Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India, on Friday asked opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav to discuss allegations of electoral irregularities in Parliament. This decision comes as the opposition prepares to hold a large rally against Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner.
Amit Shah's Challenge
Amit Shah said in this regard: "I am ready to hold a special parliamentary session to discuss the allegations of vote theft." He also accused the opposition of making baseless claims against the Election Commission and holding protests without discussion in Parliament.
These statements come as the opposition bloc named INDIA is preparing to hold a symbolic "public impeachment" of Kumar on Saturday. This rally will take place at Ramleela Maidan in New Delhi on November 1, with around 30 speakers from 21 opposition parties participating.
Opposition Claims
The opposition has called for Kumar's resignation due to his role in the special review of electoral rolls and the cancellation of this process, claiming that it may disenfranchise some voters and benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rahul Gandhi, in his invitation to the November 1 rally, stated: "Anyone who cares about democracy should come." He also wrote in his post on social media platform X: "The vote belongs to you. This struggle also belongs to you."
Meanwhile, the Youth Congress Party (CJP), led by youth, has also supported this rally and announced that it will back any organization that strives for free and fair elections in India.
Other Incidents in India
In other news, a German citizen was among two people who died in a suspected electrocution in a five-star hotel pool in Bangalore. The incident occurred at the Conrad Hotel, where two individuals, one aged 57 from Germany and the other 45 from Slovakia, were swimming when it happened. An American tourist and a hotel staff member were also injured while trying to rescue the victims, but their condition is stable and they are expected to be discharged soon.
Additionally, India is set to conduct its next population census from January 25 to February 28, 2027, with a review exercise from March 1 to 5. According to officials, the self-enumeration option will be available from January 10 to 24. This census will cover all states and union territories, except for a few specific areas that will have separate plans.
Student Rally at the University
On Friday, students of Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi held a victory march after the university agreed to revive the student union and set a timeline for elections. This agreement came after a 18-day hunger strike by students to revive the union. Previously, tensions had escalated, with some students claiming that police had attacked them.
Following an official order from the university management, the university has committed to finalize the union's constitution by May 15, 2027, and to hold student union elections within six weeks of the start of the next academic term. The Jamia Millia Islamia student union was dissolved in 2006.
In another news, New Delhi experienced temperatures more reminiscent of a winter day than an October afternoon on Friday. With a maximum temperature of 20.7 degrees Celsius, this is considered the lowest daily temperature in October in 75 years. This day followed two days of continuous rain and has also helped improve the city's air quality.
Finally, the Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched a navigation satellite into space on Friday night to create a domestic alternative to the country's GPS system. This satellite, NVS-03, is the third in the next-generation navigation series and is designed to enhance the NavIC navigation network.
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