com\" title=\"External link \u2014 Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google\">Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google<\/a><em>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79648037\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79648037_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Rahul Gandhi joins a protest march against the controversial revision of voter lists in New Delhi, \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Gandhi&#8217;s allegations come amid protests against the Election Commission&#8217;s revision of electoral rolls [FILE: October 12, 2026]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Bhawika Chhabra\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged students, farmers, workers, women, young people and traders to join a &#8220;Save the Vote, Save the Country&#8221; <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">march and rally in New Delhi<\/a> on November 1.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed rally, alleging widespread deletions from electoral rolls and violations of rules, is planned to be held at Delhi&#8217;s Ramlila Maidan.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, the opposition leader alleged votes were being &#8220;stolen&#8221; by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Names have been removed from the voter lists. Rules and laws have been broken,&#8221; Gandhi wrote, adding that people &#8220;will not tolerate this quietly&#8221; anymore.<\/p>\n<p>Various organizations in India, including the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-cjp-leader-abhijeet-dipke-released-after-detention\/a-79690933\">youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)<\/a>, are protesting a sweeping exercise which has so far purged over 130 million names from the country&#8217;s draft electoral rolls.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, a bloc of Indian political parties, staged a protest in Delhi demanding the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-supreme-court-hears-rahul-gandhis-election-commission-plea\/live-79665180\">resignation of India&#8217;s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar<\/a> over alleged misconduct.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Gandhi&#8217;s allegations come amid protests against the Election Commission&#8217;s revision of the voter rolls.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have intensified amid <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-opposition-huddle-over-tea-after-thousands-march-in-their-delhi-protest\/live-79646819\">opposition allegations<\/a> that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could disenfranchise eligible voters and benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#8217;s BJP.<\/p>\n<p>The Election Commission has defended the revision as an exercise to verify and update electoral rolls.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Concern grows over voter verification drive in India\" class=\"headline\">Concern grows over voter verification drive in India<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-73407440\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"73407440\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/73395841_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:50\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20250725_BIHARVOTE09E_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged students, farmers, workers, women, young people and traders to join a &#8220;Save the Vote, Save the Country&#8221; <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">march and rally in New Delhi<\/a> on November 1.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed rally, alleging widespread deletions from electoral rolls and violations of rules, is planned to be held at Delhi&#8217;s Ramlila Maidan.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, the opposition leader alleged votes were being &#8220;stolen&#8221; by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Names have been removed from the voter lists. Rules and laws have been broken,&#8221; Gandhi wrote, adding that people &#8220;will not tolerate this quietly&#8221; anymore.<\/p>\n<p>Various organizations in India, including the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-cjp-leader-abhijeet-dipke-released-after-detention\/a-79690933\">youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)<\/a>, are protesting a sweeping exercise which has so far purged over 130 million names from the country&#8217;s draft electoral rolls.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, a bloc of Indian political parties, staged a protest in Delhi demanding the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-supreme-court-hears-rahul-gandhis-election-commission-plea\/live-79665180\">resignation of India&#8217;s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar<\/a> over alleged misconduct.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Gandhi&#8217;s allegations come amid protests against the Election Commission&#8217;s revision of the voter rolls.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have intensified amid <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-opposition-huddle-over-tea-after-thousands-march-in-their-delhi-protest\/live-79646819\">opposition allegations<\/a> that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could disenfranchise eligible voters and benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#8217;s BJP.<\/p>\n<p>The Election Commission has defended the revision as an exercise to verify and update electoral rolls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Young people from across Tamil Nadu share their views on local politics, the changes they want to see and their hopes for the state&#8217;s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 What does Gen Z want for Tamil Nadu&apos;s future?\" class=\"headline\">What does Gen Z want for Tamil Nadu&#8217;s future?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79742266\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79742266\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79742202_605.webp\" data-duration=\"06:20\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG261023_DWVGENG261020_30TamilVoices-LT_01IMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Young people from across Tamil Nadu share their views on local politics, the changes they want to see and their hopes for the state&#8217;s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah says\u00a0Indian agencies have carried out a major crackdown on an <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/illegal-drug-trade\/t-68091141\">international narcotics cartel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The home minister said 18 people were arrested across 38 locations in the northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23 during a crackdown on an alleged international narcotics cartel.