Good morning. On June 7, 1893, a young Mahatma Gandhi, then a lawyer in South Africa, was forcibly removed from a first-class train compartment despite holding a valid ticket, solely because of his race. This incident sparked his lifelong commitment to civil disobedience and the fight against injustice, shaping India’s freedom struggle.
India Today presents a news menu flavoured with faith, tragedy, and transformation, reflecting a nation balancing celebration and challenges.
Bitter Cup: Bengaluru Stampede Fallout
A complaint has been filed against Virat Kohli by Karnataka activist HM Venkatesh at Cubbon Park police station, alleging negligence in the Bengaluru stampede that killed 11 during RCB’s IPL victory celebration. Anger against the organisers is justified, but how is a player responsible for mismanagement of a crowd? But such blame-games have a precedent. In December 2024, actor Allu Arvind was arrested for a stampede outside a Hyderabad theatre screening his film.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police arrested RCB’s marketing head, Nikhil Sosale, and detained three DNA Entertainment staff members following the stampede. Sosale, arrested at Bengaluru airport en route to Mumbai, has moved the Karnataka High Court, calling his arrest “illegal.” Three FIRs target RCB management, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment for poor crowd control. India Today tracks this tragic fallout of celebrations.
Case filed against RCB, KSCA, and others. Bengaluru bureau to track.
Kashmiri Kahwa: Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train begins commercial operations today, following its inauguration by PM Narendra Modi yesterday. The service marks a significant boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s connectivity, reducing the travel time to Srinagar dramatically. The challenge, however, would be the security of passengers, especially in the wake of the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam.
Faith Flavour: Eid-ul-Azha Preparations
Eid-ul-Azha begins today, with Delhi, UP, and Mumbai police ensuring peaceful celebrations through heightened security and community engagements. Delhi’s advisory bans illegal animal sacrifices, mandating designated locations and hygiene protocols, with a prohibition on sharing sacrificial media online.
Global Ghee: Bangladesh Election Dates
Bangladesh’s interim government advisor, Dr Md Yunus, announced national elections for the first half of April 2026, outlining a democratic roadmap in a national address. With polls almost a year away, this seems like a desperate attempt to signal the return of democracy amid political chaos and conspiracies.
Diplomatic Tadka: Canada’s G7 Invite
Canadian PM Mark Carney invites PM Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit, signalling bilateral ties are on the mend since the exit of Justin Trudeau.
Mathura Morsel: Monkey Heist Recovered
In Mathura, police recovered jewellery worth Rs 20 lakh stolen by a monkey from a tourist, bringing a quirky resolution to a high-value theft. What would have the monkey done with all the glitter? There’s some serious monkey business happening in the holy town.
Parting Bite: Mahatma’s Ordeal
This is how Mahatma Gandhi described his ordeal in South Africa in his autobiography: “The constable came. He took me by the hand and pushed me out. My luggage was also taken out. I refused to go to the other compartment and the train steamed away. It was winter, and winter in the higher regions of South Africa is severely cold. Maritzburg being at a high altitude, the cold was extremely bitter. My overcoat was in my luggage, but I did not dare to ask for it lest I should be insulted again, so I sat and shivered.”
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