Signing you in

In a major political development on campus, the student wings of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal have announced a last-minute alliance for the Panjab University elections. The Student Organisation of India, the student wing of the Akali Dal, is backing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad candidate. The development has triggered speculation over a potential political realignment between the parent parties ahead of upcoming assembly elections. While BJP leaders publicly deny any tie-up with the Akali Dal, leaders like Bikram Majithia and Harsimrat Badal have previously indicated the need for an alliance. The student election is viewed as a significant precursor to state-level political equations.

A political battle has erupted in Tamil Nadu regarding the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Tensions escalated after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders pitched party chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay as a future Prime Minister. In response, Congress ministers Rajesh Kumar and Viswanathan asserted that TVK must endorse Rahul Gandhi as the alliance's prime ministerial candidate for 2029, warning that both Congress ministers would resign if TVK refuses. Meanwhile, DMK leader RS Bharathi questioned the Congress's standing amid the developments. The Congress responded by dismissing TVK's claims as fantasies, pointing out that any prime ministerial aspirant requires the support of 272 Members of Parliament. This debate follows the latest India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation poll, which placed Vijay at number three in the national prime ministerial preference rankings behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

A political controversy has emerged in Kerala following remarks by an Islamic cleric stating that women without a veil are destructive and restricting women from being presented on public stages. The Kerala Minister for Women and Child Development strongly criticized the statements, stating that the Constitution of India guarantees equal rights to both women and men regardless of gender, and that people have the right to lead a free life. Political parties, including the ruling Left and the opposition, alongside progressive groups and women from the community, condemned the cleric's statements as regressive. The cleric defended the position, stating that religious teachings were addressed to believers who choose to listen and would continue regardless of opposition. Critics emphasized that constitutional principles of equality and freedom must supersede religious views in a democratic society, noting the historical leadership of women globally.