Top News of the Day: Sheeshmahal 2.0, PM Modi slams Congress for removing parts of ‘Vande Matram’
1. Modi Government to Issue ₹150 Commemorative Coin for Arya Samaj’s 150th Anniversary, Will Feature Gayatri Mantra
In a historic move, the Narendra Modi government will release a ₹150 commemorative coin to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 in Bombay. The coin will feature the sacred Gayatri Mantra in Devanagari script, likely the first time it appears on Indian currency. This initiative follows the special coin issued earlier this year marking 100 years of the RSS, which depicted ‘Bharat Mata’. The obverse side of the new coin will display the Lion Capitol of Ashoka with ‘Satyamev Jayate’, while the reverse will bear the Arya Samaj 150-year logo, the years 1875 and 2025, and inscriptions in both Hindi and English.
2. Kannauj, UP: Mohammad Imran, Coerced Hindu Minor Girl into Religious Conversion, Injured in Encounter; Police Suspect Multiple Victims
In Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj district, Mohammad Imran (25), accused of trapping Hindu minor girls for religious conversion, was injured in a police encounter on October 26. During an exchange of fire with Talgram Police and the Special Operations Group (SOG), Imran was shot in the right leg and later taken to Tirwa Medical College for treatment. Police recovered a country-made pistol, one empty cartridge, and two live rounds from him.
According to the complainant, Imran abducted a 16-year-old Hindu girl, forced her to wear a burqa, and posted her photos online claiming with the caption “Happy Marriage Anniversary” implying sham of a marriage. Investigations indicate his involvement in targeting other Hindu girls through fake social media profiles. He faces charges under the POCSO, BNS and IT Acts.
3. Lucknow: Police Outpost In-charge Arrested Red-Handed Taking ₹2 Lakh Bribe; Deal Made to Remove Name from Gangrape Case
The Anti-Corruption team has arrested Sub-Inspector Dhananjay Singh, in-charge of the Papermill Police Outpost in Lucknow, red-handed while taking a ₹2 lakh bribe in exchange for removing a name from a gangrape case. The victim, Prateek Gupta, had earlier complained that the outpost in-charge had demanded ₹5 lakh, after which the deal was settled for ₹2 lakh. Prateek went to the outpost wearing a spy camera hidden in his shirt and handed over the bribe, which was fully recorded on camera. As soon as SI Dhananjay Singh placed the money inside a file, the Anti-Corruption team stationed outside raided the spot and arrested him. The incident has created a stir in the police department, and a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act before sending him to jail.
4. Jabalpur: Friday Holiday Announced for Jumma Prayers at Anjuman Islamia English Medium School; BJP Minority Morcha Calls It a “Tughlaqi Order”
Anjuman Islamia English Medium School in Jabalpur has announced a new rule for the upcoming 2025–26 academic session, declaring Friday as a holiday and reopening the school on Sunday. The school management explained that due to Jumma prayers, student attendance on Fridays remains very low, which affects studies. However, the BJP Minority Morcha strongly opposed the decision, calling it a “Tughlaqi order” and demanded action from the District Collector. They said the decision is being imposed on students and parents. Taking note of the issue, the District Education Officer (DEO) stated that the decision violates regulations since all schools in the state have holidays only on Sundays. The DEO has said that an inquiry will be conducted with the school management.
5. Mumbai: Hindu Doctor Stabbed Over Relationship With Muslim Woman Staffer; Fareed, Nabil, and Alishan Arrested
A shocking case of Islamists attacking a Hindu Doctor allegedly for having an interfaith relationship with a Muslim female staffer has come to light from Mumbai. Dr. Vishal Harindra Yadav (26) was brutally attacked by Fareed Khan, brother of Munja (Munazza) Khan who is Dr. Yadav’s colleague at the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital. The incident occurred near Hanuman Mandir at Parel on October 29 and was partially caught on CCTV.
According to an FIR filed at Bhoiwada Police Station, Dr. Yadav was confronted by Fareed Khan (20) and his friends, Nabil Shaikh and Alishan Hashmi, who lured him outside the hospital under the pretext of resolving issues. When the doctor refused to go with them, they assaulted him, and Fareed stabbed him multiple times. Passersby rushed Yadav to the hospital, where he was treated and is now recovering.
All three face attempt-to-murder charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Authorities are now investigating potential family involvement.
6. “He Was 14, Not An Adult Offender”: Allahabad HC Upholds Supremacy of Juvenile Justice Act, Orders Release of Minor in Murder Case
The Allahabad High Court has upheld the supremacy of the Juvenile Justice Act while ordering the immediate release of an offender who spent eight years in jail for a murder he committed at the age of 14. The High Court held that the provisions of the JJ Act overrides all other laws in cases involving children in conflict with law.
