
News Menu, June 5: Bengaluru stampede; Kamal Haasan film released amid Kannada row
Good morning. On June 5, 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Bluestar to remove Sikh militants from Amritsar's Golden Temple. The militants, led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, were spearheading an armed movement for a separate Sikh state, called Khalistan (the land of the pure). This morning too we have a news menu stained with a tragedy.Bitter Cup: Bengaluru Stampede TragedyadvertisementA stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2025 victory celebration claimed 11 lives, including a child, and injured 47 fans. The chaos erupted as thousands, estimated at 2–3 lakh, converged on the 35,000-capacity stadium, overwhelming crowd control measures.
CM Siddaramaiah announced Rs10 lakh ex-gratia for victims' families and ordered a magisterial inquiry, referencing past incidents like the Kumbh Mela stampede but denying defensiveness.BJP slammed the Congress government for 'criminal negligence,' with leaders like Amit Malviya and Tejaswi Surya accusing CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of prioritising photo-ops with cricketers over safety.Virat Kohli expressed grief, stating he was 'lost for words' over the tragedy. Eyewitnesses reported fans climbing walls and fences, with police struggling to manage the surge. Inside the stadium, the felicitation ceremony was cut short within 10 minutes. Bengaluru bureau to investigate responsibility, timeline, and case studies.advertisementCoffee with Congress: Rahul's Haryana OverhaulRahul Gandhi continues his 'Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan' in Chandigarh on Thursday, meeting Haryana Congress leaders to strategise for state polls. After his Bhopal visit, Gandhi emphasised clearing out 'lame horses' to make way for new leadership, signalling a bold restructuring of the party. His focus is on post-poll recovery and energising the cadre, with no room for old warhorses like the Hoodas to disrupt the race.Political Pulse: Maharashtra's Sena SagaUddhav Thackeray's openness to alliances for Maharashtra's welfare puts the ball in Raj Thackeray's court ahead of BMC and local body elections. Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) is ready to collaborate, but will Raj's MNS join hands, or will Shinde's Sena and BJP capitalise on the Marathi vote to counter UBT? India Today analyses the egos at play.Southern Stew: Kamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' ReleaseKamal Haasan's 'Thug Life' releases worldwide, but Karnataka bans screenings amid controversy over his 'Kannada born of Tamil' remark. Tamil Nadu allows early morning shows. The linguistic row continues to fuel Karnataka-Tamil Nadu tensions.Monsoon Mess: Northeast Flood CrisisNortheast India battles severe floods and landslides, with 36 deaths reported, including 11 in Assam. Arunachal Pradesh remains under a Red Alert as PM Modi reviews relief efforts in a high-level meeting in New Delhi, focusing on infrastructure support and rehabilitation.advertisementDefence Dal: Rafale's Missile DefenceIndian Air Force pilots used Rafale aircraft to jam and defuse Pakistan's PL-15 missiles during a recent attack, with none hitting their targets. India Today serves a detailed story on the operation, highlighting the IAF's strategic prowess amid heightened tensions post-Pahalgam attack.Tech Tonic: Ed-Tech Data LeakA cybersecurity firm uncovered a critical data leak at a major Indian ed-tech platform, exposing Aadhaar numbers, addresses, and academic details of millions, including children of defence personnel at sensitive locations. The breach raises national security and privacy concerns.Spiritual Spice: Ram Darbar ConsecrationAyodhya hosts the Ram Darbar consecration on June 5, led by CM Yogi Adityanath, marking the second major ceremony since January 2024. The private event at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi includes deity worship and idol installation across 21 shrines, coinciding with Yogi's 53rd birthday and the Saryu River's Trayodashi anniversary.Mumbai Masala: Auto Driver's Lucrative HustleA Mumbai auto driver earns 5–8 lakh monthly by offering bag storage for US Consulate visitors, without driving his vehicle. Rahul Rupani's LinkedIn post highlights this innovative business model. India Today explores this story from Mumbai.advertisementCricket Curry: Gill-Gambhir PresserIndia's cricket captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir address the media at 7:30 PM, discussing team strategies and upcoming series.Punjab Pulse: Operation Bluestar AnniversaryAmritsar braces for the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6, with Dal Khalsa's 'Genocide Remembrance March' and a planned shutdown on Thursday. Tensions rise over Akal Takht's potential address. India Today tracks the Sikh community factionalism.Bitter Pill: Vaishnavi Hagawane CaseIPS officer Jalindar Supekar and Police Inspector Shashikant Chavan face scrutiny in the Vaishnavi Hagawane death case. Supekar has been transferred, and five arrests, including co-accused Nilesh Chavan, have been made. Evidence against Chavan, who was promoted despite serious charges, is under review. Omkar Wable to track.Legal Ladle: Courtroom UpdatesadvertisementDPS Dwarka Expulsion: Delhi High Court to rule on parents' plea against the expulsion of 32 students for unpaid fees, questioning the school's fee hike and notice process.Najeeb Ahmed Case: Rouse Avenue Court to deliver its order on CBI's closure report in the missing JNU student case, citing no evidence of Najeeb's hospital visit.Land-for-Jobs Scam: Rouse Avenue Court continues hearing ED's chargesheet naming Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and others.Satyendar Jain Case: Rouse Avenue Court hears CBI's corruption chargesheet against the former Delhi minister.M.F. Husain Paintings: Patiala House Court may rule on a plea seeking FIR against Delhi Art Gallery for exhibiting controversial M.F. Husain paintings.Operation Sindoor Espionage: Accused Hasin and Qasim, arrested for spying for Pakistan, to be produced in Patiala House Court. Delhi Police presented evidence of Hasin's attempt to honeytrap a DRDO official.Parting BiteThe Bengaluru stampede turned a moment of triumph into tragedy, exposing gaps in crowd management and sparking political blame games. As investigations unfold, the loss of 11 lives underscores the need for accountability and better planning to ensure celebrations don't cost lives.