<\/p>\n<p>Shah said Operation Trident\u00a0uncovered hawala transactions worth \u20b9100 crore (around \u20ac9.4 million). Authorities also froze 1,424 bank accounts, seized properties worth \u20b917.82 crore and 500 detonators, and recovered \u20b912 lakh in cash, he said.<\/p>\n<p>According to Shah, the network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through what he described as the &#8220;Death Triangle Corridor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-india-became-a-methamphetamine-and-cocaine-hub\/a-71210919\">drug cartels<\/a>,&#8221; Shah said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah says\u00a0Indian agencies have carried out a major crackdown on an <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/illegal-drug-trade\/t-68091141\">international narcotics cartel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The home minister said 18 people were arrested across 38 locations in the northeastern states of Assam, Mizoram and Manipur on October 23 during a crackdown on an alleged international narcotics cartel.<\/p>\n<p>Shah said Operation Trident\u00a0uncovered hawala transactions worth \u20b9100 crore (around \u20ac9.4 million). Authorities also froze 1,424 bank accounts, seized properties worth \u20b917.82 crore and 500 detonators, and recovered \u20b912 lakh in cash, he said.<\/p>\n<p>According to Shah, the network trafficked narcotics across the borders of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh through what he described as the &#8220;Death Triangle Corridor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;India will hammer until the last nail is driven into the coffin of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-india-became-a-methamphetamine-and-cocaine-hub\/a-71210919\">drug cartels<\/a>,&#8221; Shah said.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79753462\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79753462_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Protesters form human chains over alleged irregularities in voter rolls\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Those gathered also condemned police action against demonstrators, particularly in Delhi<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jwala Kotesh\/NurPhoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hundreds of people formed a human chain in the southern city of Hyderabad on Saturday, reports said, as the controversy over <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">India&#8217;s revision of voter rolls continues<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Various organizations, including India&#8217;s youth-led\u00a0Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a newspaper investigation alleged impropriety during a large-scale voter-roll revision.<\/p>\n<p>The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) saw the deletion of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls nationwide.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79753448\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79753448_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Protesters form human chains while holding placards demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Protesters alleged that SIR of electoral rolls could disenfranchise nearly half of Telangana&#8217;s electorate<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jwala Kotesh\/NurPhoto\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The protesters in the capital of the Telangana state demanded:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the scrapping of the SIR of electoral rolls,<\/li>\n<li>restoration of deleted voters<\/li>\n<li>removal of Kumar and<\/li>\n<li>the repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner Act, 2023, which appointed Kumar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The demonstration was organized by civil society, human rights, farmers, Dalit, youth and student groups where participants alleged that the exercise <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-supreme-court-hears-rahul-gandhis-election-commission-plea\/live-79665180\">could disenfranchise<\/a> nearly half of Telangana&#8217;s electorate, media reports said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We refuse to be silenced by the repressive Modi Government which stands exposed,&#8221; one protester told the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>Those gathered also <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-cjp-leader-abhijeet-dipke-released-after-detention\/a-79690933\">condemned police action against demonstrators<\/a>, particularly in Delhi, and asserted that peaceful protest was a constitutional right, according to reports.<\/p>\n<p>The SIR is underway in Telangana, with the final electoral rolls scheduled for publication on November 9.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 India: Protesters jailed amid election row\" class=\"headline\">India: Protesters jailed amid election row<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79667589\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79667589\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79656298_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:02\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG261015_IndiaNew_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hundreds of people formed a human chain in the southern city of Hyderabad on Saturday, reports said, as the controversy over <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">India&#8217;s revision of voter rolls continues<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Various organizations, including India&#8217;s youth-led\u00a0Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a newspaper investigation alleged impropriety during a large-scale voter-roll revision.