The court ruled that his detention violated the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which protects minors from being tried as adults. A division bench of Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Sandeep Jain found that Kumar’s school records confirmed his birth date as December 13, 2002, making him a juvenile at the time of the 2017 crime. Criticizing the trial court’s procedural errors, the bench declared his custody unlawful and directed his release, emphasizing that juveniles must be kept in safe homes, not jails.
7. RSS Volunteers Lead Relief Efforts in Warangal as Cyclone Montha Triggers Floods Across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Heavy rains caused by Cyclone Montha on October 29 led to severe flooding across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, disrupting daily life and transport. The cyclone, following the Bay of Bengal’s late-October pattern, brought continuous downpours, overflowing drains, and waterlogged streets. Warangal, Hanumakonda, Karimnagar, and several districts were among the worst affected. In Warangal’s S.R. Nagar, RSS volunteers carried out rescue operations, evacuating stranded families, elderly people, and children with the help of local authorities. Temporary shelters and food distribution were organized for flood-hit residents, with over 250 food packets provided in Hanumakonda. Locals praised the volunteers’ disciplined service, which reflected the organization’s community spirit. Authorities are now assessing the overall damage in both states.
8. “Help me become a mother, and earn ₹25 lakh”: Pune man loses ₹11 lakh in a strange ‘pregnancy job’ scam
In one of the strangest cyber frauds, a 44-year-old Pune contractor, Pandurang Gopal Chavan, was duped of ₹11 lakh by online scammers. He was promised ₹25 lakh for “impregnating a woman”. The fraud began in early September after Chavan saw a viral Facebook post from a fake profile named “Joyoti Sharma,” linked to a bogus website called Pregnant Job. The scammers, posing as company representatives, asked him to pay small “registration” and “processing” fees, which continued until he transferred ₹11 lakh through over 100 UPI transactions. When he realized he was cheated, he reported the matter to Baner Police on October 28. Police have registered a case under cybercrime laws and are tracing the fraudsters’ bank accounts and digital IDs.
9. Baghpat: Forced Religious Conversion, Woman Held Hostage and Raped in Hotel; FIR Filed Against Altaf and 12 Others
In Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat, a married Hindu woman was allegedly forced by Altaf and his associate Raja to convert her religion and marry Altaf. In her complaint to the BJP district president, the victim said that she was held hostage and raped in a hotel in Ghaziabad. She also alleged that obscene videos of her were recorded to threaten her, and her “honor was auctioned.” The woman has filed an FIR against Altaf and 12 others but accused some local leaders of trying to suppress the case and pressuring her to change her statement in court. The victim has demanded justice and strict action against the accused.
10. India’s UPI Payments Soar to ₹143 Lakh Crore in First Half of 2025, Up 35%
India’s home-grown digital payments system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has continued to accelerate its role in the country’s financial transformation. In the first half of 2025, UPI recorded a total transaction value of approximately ₹143.34 lakh crore, with the number of transactions reaching about 106.36 billion marking a robust year-on-year growth of 35 %.
The average transaction size fell from ₹1,478 in H1 2024 to ₹1,348 in H1 2025, reflecting deeper penetration into everyday payments for items such as tea, groceries and kirana-store purchases. Much of the growth is driven by person-to-merchant (P2M) payments via small shops, which climbed 37 % to 67.01 billion transactions in this period.
11. Gwalior: Sahil Khan Arrested for Raping and Kidnapping a Hindu Girl After Trapping Her in a Love Affair
In Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior, a Hindu girl has accused her neighbour, Sahil Khan, of trapping her in a love affair, then raping and kidnapping her. Acting quickly on the family’s complaint, the Gwalior Police rescued the victim safely from Jaipur and arrested Sahil Khan, who has now been sent to jail. In her complaint, the victim stated that Sahil lured her with a false promise of marriage, raped her on the terrace, and later abducted her to Jaipur, where he kept her confined for two days and repeatedly assaulted her.
12. AAP MP Swati Maliwal Flags Misuse of Punjab State Machinery In Service of Arvind Kejriwal; Alleges Sheeshmahal 2.0 In Punjab
AAP MP and former Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal has accused Party Supremo Arvind Kejriwal of residing in a lavish “7-star” government mansion spread over two acres in Chandigarh’s Sector 2. According to Maliwal, this luxurious property, dubbed “Sheeshmahal 2,” has been allotted to Kejriwal under the Punjab Chief Minister’s quota. She further alleged that Kejriwal used official government transportation including helicopters and private jets for travel, flagging it as a misuse of state machinery for Kejriwal’s personal luxury.
