When the story of Harish Rana captured the collective prayers of an entire nation, people paused, empathised, and watched the Supreme Court judgement unfold as it passed a historic decision allowing passive euthanasia for Rana, who was in a vegetative state for over 13 years
Oil prices rose above $110 (£82.78) a barrel after Iranian media reported an airstrike hitting a facility on the world's largest natural gas field. The Brent crude oil benchmark hit $112 a barrel in early Thursday trade in Asia, more than 5% higher than Tuesday's prices
US Vice President JD Vance and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will meet with oil industry leaders. The administration plans to announce measures to lower gas prices. These include releasing oil from emergency reserves and easing shipping regulations
Milk has long been a cornerstone of Indian diets, simple, familiar, and deeply rooted in tradition. But in urban India, that narrative is rapidly evolving. Today’s consumers are no longer satisfied with just a glass of milk; they are seeking products that align with their fast-paced lifestyles
On March 14, the Narendra Modi government announced that it had decided to end Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act – nearly six months after his arrest. The Union home ministry is not known to have made such a concession for any detainee held
Congress to launch nationwide protest to demand repeal of VB-G RAM G Act
The Congress will launch a nationwide protest from January 5 to demand the repeal of the 2025 Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, said party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee in New Delhi, Kharge stated that an oath had been taken to protect the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act under all circumstances.
“MGNREGA is not a scheme, it is the right to work granted by the Constitution of India,” the Congress chief said. “We will unite and struggle for the dignity of rural labourers, employment, wages, and the right to timely payment, and protect the right to demand-based employment and gram sabha.”
He added that the party will also democratically oppose every “conspiracy to erase” Mahatma Gandhi's name from MGNREGA.
The 2025 Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill was given assent by the president on December 21, two days after it was passed by Parliament amid protests by Opposition parties. The new rural employment law will replace the MGNREGA.
The MGNREGA was introduced in 2005 by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance and aimed at enhancing the livelihood security of households in rural areas. The scheme guaranteed 100 days of unskilled work annually for every rural household that wants it, covering all districts in the country.
Under the new law, the number of guaranteed workdays will increase to 125, while states' share of costs will rise to 40%. The Union government will continue to bear the wage component, with states sharing material and administrative expenses.
The legislation has drawn criticism from economists and labour rights experts.
On Saturday, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also noted that MGNREGA was not just a work programme but a conceptual development framework that has been appreciated across the world.
“This has been destroyed single-handedly by the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] without asking his Cabinet, without studying the matter,” Gandhi said. “This is an attack on the states of India because they are simply taking away money that belongs to the state, decision-making power that belongs to the state.”
He added that the party was going to fight the replacement of the Act, adding that he was confident that the entire Opposition was going to be aligned with them.
Kharge also flagged the deletion of voters during the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission, claiming that it was a “well-planned conspiracy” to limit democratic rights, ANI reported.
Noting that it was a matter of serious concern, the Congress chief claimed that the “collusion” between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre and the Election Commission was “well known to all”.
He said that Rahul Gandhi had also previously presented evidence of “vote theft” in the country with facts and examples.
Gandhi and the Congress have repeatedly accused the Election Commission of large-scale vote rigging, including in the Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly polls held in 2024, alleging what they called “industrial-scale rigging involving the capture of national institutions.” The Election Commission has rejected those allegations.
“We must ensure that the names of our voters are not deleted,” Kharge said. He also directed party workers to ensure that the votes of marginalised communities were not removed or transferred to other booths.
The poll panel is conducting the revision in 12 states and Union Territories. Booth-level officers began distributing enumeration forms on November 4. Overall, around 3.6 crore electors in 11 states and Union Territories have been deleted so far in the exercise.
The draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to be published on December 31.
The final electoral rolls for all states and Union Territories where the exercise is underway are to be published on February 14.
In Bihar, where the revision was completed ahead of the Assembly polls in November, at least 47 lakh voters were excluded from the final electoral roll published on September 30.