<\/p>\n<p>The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) saw the deletion of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>The protesters in the capital of the Telangana state demanded:<\/p>\n<p>The demonstration was organized by civil society, human rights, farmers, Dalit, youth and student groups where participants alleged that the exercise <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-supreme-court-hears-rahul-gandhis-election-commission-plea\/live-79665180\">could disenfranchise<\/a> nearly half of Telangana&#8217;s electorate, media reports said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We refuse to be silenced by the repressive Modi Government which stands exposed,&#8221; one protester told the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>Those gathered also <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-cjp-leader-abhijeet-dipke-released-after-detention\/a-79690933\">condemned police action against demonstrators<\/a>, particularly in Delhi, and asserted that peaceful protest was a constitutional right, according to reports.<\/p>\n<p>The SIR is underway in Telangana, with the final electoral rolls scheduled for publication on November 9.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"74532926\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/74532926_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A commuter rides during rainfall ahead of the severe cyclone Montha landfall in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Last year, Cyclone Montha made landfall along India&#8217;s eastern coast bringing torrential rain and strong winds as authorities evacuated tens of thousands of residents [FILE: October 28, 2025]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jwala Kotesh\/NurPhoto\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Parts of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were on alert on Sunday as India&#8217;s weather department warned of an <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/extreme-weather\/t-19020379\">incoming severe cyclonic storm<\/a> over Bay of Bengal.<\/p>\n<p>According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.<\/p>\n<p>IMD said the &#8220;maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 km\/h gusting to 140 km\/h by forenoon&#8221; is expected by October 28, when the storm is likely to make landfall.<\/p>\n<p>Schools and colleges in five southern Odisha districts bordering Andhra Pradesh will stay closed on October 28 and 29, the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper reported,<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-heavy-monsoon-season-claims-more-than-100-lives\/live-78240054\">as authorities took stock of the situation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-tribal-politician-draupadi-murmu-wins-presidential-vote\/a-62559372\">President Droupadi Murmu&#8217;s<\/a> scheduled two-day visit to Odisha on October 28-29 has also\u00a0been postponed to early November due to the impending cyclone, according to the paper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Parts of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were on alert on Sunday as India&#8217;s weather department warned of an <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/extreme-weather\/t-19020379\">incoming severe cyclonic storm<\/a> over Bay of Bengal.<\/p>\n<p>According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam.<\/p>\n<p>IMD said the &#8220;maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 km\/h gusting to 140 km\/h by forenoon&#8221; is expected by October 28, when the storm is likely to make landfall.<\/p>\n<p>Schools and colleges in five southern Odisha districts bordering Andhra Pradesh will stay closed on October 28 and 29, the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper reported,<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-heavy-monsoon-season-claims-more-than-100-lives\/live-78240054\">as authorities took stock of the situation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-tribal-politician-draupadi-murmu-wins-presidential-vote\/a-62559372\">President Droupadi Murmu&#8217;s<\/a> scheduled two-day visit to Odisha on October 28-29 has also\u00a0been postponed to early November due to the impending cyclone, according to the paper.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Hello! This is Shakeel from DW&#8217;s New Delhi Studio bring you the top updates from across India this bright and sunny morning in Delhi.<\/p>\n<p>Schools and colleges have been shut and a presidential visit deferred over\u00a0a <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/extreme-weather\/t-19020379\">brewing cyclone<\/a>\u00a0in the Bay of Bengal. Weather officials predict\u00a0very heavy rainfall forecast in several districts of the southern Andhra Pradesh state.<\/p>\n<p>In Hyderabad, hundreds of people formed a human chain\u00a0on Saturday demanding the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls as the controversy over the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-opposition-parties-march-to-supreme-court\/live-79638649\">electoral reforms by the Election Commission of India<\/a> refuses to die.<\/p>\n<p>For all this and more, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">follow our liveblog<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hello! This is Shakeel from DW&#8217;s New Delhi Studio bring you the top updates from across India this bright and sunny morning in Delhi.<\/p>\n<p>Schools and colleges have been shut and a presidential visit deferred over\u00a0a <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/extreme-weather\/t-19020379\">brewing cyclone<\/a>\u00a0in the Bay of Bengal. Weather officials predict\u00a0very heavy rainfall forecast in several districts of the southern Andhra Pradesh state.<\/p>\n<p>In Hyderabad, hundreds of people formed a human chain\u00a0on Saturday demanding the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls as the controversy over the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-opposition-parties-march-to-supreme-court\/live-79638649\">electoral reforms by the Election Commission of India<\/a> refuses to die.<\/p>\n<p>For all this and more, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-protesters-march-to-election-commission-demanding-cec-gyanesh-kumars-resignation\/live-79738437\">follow our liveblog<\/a>!<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Thank you for reading our blog about news events in India.\u00a0We&#8217;ll be back with the latest headlines out of the country once again on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Thank you for reading our blog about news events in India.\u00a0We&#8217;ll be back with the latest headlines out of the country once again on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Jamia Millia Islamia University\u00a0in Delhi has moved all classes online with immediate effect after student protesters demanding the restoration of campus union elections clashed with security guards on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The university said the decision was taken to ensure students\u2019 safety. The administration also directed faculty members to provide academic support and learning materials for online classes until further notice.