Delhi Turns Gas Chamber: NCR Chokes on Toxic Smog, AQI in 'Severe' Zone

This special report covers the deadly stampede at the Venkateshwara temple in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, where nine devotees lost their lives. The tragedy has ignited a political firestorm, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordering a probe while his son, Minister Nara Lokesh, visited the site and announced compensation. The YSRCP has sharply criticised the ruling TDP government, with one leader stating, 'These are not accidents — they are state-sponsored deaths caused by indifference and incompetence.' . The incident occurred at a private temple that lacked police permission and proper crowd control for the Ekadashi festival, leading to a fatal collapse of a railing. . Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and announced ex-gratia for the victims' families. . The report examines the administrative failures and the ensuing political blame game.

The focus is on the escalating political clash in Tamil Nadu, with Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin accusing the BJP of a conspiracy ahead of elections. Stalin alleges that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is a deliberate attempt to remove anti-BJP voters. 'We think it's done on purpose intentionally to somehow capture the power of Tamilnadu,' stated Udayanidhi Stalin, citing alleged voter fraud during a similar exercise in Bihar as a precedent. This controversy has prompted Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to convene an all-party meeting to strategize a collective opposition to the move, which the DMK describes as a threat to democracy.

The political battle in Tamil Nadu intensifies as Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin targets TVK Chief and actor Vijay over the tragic Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives. Blaming Vijay for the deaths, Udhayanidhi Stalin stated, 'everyone is responsible for what happened in Karur, but somebody is the most responsible.' This direct attack comes as the incident is under a CBI investigation, a move the DMK claims is a BJP tactic to control Vijay. The DMK has consistently held Vijay and his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), accountable for the tragedy, which occurred during a political rally hosted by the actor. The incident has heightened political tensions, with accusations flying between the ruling DMK and the newly formed TVK.

This special report focuses on the escalating war of words between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Congress party over calls for its ban. Following demands from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders like Priyank Kharge to outlaw the organisation, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has issued a sharp rebuttal. ‘Such attempts were made three times in the past. What did society say then? What did the court say? Despite all this, the Sangh's work kept growing,’ Hosabale stated, dismissing the demand. The controversy reignited after Mallikarjun Kharge cited Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1948 decision to ban the RSS and argued the organisation is responsible for law and order problems. Hosabale countered that any ban requires a valid reason and that those demanding it should learn from previous failed attempts, noting the RSS has been banned and unbanned three times in its history.