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Hindustan Times
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New Indian Express
17 minutes ago
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Hindustan Times
40 minutes ago
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Reunion of Thackerays: What people of Maharashtra want will happen, says Uddhav
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday added fuel to the growing speculation of a potential reunion with his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray ahead of local body polls in the state, saying that whatever the people of Maharashtra want will happen. Leaders from Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), meanwhile, said that their party chief was waiting for a concrete proposal from the Shiv Sena (UBT) for an alliance before taking any further steps. Responding to a question on the possibility of a reunion during a press conference, Uddhav Thackeray gave a cryptic reply. 'Maharashtra's wish will be fulfilled,' he said. 'What the people of Maharashtra want will definitely happen. There is no confusion about it among our party workers and their party workers.' Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the reunion process had started. 'Who knows, both Raj and Uddhav might have spoken with each other. Such talks don't happen by informing others. But let me tell you that the process is on and it would be fruitful,' he said. MNS leaders, however, said that Raj Thackeray will not react to any reunion talk unless the Shiv Sena (UBT) sends a formal alliance proposal. 'We know what the wish of Maharashtra is, but what's more important is what's on the mind of Uddhav Thackeray?' said MNS Mumbai president Sandeep Deshpande. 'We can come a hundred steps ahead, but they should initiate the first step.' Deshpande also pointed to previous attempts at an alliance between the MNS and the undivided Shiv Sena ahead of the 2014 assembly elections and 2017 Mumbai civic polls, which he described as 'a bad experience'. However, Raj Thackeray has held a closed-door meeting with senior party leaders to seek their opinion on the matter, according to a party insider. Several MNS leaders favoured an alliance with the Shiv Sena (UBT), but Thackeray told his colleagues not to speak on the topic without his permission, the leader added. Asked for his reaction on MNS's demand for a concrete proposal, Uddhav Thackeray said, 'Instead of giving any indications, we will give you the news directly.' Speculation of an alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS ahead of local body polls across the state, likely to be held after the monsoon, began in April when Raj Thackeray indicated that he was open to reuniting with his cousin nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways. In a podcast with filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, he suggested that past differences with Uddhav were 'trivial' and expressed openness to reuniting for the Marathi people. Uddhav reciprocated immediately, stating he too was ready to keep aside minor differences and join hands with Raj 'to protect Mumbai, Maharashtra and Marathi'. Since then, there has been no significant development, although senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have spoken in favour of the reunion. The speculation picked up pace last week after local leaders from both parties came together in Dombivli to protest against an incomplete flyover. Significantly, on the ground, there is enthusiasm among the party cadre on both sides. On Thursday, MNS leaders in Nashik invited local Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders for a get-together while inaugurating a new office. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders even gifted a picture of the two Thackeray brothers to the MNS office. Reacting to the speculation, the Maharashtra Congress said it would welcome the alliance between its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partner Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS if it is in the interest of the state. 'There has been a talk from both Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS that they will join hands to protect Maharashtra's interests and keep the communal BJP away. If the two parties are coming together for this, we will welcome the move,' state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said. Maharashtra chief minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said it was for Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray to decide whether their parties should forge an alliance, and that he had nothing to do with it. When asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) chief's remarks, Fadnavis told reporters in Gadchiroli: 'It is for Raj Thackeray to react to Uddhav Thackeray's comments that what people want will happen. How am I connected to it? They will decide whether to have an alliance or not.'