<\/p>\n<p>Protests began on October 12, with students demanding the reinstatement of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students\u2019 Union, which was disbanded in 2006 following campus violence and academic disruptions.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions escalated on Saturday when security guards reportedly attempted\u00a0to remove tents set up by protesters. Videos circulating online appeared to show students and guards scuffling.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have also sparked controversy over posters and slogans calling for the release of jailed activist Sharjeel Imam, who faces charges linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"75399069\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75399069_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Family members and JNU students join a freedom march on September 13, 2025 after the Delhi High Court rejected bail pleas in the 2020 riots case.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Sharjeel Imam is a former JNU student who has been jailed since 2020 in  conspiracy charges linked to the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, which he denies. (File photo)<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Sanjeev Verma\/Hindustan Times\/Sipa USA\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jamia Millia Islamia University\u00a0in Delhi has moved all classes online with immediate effect after student protesters demanding the restoration of campus union elections clashed with security guards on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The university said the decision was taken to ensure students\u2019 safety. The administration also directed faculty members to provide academic support and learning materials for online classes until further notice.<\/p>\n<p>Protests began on October 12, with students demanding the reinstatement of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students\u2019 Union, which was disbanded in 2006 following campus violence and academic disruptions.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions escalated on Saturday when security guards reportedly attempted\u00a0to remove tents set up by protesters. Videos circulating online appeared to show students and guards scuffling.<\/p>\n<p>The protests have also sparked controversy over posters and slogans calling for the release of jailed activist Sharjeel Imam, who faces charges linked to the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79749886\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79749886_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Neha Bora shout slogans from a police bus after being detained\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Bora said AISA had not called the Central Park protest cited in the notice as grounds for the bond [FILE: October 16, 2026]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Adnan Abidi\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Student leader <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/who-are-the-women-powering-indias-youth-led-cockroach-protests\/a-79709824\">Neha Bora<\/a> said on Saturday they would not sign a peace bond, alleging that the evidence cited by police was factually incorrect.<\/p>\n<p>The All India Students&#8217; Association (AISA) leader, who uses they\/them pronouns, made the statement\u00a0a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed their plea challenging a police notice directing them to execute a Rs 10,000 (\u20ac94.39) personal bond with surety to maintain peace.<\/p>\n<p>AISA and India&#8217;s youth-led \u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-cockroach-movement\/t-78052064\">Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)<\/a>, along with other organizations, are demanding\u00a0the resignation of controversy-hit Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a newspaper investigation alleged impropriety during a large-scale voter-roll revision, which saw the deletion of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our concern is that people may be deprived of one of their most fundamental democratic rights: the right to vote,&#8221; Bora wrote in an oped in the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Bora said AISA had not called the Central Park protest cited in the notice as grounds for the bond. They also questioned whether peaceful demonstrations against alleged voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise could be considered a breach of peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is essential that peaceful protests and democratic demonstrations on the streets are not declared a breach of peace,&#8221; they said, adding that they would challenge the interpretation and enforcement of such bonds in court.<\/p>\n<p>Bora said neither they nor AISA would sign the bond, arguing that it violated the fundamental right to democratic dissent.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 India: Protesters jailed amid election row\" class=\"headline\">India: Protesters jailed amid election row<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79667589\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79667589\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79656298_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:02\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG261015_IndiaNew_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Student leader <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/who-are-the-women-powering-indias-youth-led-cockroach-protests\/a-79709824\">Neha Bora<\/a> said on Saturday they would not sign a peace bond, alleging that the evidence cited by police was factually incorrect.<\/p>\n<p>The All India Students&#8217; Association (AISA) leader, who uses they\/them pronouns, made the statement\u00a0a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed their plea challenging a police notice directing them to execute a Rs 10,000 (\u20ac94.39) personal bond with surety to maintain peace.