Maliwal’s accusation comes amid ongoing controversies over Kejriwal’s previous residence, known as “Sheeshmahal,” which faced allegations of extravagant renovations funded by taxpayer money. It is pertinent to note that AAP had thrown Maliwal under the bus after she lodged a complaint against Bibhav Kumar, Kejriwal’s close aide for assaulting her allegedly at the behest of party supremo.
13. IIT Madras’ Major Breakthrough: Indigenous Technology Enables Aircraft and Drones to Take Off and Land Vertically Like Helicopters
Researchers at IIT Madras have achieved a major milestone in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technology using indigenous innovation. This breakthrough allows aircraft and drones to take off and land vertically like helicopters, making air services possible in remote and border areas. In this experiment, a hybrid rocket thruster was integrated with virtual simulation to ensure smooth and safe landings. The team has also developed a special hybrid rocket fuel. This achievement will make India self-reliant in next-generation aerial systems and could become a game-changer for military operations, disaster relief, and space missions like Chandrayaan. The research has been published in the International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
14. India’s Wedding Season to Witness Record ₹6.5 Lakh Crore Business with 46 Lakh Marriages: CAIT
According to a report by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), India’s upcoming wedding season, scheduled between November 1 and December 4, 2025, is expected to generate a record business of ₹6.5 lakh crore nearly 10% higher than last year. CAIT General Secretary Praveen Khandelwal said around 46 lakh weddings are expected across the country during this period. As per media reports, Delhi alone is likely to witness trade worth ₹1.8 lakh crore. CAIT added that India’s wedding economy continues to strengthen domestic trade while supporting the ‘Vocal for Local’ vision.
15. US Senate Votes 51-47 Against Trump’s Global Tariffs in Rare Show of Bipartisan Opposition
The US Senate voted 51-47 against President Donald Trump’s global tariffs imposed earlier this year under a national emergency declaration. Four Republican senators joined Democrats in this symbolic rejection of the tariffs on over 100 countries, including Canada and Brazil. The tariffs, originally justified by trade deficit concerns, faced criticism for raising consumer costs and disrupting integrated economies. This marks the third Senate vote this week rebuking Trump’s trade policy, although the resolution faces a dead end in the Republican party-controlled House. The Supreme Court will soon hear challenges on the legality of the tariffs. The move highlights bipartisan frustration with the administration’s trade approach.
16. Maharashtra Schools to Sing Full Vande Mataram and Hold Exhibitions for 150th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
On the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, the Maharashtra School Education and Sports Department has directed all schools to sing the complete Vande Mataram and organize exhibitions on its history from October 31 to November 7, 2025. The order, issued on October 27, follows a letter from Smt. Radha Bhide of the Rajmata Jijabai Trust, highlighting that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s patriotic song Vande Mataram also completes 150 years this year. So far, only the first two stanzas are sung in schools. The department has instructed education authorities to ensure all schools across mediums and managements follow the directive and celebrate the event with patriotic spirit and awareness activities.
17. Epstein Files Ignite Fresh Political Turmoil as King Charles Strips Prince Andrew; Trump Under New Scrutiny for File Declassification
In an unprecedented development, King Charles has stripped his brother Prince Andrew of all royal titles, honours, and privileges and ordered him to vacate his Windsor residence amid mounting evidence linking Andrew to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal. This formal move follows growing public and political pressure in the UK, reviving global focus on Epstein’s extensive network of powerful associates. The decision comes despite Andrew’s repeated denials and marks a significant intensification in the Epstein fallout.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Epstein Files continue to stir heated controversy with President Donald Trump facing increased criticism for his refusal to fully declassify Epstein investigation files. Trump’s past social ties to Epstein and his presence on the now-infamous Epstein island remain under scrutiny amid surging protests and political debates.
For those unversed, Jeffrey Epstein ran a large sex trafficking network on an Island, now infamous as Epstein Island. The names in the Epstein Files include the names of several prominent politicians, Hollywood celebs who visited the Island and partake in Jeffrey Epstein’s illegalities and sex trafficking network.
18. PM Modi Launches Commemorative Coin, Stamp and Administers Unity Pledge on Sardar Patel’s 150th Birth Anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nationwide celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar on October 31. Observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), the occasion honours India’s first Home Minister for uniting over 550 princely states after Independence.
PM Modi unveiled a ₹150 commemorative coin and a special postal stamp to mark the milestone. He also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several development projects worth over ₹1,140 crore and flagged off a fleet of electric buses. The Prime Minister paid floral tribute to Sardar Patel, administered the Ekta Diwas Pledge, and reviewed the grand unity parade featuring BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB contingents.
The parade showcased India’s diversity through tableaux from ten states and a cultural show by 900 artists. In his address, PM Modi urged citizens to uphold Sardar Patel’s vision of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,” reaffirming the nation’s commitment to unity and integrity.
