QUICKREADS

From the HT newspaper: Top 10 stories you shouldn't miss today
The Congress party in the Indian state of Karnataka continues to struggle with selecting a new chief minister, with multiple claimants and regional leaders hoping to take advantage of the stalemate. A third contender has even thrown their hat into the ring, while influential community bodies are attempting to push their own candidates. The Congress leadership has met with chief ministerial aspirants Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, but no resolution has been reached.

After Maratha row, Banjaras demand ST quota in Maharashtra
Banjaras demand ST quota in Maharashtra, citing Hyderabad Gazette, sparking tensions with ST leaders. A Banjara youth's suicide highlights community's frustration. Political support and opposition emerge, with potential for further protests and conflict over reservation rights.

Just Like That | On wealth, succession and the legacy of family discord
Family wealth and power often breed discord, as seen in historical dynasties like Mughals and political families like the Gandhis. The recent Sunjay Kapur inheritance dispute highlights how greed can tear families apart, with multiple marriages, children, and legal battles over assets.

Blow to Maoist movement as Central Committee member Sujatha surrenders
C Sujatha, a Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist), surrendered to Telangana Police, marking a significant setback for the Maoist movement in Dandakaranya. With a reward of Rs 40 lakh on her head and wanted in over 70 cases, her surrender reflects the effectiveness of police operations and government rehabilitation policies, which have seen over 850 Maoist cadres reintegrate into society.

Nepali, Bangladeshi arrested at Mumbai airport with fake Indian passports
Two men, a 29-year-old Nepali and a 67-year-old Bangladeshi, were arrested at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for using fake Indian passports. They allegedly obtained the passports in Kolkata and traveled to various countries. Both face charges of cheating and forgery, with further investigations ongoing.

Vaishno Devi Yatra postponed till further orders due to heavy rainfall
The Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir has been postponed indefinitely due to heavy rainfall and safety concerns, as announced by the Shrine Board. The pilgrimage was already suspended for 14 days following landslides that resulted in fatalities. Authorities urge devotees to stay updated through official channels while local businesses face challenges due to the ongoing suspension.

‘Deeply insensitive’: Political tempers rise, boycott calls grow over India-Pakistan Asia Cup face-off
Political tensions rise over India-Pakistan Asia Cup match following the Pahalgam terror attack. Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena and AAP, call for boycott, citing national sentiments and disrespect to victims' families, while some leaders defend the game.

‘They don’t consider cow an animal’: PM Modi’s quip on animal lovers after stray dogs row
PM Modi mocked animal rights activists, suggesting they don't consider cows as animals, amid a controversy over Supreme Court's stray dog relocation directive. His comments drew laughter, highlighting ongoing debates about animal welfare and protection in India.

Lashkar-e-Taiba razes HQ hollowed out by India during Operation Sindoor, rushes to rebuild
Lashkar-e-Taiba demolished its Muridke headquarters after Indian Air Force strike, with Pakistani government funding reconstruction. The group aims to rebuild before its 2026 Kashmir convention, using both government funds and fundraising efforts.

More women pilots in India than West: Scindia
India boasts 15% women pilots, surpassing Western nations, according to Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. He highlighted female empowerment, promoting the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana savings scheme and announcing a new Passport Seva Kendra in Morena.

Took 2 bullets on knees to oust corrupt PM in Nepal: Protester
Protesters in Nepal, including injured students like Subhash Dahal, fought against government corruption, leading to 51 deaths. Former chief justice Sushila Karki became interim prime minister, promising elections in 2026, after violent clashes outside Parliament.

National index soon to rank state legislatures’ performance, says Birla
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla plans to launch a national legislative index ranking state assemblies based on performance metrics like sitting duration, debate quality, and public issue relevance, aiming to enhance legislative productivity and transparency.

No party wrote to boycott JPC on 3 bills to unseat jailed ministers, says Birla
No political party has formally written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla about boycotting the JPC on three bills regarding ministers' arrest. Birla says the committee will be formed with all parties, despite opposition concerns about transparency and manipulation.

ED can’t bypass due process when seizing property: HC
Delhi High Court rules ED must follow due process when seeking to retain seized property, mandating a formal order explaining the necessity of retention within 180 days, ensuring procedural safeguards protect individuals from arbitrary property seizures.

PM pushes to bridge ethnic divide in strife-torn Manipur
Prime Minister Modi visited Manipur, urging peace between Metei and Kuki-Zo communities. He inaugurated projects worth ₹8,500 crore, emphasized ending violence, and promised government support for restoring normalcy in the strife-torn state.

Courts cannot fix time to revise poll rolls, ECI tells Supreme Court on nationwide SIR
The Election Commission of India argues against judicial mandates for poll roll revisions, asserting its constitutional authority to conduct electoral updates at its discretion. The Supreme Court is hearing a petition seeking mandatory special revisions to prevent potential illegal voter entries.