<\/p>\n<p>AISA and India&#8217;s youth-led \u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-cockroach-movement\/t-78052064\">Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)<\/a>, along with other organizations, are demanding\u00a0the resignation of controversy-hit Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after a newspaper investigation alleged impropriety during a large-scale voter-roll revision, which saw the deletion of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our concern is that people may be deprived of one of their most fundamental democratic rights: the right to vote,&#8221; Bora wrote in an oped in the <em>Indian Express<\/em> newspaper on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Bora said AISA had not called the Central Park protest cited in the notice as grounds for the bond. They also questioned whether peaceful demonstrations against alleged voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise could be considered a breach of peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is essential that peaceful protests and democratic demonstrations on the streets are not declared a breach of peace,&#8221; they said, adding that they would challenge the interpretation and enforcement of such bonds in court.<\/p>\n<p>Bora said neither they nor AISA would sign the bond, arguing that it violated the fundamental right to democratic dissent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Five people were killed on Saturday when explosive material misfired during road-widening work in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, the <em>Hindustan Times<\/em> reported citing the police.<\/p>\n<p>The blast occurred in Pinakota village in Alluri Sitharama Raju district during rock blasting for road expansion.<\/p>\n<p>The explosion also destroyed two vehicles, the report said.<\/p>\n<p>State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed condolences to the victims&#8217; families and directed officials to ensure medical treatment for the injured and provide assistance to those affected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Five people were killed on Saturday when explosive material misfired during road-widening work in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, the <em>Hindustan Times<\/em> reported citing the police.<\/p>\n<p>The blast occurred in Pinakota village in Alluri Sitharama Raju district during rock blasting for road expansion.<\/p>\n<p>The explosion also destroyed two vehicles, the report said.<\/p>\n<p>State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed condolences to the victims&#8217; families and directed officials to ensure medical treatment for the injured and provide assistance to those affected.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>A police station was reportedly burnt down and seven police vehicles torched on Friday by angry protesters opposing a proposed <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/energiewende-transition-to-renewable-power-sources\/t-17351905\">hydropower<\/a> project in Pasighat in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, the <em>Arunachal Times<\/em> newspaper said.<\/p>\n<p>The violence broke out in Pasighat after police fired tear gas at youths protesting the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), according to local media.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters also allegedly set fire to a National <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/renewable-energy\/t-19008095\">Hydroelectric<\/a> Power Corporation (NHPC) office, while a journalist was injured in the unrest, reports said.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters are demanding the release of detained activists, the withdrawal of security forces from the Siang region and an immediate halt to survey work on the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hydropower\/t-19044836\">hydropower project.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Authorities have deployed additional security personnel in the region as tensions remained high.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A police station was reportedly burnt down and seven police vehicles torched on Friday by angry protesters opposing a proposed <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/energiewende-transition-to-renewable-power-sources\/t-17351905\">hydropower<\/a> project in Pasighat in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, the <em>Arunachal Times<\/em> newspaper said.<\/p>\n<p>The violence broke out in Pasighat after police fired tear gas at youths protesting the proposed 11,000-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), according to local media.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters also allegedly set fire to a National <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/renewable-energy\/t-19008095\">Hydroelectric<\/a> Power Corporation (NHPC) office, while a journalist was injured in the unrest, reports said.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters are demanding the release of detained activists, the withdrawal of security forces from the Siang region and an immediate halt to survey work on the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hydropower\/t-19044836\">hydropower project.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Authorities have deployed additional security personnel in the region as tensions remained high.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"79748468\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79748468_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"People ride past a Jio advertisement board in Mumbai\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Jio Platforms IPO attracted a record more than 13.8 million applications [FILE: October 21, 2026]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Francis Mascarenhas\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bids for Jio Platforms&#8217; initial public offering (IPO) topped $77 billion (\u20ac68.74 billion) on Friday, making it India&#8217;s most subscribed share offering. Demand exceeded 22 times the shares on offer.<\/p>\n<p>The IPO of the\u00a0telecoms and digital unit of Reliance Industries, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, attracted more than 13.8 million applications\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a record for India.<\/p>\n<p>The offering values Jio Platforms at up to $108.3 billion.<\/p>\n<p><span>Led by <\/span><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/asias-richest-man-mukesh-ambani-takes-on-amazon-with-new-online-retail-marketplace\/a-51865528\">Ambani&#8217;s<\/a><span> son Akash, the company operates a mobile network serving more than 500 million users and counts Meta and Google among its investors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The shares are expected to list on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The IPO comes just days after\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/elon-musk\/t-63587027\">Elon Musk<\/a>\u00a0criticized regulatory delays facing Starlink in India, accusing Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani of keeping <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/starlink\/t-79668524\">Starlink<\/a> out of the India market.