19. Ahmedabad: 17 Bangladeshi Women Living Illegally in Sola Detained; Suspected Involvement in Sex Trade
In Ahmedabad’s Sola area, police have detained 17 Bangladeshi women who were living in the city illegally. According to ACP H.M. Kansagra, the women were staying in rented houses while concealing their identities.
Preliminary investigation revealed that they had crossed the border with the help of agents and are suspected to be involved in the sex trade. The women were reportedly working as laborers.
Those detained are between 21 and 49 years old, and their Bangladeshi citizenship has been confirmed through documents. Police are conducting further investigation.
20. NDA Unveils ‘Sankalp Patra’ For Bihar Assembly Elections, Here are the Major Poll Promises
BJP President JP Nadda, CM Nitish Kumar, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, Upendra Kushwaha, and others have released the NDA’s election manifesto for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025.
– 1 crore government jobs and employment opportunities
– Goal to make 1 crore women in Bihar “Crorepati Didis”
– Guaranteed MSP for every crop for farmers
– Ensure ₹1 lakh crore investment to boost agricultural infrastructure
– Increase in Kisan Samman Nidhi and Fishermen’s Fund from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000
– Free education for children from ‘KG to PG’ for poor families
– Construction of an Education City with campuses of world’s top universities
– Metro construction in 4 new cities across the state
– Development of 7 new expressways in Bihar
– Nutritious breakfast along with mid-day meals in schools
– Renovation of major schools with ₹5,000 crore
– 50 lakh new permanent houses under PM Awas Yojana
– Free ration, 125 units of electricity, and medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh
– Development of Maa Janaki’s birthplace as a world-class spiritual city — Sitapuram
– Construction of Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Corridors
– Expansion of Ramayana, Jain, Buddhist, and Ganga Tourism Circuits
21. US Labour Department Releases Video on “Abuse” of H-1B Visa With Over 70% from India; Vilifies Indians
The US Department of Labour, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has launched a new social media campaign accusing companies of abusing the H-1B visa system. In a flippant charge, the Department brazenly claimed that the “abuse” of the H-1B visa process “stole” the Big American Dream, while painting Indians as the major benefactors of this “exploitative system.” The advertisement advances the shrill “outsiders stealing jobs” narrative, wrongly arguing that young American workers have been replaced with foreign employees.
The video vilifies the H-1B process and card holders — predominantly Indians — and could end up further aggravating racism and xenophobia already entrenched in American society. Over the past few years, the US has witnessed several racially-motivated hate crimes against Indians, including the infamous beheading of Indian hotelier Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah
Alarmingly, the current dominant force in the US — the white supremacist and MAGA movement — has been targeting Hindu American politicians, including Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, and former FBI official Kash Patel, for their belief system. This movement could further get encouragement from the evangelical and proselytizing remarks of its Vice President, with JD Vance publicly asking his “agnostic” (a euphemism to erase her Hindu identity) wife Usha to convert to Christianity.
22. Animal Smuggling: Two Rare ‘Silvery Gibbons’ Found in Foreigner’s Bag at Mumbai Airport; Fewer Than 2,500 Left in the World
At Mumbai Airport on October 30, 2025, the Customs Department carried out a major operation and recovered two endangered Silvery Gibbons from the bag of a foreign passenger arriving from Bangkok. Acting on a tip-off, officials found the animals hidden in a basket inside the trolley bag. One gibbon was already dead, while the other was found alive. These gibbons are native to Java Island in Indonesia and are listed as “endangered” by the IUCN, with fewer than 2,500 left in the world. The passenger has been arrested for wildlife smuggling, and further investigation is underway under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
23. Two Cows Die Under Suspicious Circumstances After Cobra Bite at Dwaraka Tirumala Temple; Three Cobras Also Found Dead
A shocking incident has come to light near the famous Dwaraka Tirumala Temple in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Devotees are living in fear after several sightings of poisonous snakes around the temple area.
Recently, two cows died after being bitten by snakes at the Chinna Venugopala Goshala located in Dwaraka Tirumala. The staff had taken the cows to Sapta Gokulam for a ritual known as Go Pooja. While the cows were grazing, they were reportedly bitten by three cobras. Both cows collapsed in severe pain and died soon after. When the temple staff moved the animals, they found the three cobras dead beneath them.
24. Jaunpur: Four Arrested for Alleged Religious Conversion Through Allurement; Police Recover Bibles and Conversion-Related Material
In Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur district, Chandvak police have arrested four people, including two women, for allegedly conducting illegal religious conversions by offering inducements. The accused have been identified as Geeta Devi, Ranjana Kumari, Sonu, and Vijay Kumar. Police recovered Bibles, Christian books, missionary registers, mobile phones, and a tablet containing chats and videos related to religious conversion. A case has been registered against them under the relevant sections of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Srivastava confirmed the action.