Concerns had been raised after the announcement in Bihar that the exercise could remove eligible voters from the roll. Several petitioners also moved the Supreme Court against it.
The Congress chief on Friday also condemned the attacks on the Christian community during Christmas celebrations by organisations that he claimed were linked to the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, adding that this had disturbed communal harmony and tainted India's image globally.
The RSS is the parent organisation of the ruling BJP at the Centre.
Several incidents of attacks on Christians or disruptions to Christmas celebrations have been reported in the past week.
The Congress Working Committee meeting on Friday comes ahead of Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry next year.
Also read:
Source: Scroll
Related Posts: Israelis stage nationwide protests to demand end to Gaza war and release of hostages Bank Employees Plan Nationwide Strike On January 27 Over 5-Day Work Week Demand BJP Gears Up For Nationwide Campaign To Counter Congress On G-RAM-G Scheme Row J&K Statehood demand sparks faceoff as NC MLAs protest Congress to Launch ‘Save MGNREGA’ Movement in Assam from January 10 Nationwide Bank Strike Today Delivery Workers Across Platforms To Hold Nationwide Strike On December 25 And 31 PM Modi launches nationwide human papillomavirus vaccine drive in Ajmer to prevent cervical cancer BJP Plans Nationwide Campaign Projecting Attack On Bengal MP Khagen Murmu As Assault On Adivasi Community Banking services disrupted as bank employees go on nationwide strike
What had long been a well-known reality of Indian football — one that fans had pointed out for years, often to no avail due to the ineptitude of the AIFF — was once again thrown into the spotlight. Former Bengaluru FC stalwart Erik Paartalu opened up about his life in India
6 hours ago
Lionel Messi smashes Cristiano Ronaldo record with fastest 900 goals, but Inter Miami crash out in brutal twist Updated on: Mar 19, 2026 7:58 AM IST Written by Aratrick Mondal Share via Copy link Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks to kick a corner kick in heavy rain during the first half of a
7 hours ago
India’s environment ministry notified the new solid waste management rules of 2026 on January 27, superseding the 2016 rules. The new rules signal a shift towards a more systematic compliance architecture, with a clearer outline of duties for waste generators
6 hours ago
The sun shone brightly across Liverpool on Wednesday and, come the evening, Liverpool delivered one of their performances of the season. "It was almost the perfect game for us, but definitely our fans," said Arne Slot, after his side secured a first Champions League quarter-final since 2022 with a
6 hours ago
SC says 1947 Act repeal no bar to defining ‘industry’The Supreme Court ruled that the repeal of the Industrial Disputes Act won't change how "industry" is defined, impacting ongoing disputes in courts. Published on: Mar 19, 2026 7:46 AM IST By Abraham Thomas
7 hours ago
China has long braced for a Gulf oil supply shock - but the Iran war's disruption of a key global shipping route is now putting its resilience to the test. Energy shipments from the Middle East have been at a standstill following Iran's threats to attack vessels that pass through a critical trade
7 hours ago
The Income-tax Act, 2025 will come into force, replacing the Income-tax Act, 1961 that has been in place for over 60 years. Instead of tinkering with tax rates, the government has focused on rewriting the law in a clearer, more structured manner. Over time
7 hours ago
The Donald Trump-led US administration has taken the rare step of preparing a temporary waiver for the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act. This move comes as the United States grapples with a historic surge in fuel prices triggered by the escalating conflict between the US
6 hours ago
Players from the Iran women’s national football team have reportedly returned home after a dramatic and politically charged episode during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. According to Fars News Agency, the squad crossed back into Iran via the Bazargan border
7 hours ago
US Fed holds interest rate steady at 3.5-3.75% despite higher inflationUS Federal Reserve has guided for a single interest rate cut in 2026 as officials took stock of economic impact of Iran war on US economy. Updated on: Mar 18, 2026 11:39 PM IST Reuters Share via Copy link The US Federal Reserve
7 hours ago
Indian man wanted by FBI for defrauding victims in the US: What did Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel do?The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a hunt for an India national named Kalpeshkumar Rasikbhai Patel Published on: Mar 19, 2026 6:20 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link The Federal