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Elon Musk vs. Mukesh Ambani: Battle for India\u2019s telecom market\" class=\"headline\">Elon Musk vs. Mukesh Ambani: Battle for India\u2019s telecom market<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-79678020\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"79678020\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79676630_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:28\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/BUSI\/BUSIENG260601_QWIStarlinkCMS_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bids for Jio Platforms&#8217; initial public offering (IPO) topped $77 billion (\u20ac68.74 billion) on Friday, making it India&#8217;s most subscribed share offering. Demand exceeded 22 times the shares on offer.<\/p>\n<p>The IPO of the\u00a0telecoms and digital unit of Reliance Industries, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, attracted more than 13.8 million applications\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a record for India.<\/p>\n<p>The offering values Jio Platforms at up to $108.3 billion.<\/p>\n<p><span>Led by <\/span><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/asias-richest-man-mukesh-ambani-takes-on-amazon-with-new-online-retail-marketplace\/a-51865528\">Ambani&#8217;s<\/a><span> son Akash, the company operates a mobile network serving more than 500 million users and counts Meta and Google among its investors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The shares are expected to list on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The IPO comes just days after\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/elon-musk\/t-63587027\">Elon Musk<\/a>\u00a0criticized regulatory delays facing Starlink in India, accusing Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani of keeping <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/starlink\/t-79668524\">Starlink<\/a> out of the India market.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Three children were among the five killed on Friday when a series of explosions ripped through a firecracker workshop operating from a private home in the eastern state of Bihar, police said.<\/p>\n<p>According to the police residents fear more people may be buried under the rubble.<\/p>\n<p>The workshop&#8217;s owner and four relatives were among those killed in the incident in Siwan district.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>Hindustan Times<\/em> newspaper, a witness said that body parts of some of those killed in the blast were &#8220;strewn all over.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-35-killed-in-telangana-pharmaceutical-factory-blast\/a-73094602\">Industrial accidents<\/a>, especially in firework factories, are common <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">in India,<\/a> where safety standards are often poorly enforced.<\/p>\n<p>In recent past:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In August, 11 people, including eight children, were killed by an explosion in a firecracker workshop operating from a residential area in northern Uttar Pradesh state<\/li>\n<li>In March, a fire at a fireworks factory in Maharashtra state India killed 17 people and injured 18 people<\/li>\n<li>In April, eight people were killed and 15 injured when a firecracker warehouse in Kerala in south India caught fire<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Three children were among the five killed on Friday when a series of explosions ripped through a firecracker workshop operating from a private home in the eastern state of Bihar, police said.<\/p>\n<p>According to the police residents fear more people may be buried under the rubble.<\/p>\n<p>The workshop&#8217;s owner and four relatives were among those killed in the incident in Siwan district.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>Hindustan Times<\/em> newspaper, a witness said that body parts of some of those killed in the blast were &#8220;strewn all over.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-35-killed-in-telangana-pharmaceutical-factory-blast\/a-73094602\">Industrial accidents<\/a>, especially in firework factories, are common <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">in India,<\/a> where safety standards are often poorly enforced.<\/p>\n<p>In recent past:<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"63949339\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/63949339_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A helicopter carrying Indian army soldiers takes off during Indo-US joint exercise in Auli, Uttarakhand\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">India&#8217;s China border police chief has said that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops are continuing at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh [FILE: November 29, 2022]<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Manish Swarup\/AP\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>India&#8217;s Foreign Ministry said on Friday the situation along the India-China border was periodically disrupted when <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/china\/t-18480887\">Chinese<\/a> forces deviated from established patrolling patterns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both sides continue to use <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-brics-strategy-tested-with-xi-putin-set-to-visit\/a-79231879\">existing diplomatic<\/a> and military mechanisms to resolve outstanding issues and avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC),&#8221; the ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the media.<\/p>\n<p>The two countries have also agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in certain areas to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-india-uses-remote-island-to-show-strength-against-china\/a-77064418\">strengthen border management<\/a>, he added.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would also like to emphasize that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations,&#8221; Jaiswal said.