6 hours ago
Kerala's UDF, led by Congress and IUML, will contest 95 and 27 seats respectively in the upcoming assembly polls. The alliance aims to leverage recent electoral successes and anti-incumbency against the ruling LDF. Nominations close March 23, with voting on April 9 and results on May 4.Kerala's UDF
6 hours ago
Sc tells courts to notify convicts before appointing an amicus curiaeThe Supreme Court mandates notification to convicts before appointing amicus curiae to ensure fairness in appeals and prevent claims of unfair hearings. Published on: Mar 19, 2026 7:50 AM IST By Utkarsh Anand
7 hours ago
The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹33,660-crore scheme to establish 100 plug-and-play industrial parks nationwide, aiming to boost manufacturing and create 15 lakh direct jobs. Additionally, a ₹2,585-crore plan for small hydro power development and a national highway project in Uttar Pradesh
7 hours ago
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar fever continues as the next instalment in the franchise, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, was released on Wednesday evening. Many queued up to watch the film on the first day itself, including Allu Arjun, who then took to X to share his review of the film. Now
7 hours ago
The Delhi High Court has halted legal proceedings against Bina Modi, chairperson of Godfrey Phillips India, and others. This action follows a complaint by former executive director Samir Modi alleging assault. Samir Modi claims he was physically attacked by his mother's security officer
7 hours ago
La Liga champions Barcelona moved into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a commanding 7-2 win over Newcastle in the second leg of their Round of 16 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha netted a brace each, while Lamine Yamal
6 hours ago
The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced. A Labubu movie that will combine live action and computer-generated animation is in "early development", the two companies said in a statement
6 hours ago
Obstructing demolition at hotel: Ex-MP Rinku, former MLAs Angural, Beri among 24 bookedThe Jalandhar MC on Tuesday evening demolished a portion of the hotel owned by Chopra Hotels Private Limited, an entity associated with the Punjab Kesari group Published on: Mar 19
7 hours ago
Love Horoscope March 19, 2026: A thoughtful Gesture Could Brighten Your DayDaily Love Horoscope for Feb 1, 2026: Explore relationship insights and emotional guidance for all sun signs today. Published on: Mar 19, 2026 6:02 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Today
7 hours ago
Atanu Chakraborty resigns as HDFC Bank's part-time chairman due to ‘ethical concerns’Keki Mistry, who serves on the HDFC Bank board, is taking charge as interim part-time chairman immediately, for a period of three months. Updated on: Mar 19
6 hours ago
The Artesh, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, is the conventional military of Iran, separate from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the IRGC focuses on safeguarding the ideological system, the Artesh is tasked with defending Iran’s territorial integrity and borders
6 hours ago
Prem Chopra recalls why he couldn't attend weddings, family functions without scaring female guests: Dad had to explain…Prem Chopra also said that Amitabh Bachchan's son-in-law Nikhil Nanda once got petrified and refused to enter his grandaunt's home for this reason. Mar 19, 2026
6 hours ago
Just a day after resigning from Congress, Assam Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi on Wednesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state BJP president Dilip Saikia. The development came after Bordoloi on Tuesday tendered his
6 hours ago
The Union government directed airlines to allocate a minimum of 60% of the seats on every flight without selection charges to ensure fair access. Airlines are also required to seat passengers travelling on the same Passenger Name Record together “preferably in adjacent seats”
6 hours ago
Humour and science fiction may not seem obvious bedfellows but a history of cinema will tell you different. Think Spaceballs, Mars Attacks! and Everything Everwhere All At Once to name but a few. And now Ryan Gosling is hopping on board. The 45-year-old is both the lead actor and producer of
6 hours ago
Even as the 8th Pay Commission (8th CPC) has extended the deadline to submit responses to its 18-question document related to pay, allowances and other job-related conditions of central government employees, Indian Railways Technical Supervisors’ Association (IRTSA) wants more elements to be
6 hours ago