<\/p>\n<h3>&#8216;Face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops continuing&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p>This development comes a day after India&#8217;s China border police chief, Shatrujeet Singh Kapur, said on Thursday that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops are continuing at multiple locations along the border in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, despite ongoing talks <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepals-new-pm-inherits-india-china-us-balancing-act\/a-76566455\">between the two countries<\/a>, according to Indian media.<\/p>\n<p>The face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh underscore the challenges of maintaining peace along the border even as the two countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks this year.<\/p>\n<p>The issue was also taken up by the opposition Congress party with Member of Parliament and senior party leader Jairam Ramesh criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and and the government for &#8220;remain silent on this grave issue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The nation is asking: Amid ongoing tensions on the border, what kind of nationalism is this softness toward China and the growing economic dependence?&#8221; Ramesh posted on X.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Tracking the tense relationship between India and China \" class=\"headline\">Tracking the tense relationship between India and China <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-68607579\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"68607579\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/68607107_605.webp\" data-duration=\"15:27\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/jd\/jd20240318_MOIndiaChina_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>India&#8217;s Foreign Ministry said on Friday the situation along the India-China border was periodically disrupted when <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/china\/t-18480887\">Chinese<\/a> forces deviated from established patrolling patterns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both sides continue to use <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-brics-strategy-tested-with-xi-putin-set-to-visit\/a-79231879\">existing diplomatic<\/a> and military mechanisms to resolve outstanding issues and avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC),&#8221; the ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing the media.<\/p>\n<p>The two countries have also agreed to discuss ways to improve their understanding of the LAC in certain areas to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-india-uses-remote-island-to-show-strength-against-china\/a-77064418\">strengthen border management<\/a>, he added.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would also like to emphasize that maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas is essential for the overall development of bilateral relations,&#8221; Jaiswal said.<\/p>\n<p>This development comes a day after India&#8217;s China border police chief, Shatrujeet Singh Kapur, said on Thursday that face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops are continuing at multiple locations along the border in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, despite ongoing talks <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepals-new-pm-inherits-india-china-us-balancing-act\/a-76566455\">between the two countries<\/a>, according to Indian media.<\/p>\n<p>The face-offs in Arunachal Pradesh underscore the challenges of maintaining peace along the border even as the two countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks this year.<\/p>\n<p>The issue was also taken up by the opposition Congress party with Member of Parliament and senior party leader Jairam Ramesh criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and and the government for &#8220;remain silent on this grave issue.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The nation is asking: Amid ongoing tensions on the border, what kind of nationalism is this softness toward China and the growing economic dependence?&#8221; Ramesh posted on X.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text t1fzgn0z l1evdo4u blt0baw rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b16w0xvi\">\n<p>Hello! This is Shakeel from DW&#8217;s New Delhi Studio bringing you the top updates from across India.<\/p>\n<p>The issue of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-brics-strategy-tested-with-xi-putin-set-to-visit\/a-79231879\">India-China border tensions<\/a> has its made its way back into focus as India on Friday said Chinese forces deviating from established patrolling patterns continue to disrupt the border situation.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, in the eastern state of Bihar, three children were among the five killed when a series of powerful explosions tore through a firecracker workshop at a private house, where the manufacturing was taking place.<\/p>\n<p>For all this and more, follow our liveblog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hello! This is Shakeel from DW&#8217;s New Delhi Studio bringing you the top updates from across India.<\/p>\n<p>The issue of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/indias-brics-strategy-tested-with-xi-putin-set-to-visit\/a-79231879\">India-China border tensions<\/a> has its made its way back into focus as India on Friday said Chinese forces deviating from established patrolling patterns continue to disrupt the border situation.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, in the eastern state of Bihar, three children were among the five killed when a series of powerful explosions tore through a firecracker workshop at a private house, where the manufacturing was taking place.<\/p>\n<p>For all this and more, follow our liveblog.<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-rahul-gandhi-urges-protest-against-voter-deletions-announces-november-1-rally\/live-79748098&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/79568976_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Oc7e Rahul Gandhi&#8217;s call comes after a newspaper investigation found Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar allegedly took unilateral decisions that resulted in a mass deletion of voters [FILE: October 6, 2026]Image: AP Photo\/picture alliance Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-2218530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2218530"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2218530\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2218530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2218530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2218530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}